Psi U Launches Diversity Initiative

Ellie Fantwolk ’28

Pike Pledge

In a bold attempt to improve its image, Psi Upsilon, a Trinity fraternity with a long and colorful history of hazing incidents and casual racism in the big 26, unveiled a “revolutionary” new diversity initiative this week: a system to “quantify inclusivity.” 

According to fraternity leadership, for every five blonde girls admitted to the house, the fraternity must now accept three students from “diverse backgrounds.” Each brother is also required to wear a 10-inch name tag at all Greek life events, listing their pronouns and favorite social justice cause.

“We realize we had to step up,” Psi U president Mike Coxlong ’26 said, while adjusting a bright rainbow sash over his polo shirt. “Like, we made an Excel sheet, there’s colors, it’s going to be so touse.” 

The fraternity’s reopening marks what members describe as a significant cultural shift, with leadership highlighting new policies and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and improving the organization’s standing on campus.

Despite the stated goals, the initiative has drawn skepticism from both parents and faculty. Maya Patel ’26, a member of the campus diversity coalition, said the program seems to prioritize perception over substantive change. “Counting or not counting members from specific demographics does not automatically create an inclusive culture,” Patel said. “It’s a formula, not a community.”

Other students have expressed amusement at the fraternity’s methods, pointing to its performative aspects. “I heard they are giving points out for pronouns and social justice causes at parties,” said one student who asked to stay anonymous. “It’s giving when Greek life meets the oppression Olympics.”

Some members of Psi U, however, expressed frustration with how the initiative has been received on campus. “It’s not clocking to them that we’re standing on business,” Joe Bianchi ’27 said in an interview with the Tripod. “People keep making jokes but we are taking this seriously. Deadass.” He added that the fraternity’s system was “pretty fair overall,” noting that “once you see the spreadsheet, it honestly checks out.”

This program has also created tensions with other fraternities. Sources indicate that several prospective members were cut during the first rounds of pledging for Psi U, with many later accepting bids from Kappa Sigma (KSig), which has a reputation on campus for being more diverse and inclusive. “It all worked out,” KSig brother Leo Lopez ‘27 said.

Psi U members however, described the situation differently. “Yeah we had a couple of those guys rush,” Mike Hunt ’26, former pledge master, told the Tripod. “Super inclusive dudes, probably a little too inclusive for us right now. We’re just dabbling in this diversity thing for now.”

Chris P. White ’27, another Psi U brother, emphasized the importance of maintaining balance within the new system. “It’s all about ratios,” he explained. “If you go too diverse too fast, the spreadsheet gets kinda confusing. We’re just trying to keep it organized.” When asked to elaborate on ratios, White admitted he was still figuring it out himself. 

College officials said they would continue monitoring Psi U’s activities but acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing standards for inclusivity. “We can require policies and training, but we cannot legislate culture,” said Dick Enbauls, director of the College’s Community and Belonging Department. 

Even within Psi U, some members admitted they were still adjusting to the new requirements. “The name tag’s whatever,” Bianchi said. “Mine says my pronouns are ‘he/him’ and my cause is, like, saving the oceans. I really resonate with Moana, so I vibe with it.” Another member noted that the initiative has already changed recruitment conversations. “Before, we’d just vibe with the guys,” Hunt said. “Now we’re like, ‘What’s your background?’ and ‘Do you have a cause?’ One kid said climate change and we were like, yeah, that sounds legit.”

Fraternity officials said the program will also include workshops, lectures and mandatory attendance at diversity events. According to Coxlong, the goal is to integrate these programs into social life rather than optional add-ons. 

Some members appear to be taking that integration seriously. “We’re doing this brunch thing called ‘Pronouns and Pancakes,’” Hunt said. “You say your pronouns, grab some pancakes, talk about, like, issues. It’s honestly gonna be a pretty good time.”

Still, Psi U appears committed to its new direction. The fraternity has also introduced what it calls a “diversity leaderboard,” where members earn points for attending workshops, completing online training modules and posting their pronouns on social media.

Some brothers expressed enthusiasm for the system. “I’m actually leading right now,” Bianchi said. “I went to two workshops and posted like three pretty niche mutual aid infographics on my story. Trying to lock in Diversity Brother of the month.”

Whether it succeeds or not, Psi U’s approach to inclusivity is impossible to miss, mostly because every brother is wearing a 10-inch name tag. 

“Honestly ten inches is lightwork,” White stated. Several brothers nodded a little too quickly in agreement.