kappa sigma at fgcu?
 

does anyone know if kappa sigma is colonizing at fl. gulf coast university?

From what I understand, Kappa Sigma approached FGCU about colonizing and where told "Not at this time". FGCU is controlling the colonizations of its IFC chapters, much like how it is expanding NPC groups. Kappa Sigma has apparently gone ahead and colonized a chapter without campus approval.

Kappa Sigma did a similar non-campus recognized colony at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith when they were not selected in the initial Greek Life expansion. Eventually, UAFS decided to recognize the chapter. IMO that is what Kappa Sig is hoping for at FGCU.

i had heard that they were on campus, but have not seen anything about them-then a friend tells me her son has joined. thank you lanesig. friend is a non-greek so i figured that she had the name wrong.

Kappa Sigma did not break any rules. You do not have to be recognized by campus in order to be a fraternity colony or chapter. Their nationals recognizes them. Why should those guys sit back and wait for school approval to be in a fraternity?

No one said they did. LaneSig was just explaining why it might not have been on the school website, etc.

As a member of greek life at FGCU, we were told that they have not been approved as a chapter at FGCU. IFC just took on Sigma Chi last year. Whatever they've started is not being recognized by the school.

thanks jenny.

From what I have heard, Kappa Sigmas are at conflict with FGCU's greek life because FGCU is power tripping. They are mad because students chose to start a fraternity and went straight to nationals instead of going to Greek Life about it first. There seems to be alot of grudges being held toward Kappa Sigma by FGCU's IFC and Greek Advisors. From what I hear. it seems that FGCU is breaking a lot of ethics. They are telling sororities not to associate with them or do socials with them. They have no right to do this at all. You don't have to be on campus to do socials with sororities. I hear that they are treated with hostility by the on campus fraternities because they wear their letters on campus. If this is true, then this need to stop. Compared to the greek life at other universities, FGCU has a lot of improvements to make. I have spoken to IFC presidents at all the other Florida public universities. They have all told me that FGCU's greek life is a joke. Most schools would want to increase the number of fraternities and sororities on campus. This gets more students involved. It seems to me like FGCU wants their Greek Life to be for the select few only. Which is not right in any way. That is probably why a lot of students don't like Greeks at FGCU. I am not even a Kappa Sigma, but I see a lot of corruption in FGCU's Greek Life. I hope Kappa Sigma gets on campus at FGCU. I have heard their story. They deserve it. They raise money and they are doing lots of philanthropy. I am proud that they are standing up to FGCU's greek life and not backing down. Kappa Sigmas, don't back down to FGCU. You keep on fighting for what is right!!!

so they would be recognized by the adminisration and have full membership privileges with the fgcu ifc? so they could have socials with the campus sororities?

i would imagine that fgcu preferred to make sure that the sigma chi colony was viable and was going to flourish before allowing another fraternity on campus.

i would imagine that the international offices of the sororities are not allowing the sororities to have socials with kappa sigma due to risk management and liability reasons that stem from the fraternity not being recognized by fgcu. the sororities are not going to risk losing their charters in order to have a social with an unrecognized fraternity. i am sure that if kappa sigma's situation changes and the administration recognizes them, that the sororities will be glad to have socials with them.

sometimes in order to get what you want you have to play the game according to someone else's rules. you may not agree with them, but it is what it is. fgcu can "powertrip" because they have the power.

Its not their international offices telling them not to associate. Its the school. From my understanding, Kappa Sigma's national offices contacted the national offices of every fraternity and sorority on FGCU's campus and got approval and support from them. This in turn should have trickled down to the fraternities and sororities on FGCU's campus. Yet still nothing has changed. It appears that the fraternities and sororities are doing what FGCU says and not what their Nationals says. Now that is risky. If you don't listen to your nationals, you can definitely risk losing your charter. I sense some shady business occuring. Speaking of Sigma Chi's colony, you can have more than 1 colony on campus. USF currently has 3 active colonies on their campus and everything is just fine. I had interest in trying to get my fraternity(FIJI) started at FGCU. But after seeing how their Greek Life operates, I have no interest at all.

#1 - I can't speak for anyone else, but I have SERIOUS doubts that Kappa Sig's national office called Sigma Chi HQ and asked for support of an off-campus colony. It doesn't work that way.

#2- "It appears that the fraternities and sororities are doing what FGCU says and not what their Nationals says. Now that is risky."
I can guarrantee that no one from Sigma Chi HQ called the Sigma Chi colony and told them that the colony has to support Kappa Sigma's colony. Let me repeat myself: It doesn't work that way.

#3- "If you don't listen to your Nationals, you can definately risk losing your charter."
That is true. You can lose your charter for RMF, hazing, not sending in reports on time, etc. You are not going to lose your charter for not associating with a non-recognized fraternity colony. Does it bear repeating? Yes: It doesn't work that way.

Sigma Chi HQ has a lot more things to worry about than whether their FGCU colony chooses to association or not with a non-recognized colony.

From my understanding, FGCU is micromanaging its Greek Life. This is why many fraternities do not want to start at FGCU. I don't blame them one bit. I hope that more fraternities that actually do want to start at FGCU will follow what Kappa Sigma did and just go straight to the National Headquarters instead of the school. I would love to see it.

Um hate to break it to you, but quite a few inter/national organizations require recognition from the school.

Absolutly not. As you are not a member of my organization do not say what is risky or what is not risky when losing our chater.

Absolutly ridiculous. You aren't even a member of Kappa Sigma OR a student at FGCU so I don't see what your issue is. I could understand if you were a member of 1 of the two and kept aruging about this, but please.

Of course you can have more than one colony. But here's a fact that maybe you're missing or keep forgetting. FGCU's greek life, nationally is only 6 years old. Before that it was only two locals, which both became Tri Delta and SigEp. FGCU's campus is still relativly small with many of the chapters still establishing basic membership. IFC just took on a fraternity last year, and panhellenic is expanding this year. I completely agree with the fact that the Greek Office is limiting expanision.

I won't speak for NPC, since they are specific rules and regulations for expansion.

As you stated earlier, it is allowed to have more than one IFC colony on campus at a time.

I don't know FGCU's greek life administrator so the following is speculation. You say "micromanaging", they probably say "Let's not throw open the flood gates and have 10 colonies come on campus at once. Let's have a modicum of control for our Greek Life expansion."

Many IFC programs on campuses are starting to take control of IFC expansion. Kentucky recently held an IFC expansion. Instead of telling the 3 chapters selected to come on all at one time, they were asked to come on at specific semester intervals. This is an attempt to ensure that all the groups are successful instead of 3 groups coming on at the same time. In that situation, at least 1 would probably fail. This new action by IFC is happening on many campuses.

FGCU didn't tell Kappa Sigma that they could never come to colonize; they were asked to wait. Kappa Sigma is the one that decided to do what they wanted to do. As momma said, "You play, you pay." If you knowingly disregard the rules, be grown up enough to accept the consequences.

From my understanding, they are close to becoming a chapter. I do understand why the school may have an issue. I was told that the original 2 guys who started Kappa Sigma's Fort Myers colony were rude to the IFC at FGCU. That was a big mistake. Those men are no longer with the fraternity because they were kicked out. This grudge should no longer be held. Despite me not being a Kappa Sig, nor a student at FGCU I know unjust treatment when I see it. This hits close to home because I have family members that are Kappa Sigs. I am just proud to see a fraternity willing to stand up to a school and the IFC and not take no for an answer. I am pleased that these fine young men are dedicated for a cause. I do not know any of them, but their story is truly remarkable. The school might call them rebels, but I call them dedicated young men who are willing to stand up for what they believe in. They should not have to wait to be members a fraternity. That is why they colonized off campus. My brother is a Kappa Sig at North Florida and my cousin is a Kappa Sig at Johnson and Wales in Miami, so they inform me about what is occuring. From what I hear, FGCU had better let them on campus soon. Kappa Sigma nationally has a lot of power. They are not to be messed with. I have read about a lot of controversy happening at FGCU over the years. Trust me. FGCU can't afford any more bad publicity.

What exactly can Kappa Sigma do if FSGU refuses to recognize them?

Okay sure. I want a frat coming on my campus that threatens us. That sure is helping the cause.
FGCU is one of the fastest growing schools in the country, if not the fastest. I'm sure we'll be fine if IFC doesn't allow Kappa Sigma on campus.

I was orginally going to talk about how SigEp was an underground fraternity for a couple years and then was allowed back on campus, but forget that now.

LOL -- Power to do what?

I thought you were a FIJI? Stop swinging on Kappa Sig's nuts.

Okay, I'm sorry, but that made me laugh. FGCU "had better let them on campus soon." Why? Can you state at least one good, clear reason?
"Kappa Sigma nationally has a lot of power." And? What will Kappa Sigma do? Get the Florida State Legislature to revoke FGCU's ability to grant diplomas? Lose their credentials?

What was my prior statement? Oh, yes: That's not how it works.

Most people couldn't give a crap on a cracker if Kappa Sigma charters at FGCU or not. You are taking this way to serious and giving Kappa Sigma national way too much power.

I'm not sure I would let an anonymous person on the internet, who isn't even a member of Kappa Sigma, have such a strong influence on my opinion of the organization, if I were you. But, to each their own, I suppose.

I'm sorry. Its finals week. Lack of sleep+mass amounts of diet coke= a few over reactions throughout my day :)

good luck with your finals, jenny.

To clear all the air, do not listen to ryquis. I am a Kappa Sig at UCF. I am very aware of the situation with Kappa Sigma at FGCU. What happened was, students approached FGCU about starting Kappa Sigma. FGCU's IFC was not willing to expand for a legit reason. They had just let Sigma Chi on campus. The students instead decided to go straight to Kappa Sigma's national headquarters and asked to start. Nationals approved. Thus Kappa Sigma was colonized as the Fort Myers,FL colony. The conflict got worse when the original grandmaster of Kappa Sigma decided to be rude to FGCU's IFC. That was a big mistake. You do not bite the hand that feeds. But, this guy is no longer a part of the colony because the members voted him out. He was thus depledged and kicked out of the colony. The Kappa Sigma colony is getting to better terms with FGCU and the IFC. The colony has new leadership and is respectful to the IFC and FGCU. They are doing lots of philanthropy and they are following IFC rules despite not being recognized by campus yet. I see this conflict being resolved soon and them being let on campus. Of the original 25 that started the colony, only 6 remain. They have recruited a much better quality of young men who are taking the colony into a better direction. They are close to becoming a chapter. But, I believe they are willing to wait to be let on campus before chartering. Everything is going to be fine. Its just a matter of time. The reason they are allowed to colonize and charter off campus is because Kappa Sigma, along with Phi Delta Theta, and Phi Sigma Kappa broke away from the IFC nationally(North-American Interfraternity Conference) back in 2002. Thus they do not have to be on a campus to govern. But, I do see everything getting cleared up soon and Kappa Sigma being let on to FGCU's campus. Everything is going to be all right.

I appriciate you taking the time to explain everything. Thank you very much :)

thanks rex. i do hope things work out for kappa sigma at fgcu-sounds like they are headed in the right direction. a friend of the family has pledged your ft. myers chapter and he is a really good guy who comes from a good, politically active(and connected) family-this family(and the son) spends a lot of time doing volunteer work. if your other members are like him, they can't help but succeed.

Yea. Realistically, I see them getting on FGCU's campus Fall 2010. They want to get on campus ASAP. But, I think Fall 2010 is fair enough. One of my good friends from high school pledged the colony this semester. Compared to last year, they are getting to better terms with the IFC and the fraternities and sororities on campus. I know that FGCU told sororities not to associate with them, which I can understand to some degree because they don't want to risk losing your charters. But, I do believe socials could be done as long as there was some advisory and rules and conditions. I'm confident things will get better. There is usually some conflict when Kappa Sigma tries to start at certain colleges and universities. A similar situation is occuring with our Pi Theta chapter which has been trying to get on the campus at Coastal Carolina University for 2 years. They colonized and chartered off campus and were still passed over when their IFC opened up for expansion. I don't think a situation like this will happen at FGCU though.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but can we clarify "rude"? I mean, if the IFC told them they couldn't colonize and KS said "oh yes we can" they're not being rude, they're stating a fact. Some people classify telling the truth without sugarcoating as rude.

I mean I kind of have a problem envisioning a national fraternity officer dropping f bombs and/or flipping the bird, no matter how upset he was.

Oh ye of little faith.

Grandmaster is a term used to mean president of the local chapter IIRC.

Oh, ok. Then that I can see.

TSteven: That was my "Pollyanna post" for the day. Bwah.

For what it is worth, the NIC does not advocate keeping any fraternity from colonizing. It is the campus that makes the decision to control expansion. See NIC by-laws below. Note: this would apply to all national fraternities regardless of their membership in any umbrella organization.

Campus Expectations

Open Expansion

No NIC member organization is prohibited from selecting undergraduates for the purpose of establishing a chapter on the campus of the host institution. The host institution's Interfraternity Council may not deter expansion by withholding membership of NIC group from IFC.

Open Recruitment

Host institution will support open recruitment and will not prohibit any male enrolled as a full time student in good standing from participating in rush recruitment activities and joining an NIC member fraternity. Host institution will not prohibit NIC member fraternity from recruiting/rushing male students on campus.

You are allowed one. I just wasn't sure if this was you one or I had missed it. :)

The way I'm reading his post was that NIC requires a campus to support a chapter. That is, there can not exist a chapter without school recognition. But non NIC orgs can charter in a particular city and not need school recognition to do so.

It is somewhat confusing. But the jest of it is that the NIC believes in open expansion. Perhaps I should have added this from the NIC by-laws regarding the Host school.

For the purposes of these By-Laws, a chapter is "related to" an institution if its membership is drawn from students enrolled at such institution, and no formal agreement with or recognition by such institution shall be required or implied.

This subsection shall not be deemed to prohibit undergraduate chapters related to extension, branches or regional campuses of accredited institutions.

Ah ok. So NIC doesn't even require school recognition? I really need to study NIC bylaws more.

Hold the phone
 

Now *I* am confused. (Not a difficult task for me to do I might add.)

Further down in the by-laws is the following which seems to be in conflict with the above statements.

Section 4. Colonies. A colony, meaning a newly-formed group or association of students sponsored, organized or assisted by a fraternity with the intent of it becoming a chapter or otherwise affiliated in any manner with that fraternity, may be established by a member fraternity only in relation to an accredited college or university. No member fraternity shall sponsor, organize, assist or participate in any manner in the formation, organization or establishment of a colony related to an accredited college or university, unless such college or university shall hold an approved candidacy status with the appropriate regional association, and such colony may become chartered only upon full accreditation of the institution.

Have at it. I'm going to review too.

BY-LAWS OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCE (Revised April 20, 2009)

WTH? You are right. Maybe once a chapter gets past colony status recognition is no longer needed?

NIC membership doesn't have jack to do with being on a campus and not being school recognized. Phi Sigma Kappa was on our campus for a while not recognized by the school, and they are IFC members. Not to mention all those schools where the whole freakin' system is unrecognized.

That section reads to me like it's more about school accreditation and that you can't form a colony with a bunch of randoms off the street. They may have to call a colony at FGCU the "Fort Myers" colony but as long as it's all FGCU students that's fine.