Students Lead the Charge for Freedom of Association on Capitol Hill

Later that evening, the annual Congressional dinner brought together students and alumni alongside Members of Congress to celebrate the 21st year of the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee. The two selected student speakers spoke about how their Greek organization has shaped them into a leader.

Claire Shelton, a senior at the University of Idaho, member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and former Panhellenic Association president, was the female student speaker. Claire reflects on how her undergraduate years as a sorority leader ignited her passion for advocacy and inspired her to champion Panhellenic voices. She said, the “intentional, single-sex environment fosters trust, vulnerability, and empowerment in ways few other spaces can.”

Robert Spero, a sophomore at Temple University, president of Beta Theta Pi, and elected County Committeeman in Parsippany, New Jersey, was the male student speaker. Robert spoke about how joining a men’s-only organization gave him mentorship, accountability, and lifelong friends who shaped his leadership journey and inspired his early steps into public service. He said, it “means ensuring students have the freedom and opportunity to build strong, values-driven communities on campus.”

We are urging Congress to advance the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act which will:
 

The following organizations had either a student and/or alumnus/alumna participate in the Capitol Hill visits:

Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Tau
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Phi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Chi
Sigma Nu
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Pi
Theta Chi
Theta Delta Chi
Zeta Beta Tau