The Penn State fraternity scene is about to become even larger, and the newest addition to the greek mix will arrive with historical implications.

Iota Phi Theta, a fraternity for black men, is close to establishing itself as part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at Penn State. Roy Baker, director of greek life and advancement, said that Iota Phi Theta is on the second of three steps required by Penn State's Expansion Policy for Fraternities and Sororities.

If and when the fraternity's acceptance is finalized, Penn State will be home to every member of the Divine Nine, a historic black greek council.

Fraternities and sororities that are a part of the Divine Nine can be found at college campuses around the country, but NPHC president Kevin Smith said that having all nine at one university is very rare.

This step makes a positive statement about Penn State and its greek life. It shows that the university is promoting diversity and that the students are being receptive of the new organization.

There is clearly enough interest on campus to merit the inclusion of Iota Phi Theta in the NPHC at Penn State, as the idea of making it an organization came from a group of students from commonwealth campuses that came to University Park and wanted to start the fraternity.

Penn State has maintained eight of the nine organizations for 20 years, but Pennsylvania State director of Iota Phi Theta Tyrone Patton said that Iota Phi Theta has been working to try to join Penn State for "the better part of five years."

The fraternity currently has a solid group of interested students to build upon, made up mostly of sophomores and juniors.

With successful recruiting and community involvement, it could become a major part of Penn State greek life right away. Students interested in joining a fraternity, specifically one geared toward blacks, will have another option to consider.

Our only hope is that Penn State's commitment to diversity in greek life does not go the way of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Special Living Option, which was eliminated in 2006 due to a lack of interest.

Accepting all members of the Divine Nine will be a great move by Penn State.

Now, the students must show that they are as committed to the expansion by having an open mind to the incoming fraternity.