 Since the 1870s , Cornell 's system of fraternities and sororities grew to play a large role in student life , with many chapters becoming a part of national organizations . As of 1952 , 19 fraternities had national restrictions based on race , religion or national origin , and of the 32 fraternities without such national requirements , 19 did not have " mixed " memberships . In response , the undergraduate Interfraternity Council passed a resolution condemning discrimination . In the 1960s , the Trustees established a Commission to examine the membership restrictions of those national organizations . Cornell adopted a policy that required fraternities and sororities affiliated with nationals that discriminated based on religion or race to either amend their national charters or quit the national organizations . As a result , a number of national Greek organizations dropped racial or religious barriers to their membership . 
