to be honest, i'd never heard of it until the first time i saw it mentioned on greekchat.

OK seriously guys I don't like this argument. Can you throw some dead baby jokes in? Arguments are cool if they aren't bickering or if they're funny. You two can do better.

-Rudey
--OK?

Hmmm.

When Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded at Richmond (Virginia) College in 1901, the founders called the group Sigma Phi. Only after they had ordered their new badges that they learn that there was already a Sigma Phi Fraternity -- small and mostly northeastern, but one of the Union Triad. The founders of Sig Ep did some quick research, decided upon a Greek word starting with Epsilon that "worked" for them, and had to contact the jeweler to have the Epsilon added to the bottom of the heart-shaped badge.

In 1904, the Adelphian Society at Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia) decided to go national and adopted the name (naturally enough) Alpha Delta Phi. Later it was learned that there was already a fraternity by that name -- again, small and mostly northern/northeastern -- so in 1913, Alpha Delta Phi (sorority) changed the last letter of its name and became Alpha Delta Pi.

The founders/members of alpha Kappa Delta Phi learned, after choosing their name, that there was already a fraternity (and national affiliated sorority) by the same name. They chose a way that seemed appropriate to them and to the meaning of their name and ideals to deal with that situation. Would it have been "cleaner" if they had followed the examples of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Delta Pi? Sure, but it was their call to make, not anyone else's, and grousing about it isn't likely to accomplish anything except creating hard feelings.

I'll have to agree with you on this one. I didn't know what the Baird's Manual was until GC, but if I was going to create an organization the point of it would be to be different. I would probably do all the research possible to make sure that my group was different. I do see where RW's coming from also, there are MANY groups out there. But, if it were me, I'd want to be different than EVERYBODY!

I also empathize with KappaTarzan. We all thrive on the uniquness of our groups, and yeah, it kind of sucks that there are other organizations that use an Anchor as their symbol. But, I'm not going to get all pissed off about it, because there ain't much I can do!

aj

How do you make a dead baby float?



Root beer and two scoops of dead baby.





OK so basically I feel that if the national organization added the "a" to the front of their letters then the sisters should be embracing that and not leaving the "a" off of lettered shirts, websites, etc.

But as russell said . . . if Kappa Delta Phi was a trademarked name they can feel free to sue AKDPhi for improper use -- and if it's not, legally AKDPhi has done nothing wrong as far as I can tell. Of course, morally is another story -- but I'm not sure I get the fuss over the difference between a capital letter and a small one. I'm not going to be too worried if some sorority pops up and starts calling themselves delta Delta Delta Delta . . . but maybe that's just me.

Obviously the letters have meaning to both groups and at this point it seems kind of silly to me to get possessive about it -- crying over spilled milk, really. It's not going to do anything except create bad blood.

If this is of enough to concern to the heads of your organizations, there will be movement to make a change. If you feel enough concern, write a letter to your nationals. They will certainly want to hear your ideas and feelings.

Some food for thought. Alpha Delta Pi, originally the Adelphean Society, went to Greek Letters in the early 20th Century. The name selected to represent the Adelphean Society was Alpha Delta Phi. The name was approved and we joined the NPC. Within time, it was discovered that a GLO named Alpha Delta Phi already existed! The Adelpheans-turned-ADPhi changed the group's name to Alpha Delta Pi to avoid confusion, which is has remained ever since.

There's always a happy medium. Just run it through the chain of command.

33girl, PM mama, thank you for sympathizing. I didn't intend for this to become a huge topic of debate, seriously! It wasn't even started by me. :)

It just becomes a matter of annoyance, which everyone has allready stated. if someone has similiar letters it is a completely different story- but to add a tiny little lowercase letter which isn't even used alot of the time? it's just slightly ridiculous.

PM Mama, can i be in your new sorority??!! sounds super fun to me. ;)

Hmm. This thread was extinct (ok, dormant) since 1902; until Kappa crow posted on it today. The bad cop in me can't help thinking if it hasn't been discussed on here in two years it's not that controversial.
I don't think there is any question of either group or set of members wanting to or trying to pass themself off as the other.
For a start one is an Asian interest sorority and the other is an NIC fraternity and if the brother of Kappa Delta Phi on here is concerned he and his brothers may be mistaken for the ladies of aKDP than he needs more help than he can get on this bulletin board. :p ;)

Wasn't there another incidence of this that I heard about on GC ages ago? [After a brief search...] I believe Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority is known as Tri Sigma; but never Tri Sig as (link) Tri Sig refers to a GLO geared toward women identifying as lesbian.

I wonder if the Alpha Chi's got all pissy when they found out that some crazy girls in Arkansas - with the help of a dentist nonetheless - started a new sorority that had their same name - except for the Alpha?!?! :D

if that were true why do you guys need an NAS at the end? why not join up and be a co-ed fraternity?

^^^^I miss this guy so much!

I think this is the post that signalled the beginning of the end of my politeness on GC.


^^^Again, I miss this guy.


^^^ I like this guy. Don't ever change.


I miss this guy too.


SNAP!

Good question.

Too bad KappaTarzan hasn't posted in years.

insurance reasons?

maybe their founders wanted it this way?

back to this thread... years later!

Yes- KDPhi & KDPhi NAS are sister and brother orgs. HOWEVER- we operate completely separately. We run our own meetings, govern our own brother/sisterhood, and maintain secrets from each other (meanings of letters, etc). Our relationship is mutually beneficial and is what is so appealing to many members! We host a national convention together yearly, as well as a few other national meetings. It is my understanding that the brothers DO have a trademark on the letters Kappa Delta Phi.

So- 7 years later, here I am back at it talking about the letters! Alot has changed.. I'm no longer 18 years old :P and have graduated from college but remain involved with the national organization.