Phi Kappa Psi responds to controversy over President Woodrow Wilson
UPDATED July 22, 2020 – At the virtual Executive Council (EC) meeting held July 18, 2020, the EC unanimously voted to remove Woodrow Wilson’s name from Phi Kappa Psi’s biennial Woodrow Wilson Leadership School (WWLS) that coincides with district council meetings. This decision in no way condemns Woodrow Wilson as a brother of Phi Kappa Psi. Rather it reinforces Phi Psi’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to making the brotherhood a safe and welcoming place for all.
The future of the leadership school is still being discussed. Members of the Headquarters staff and EC are working closely to determine how we will conduct future district council meetings and what a successful leadership program may include.
June 30, 2020 – Over the past month, our country has seen a surge in movements supporting equality for Black Americans following the death of George Floyd. In response to these movements, several higher education institutions are reviewing the names of people celebrated on their campus that have ties to racism and segregation. On June 27, Princeton University announced that it will remove the name of Phi Kappa Psi alumnus, Woodrow Wilson Virginia 1879, from its public policy school and one of its residential colleges. You can read the full statement from the university here.
Historically, Phi Kappa Psi has held a biennial Woodrow Wilson Leadership School (WWLS) that coincides with district council meetings. In the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter movements, we have received inquiries from members about the Fraternity’s plans and the name of the leadership school. This has been a topic of conversation among our leadership team for the last year and the renaming of the leadership school will be discussed at the upcoming Executive Council (EC) meeting. All Phi Kappa Psi members in good standing are invited to attend the EC meeting via Zoom on July 18, 2020. Advance registration is required to participate.
In January 2020, Phi Kappa Psi established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to support our commitment to maintaining an inclusive environment for all members, volunteers and staff regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious and personal beliefs. View Phi Psi’s Statement on Diversity and Non-Discrimination or express an interest in helping to move Phi Psi forward here.
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Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity is a 501(c)(7) association of men of integrity who strive to develop the individual in his intellect, involvement in the community and faith. The Fraternity was founded Feb. 19, 1852 at Jefferson College by William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore. The Fraternity currently has more than 100 chapters across the United States, 6,500 undergraduate members and 80,000 living alumni.