Background
Arizona Zeta Beta Tau, otherwise known as "ZBT" is located at 1017 East 1st Street, Tucson Arizona. This site embodies the Arizona chapter( Alpha Omicron) of the nation wide fraternity that is ZBT. ZBT is commonly known for historically being an all Jewish fraternity. ZBT dates all the way back to 1898 and more than 140,000 members have been initiated into this group. This organization was founded by a professor of Colombia in order to gather a sense of community of Jewish students who, at the time, were not allowed to join fraternities. ZBT was a strictly Jewish community until the year 1989, and started to accept any member no matter their religion standpoint. Zeta Beta Tau is one of the largest, well-known fraternities in the United States. The Arizona location is one of the largest chapters of the Zeta Beta Tau organization and has been home to thousands of men while studying at the University of Arizona.
Past History
Zeta Beta Tau has been on campus since 1926. When it was founded, it was known as a strictly Jewish fraternity and did not permit anyone who was not Jewish into the house. Until around 1989, Arizona Zeta Beta Tau was built for creating a sense of Jewish community in the University of Arizona. The original Zeta Beta Tau house was located at 1011 N Tyndall Ave, which is currently home to the Arizona Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Arizona Zeta Beta Tau has always been one of the most successful ZBT chapters. Similar to now, they would also have two philanthropy events and donate their raised money to The Children's Miracle Network. Their events typically included a Belly Flop Competition and Flag Football Tournament. In 1972, 1989, and 1990, the Alpha Omicron chapter won the Brummer Cup which is the award for Most Outstanding Chapter in the Zeta Beta Tau organization.
Current History
Arizona Zeta Beta Tau was founded in 1926, since then ZBT has recolonized 5 times at the University of Arizona, making this the fifth chapter to exist at the UA. The current Arizona chapter started in April of 2013. Arizona ZBT currently houses around 50 members each year in their house located on greek row at the University of Arizona. There is about 150 initiated members of this organization. Each year they have an official Fall and Spring rush to gain more brothers to keep the organization at around 150 members. Depending on the numbers they receive from their national organization, they usually take around 20-25 in the Fall semester and around 15 in the Spring semester.
They received their official charter from the National office on April 22,2017 which fully established them as an official representative of Zeta Beta Tau. Since then Arizona ZBT has received the Barry D Siegal award ( Most successful recruitment) in 2016, and the Chapter of Excellence award from the University of Arizona in 2018. Their house grade point average currently sits around a 3.5, one of the best of greek life on campus. They also have started multiple philanthropy events including Cup for a Cure and the ZBT Rodeo. This organization puts on two events that encourage families and friends to donate, and sororities to participate in the Rodeo and Soccer tournament hosted. They donate all the money raised to their organization of choice, The Children's Miracle Network. Last Spring their Cup for A Cure philanthropy event raised over 25,000 dollars!
Zeta Beta Tau has housed hundred of men that have studied at the University of Arizona. Most alumni of the organization would describe the decision to join this organization one of their best decisions while being in college. Zeta Beta Tau has given many men the opportunity to make lifelong friendships and memories. They pride themselves on being a non-discriminating organization where you can make vital connections and learn social responsibility and integrity.
Arizona ZBT's goal is to foster and develop in its brotherhood the tenets of its Credo: Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity and Brotherly Love, in order to prepare its brothers for positions of leadership and service within their communities.
Sources:
https://zbt.org/about-zbt/mission-and-credo/
