NIU has taken action to make homosexuals feel welcome through the LGBT Resource Center, PRISM and a gender studies section in the library. But what about the Greek system?

Ohio State University’s latest addition to its Greek system is a gay fraternity. NIU does not have one yet, but claims to be open to one.

Chris Juhl, the adviser for Greek activities and programming, said he gets students every week asking questions about starting an organization, but not many actually attempt doing it, he said.

Students have been interested in creating one, but none have pursued it, said Margie Cook, coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center.

Part of the reason, she said, is because NIU already has a very active LGBT organization – PRISM.

“Students find PRISM to be a place where their needs are already met,” Cook said.

PRISM is a student-run organization for LGBT members and all students.

“It provides a safe place for people who want to talk about their experiences and for anyone who has questions about our community,” said Robb Schuldt, co-president of PRISM.

Whether students actually would join a gay fraternity at NIU varies with each student’s opinion.

“I don’t think I would,” said Andre Margossian a junior psychology major. “Frats should be diverse. People should be united regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay people should not have to form their own fraternity, and if someone did start one, it should be open to everyone.”

Along with any new student organization, a gay fraternity would have to overcome some problems.

“They would not have any more problems than PRISM has to deal with, but they’d have a lot of attention at first,” Juhl said. “There would be an initial shock.”

The fraternity also would have to make a name for itself and offer something the current groups don’t already.

“They would have a great opportunity to be an educational tool here on campus teaching awareness and tolerance,” Juhl said.

As far as being an overall asset to NIU, Schuldt agreed.

“It would definitely help increase diversity here at NIU, and in the Greek system, also encourage LGBT students to be themselves,” he said.