The 1960s and 1970s were a turbulent time in American life, and this was amplified on college campuses.  Fraternities had been an institution on campuses for many decades, but they were increasingly questioned as to legitimacy and purpose.  Before this time, ZBT had never adopted an official statement of purpose beyond friendship and brotherhood. In 1963, the undergraduate delegates to the ZBT convention drafted a statement of fundamental beliefs and purposes that eventually became the Credo of ZBT.
 
Credo of ZBT
    We, the brothers of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, believe that the development of the individual as a responsible, mature member of society is the primary goal of the university today.
    We believe that fraternity offers to the university community a unique, desirable and successful means of achieving this goal.
    In fulfilling the purposes of fraternity, we dedicate ourselves to the principles of: Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity, and Brotherly Love.

1. Intellectual Awareness - Fraternity creates an atmosphere conducive to the expansion of the individual’s intellectual horizons, the interchange of ideas within the academic community and the pursuit of scholastic excellence.
2. Social Responsibility - Fraternity requires the individual to commit himself and accept his responsibility to participate.
3. Integrity - Fraternity generates a standard of personal integrity – a framework for the individual to maintain honesty, exhibit loyalty and retain a sense of self-discipline.
4. Brotherly Love - Fraternity inspires and expresses the interrelation of the individual with his fellows, his pride in the institution and respect for the wisdom of its tradition.