Auburn campus to highlight historically Black Greek groups

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn University is setting aside space on campus to recognize its historically Black fraternities and sororities.

The Opelika-Auburn News reports that plans are moving ahead for a plaza to recognize social groups that are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which is composed of nine Black sororities and fraternities. Construction is set to begin in 2022.

The president of Auburn's arm of the council, Ronny Issac, says he hopes the plaza helps attract more minority students to the school and helps foster more inclusion among Greek-letter organizations. He says traditionally Black groups haven't been very well represented on campus in the past.

Auburn trustees approved plans for the plaza earlier this year.

The site will consist of one central marker and nine individual markers to represent organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Those include Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.