Phi Delta Theta & Kappa Sigma Withdrawl from NIC (Official Phi Delt Statement)
 

P H I D E L T A T H E T A F R A T E R N I T Y



As many of you know, there has been substantial debate over the past six years within the fraternity world, and internally within Phi Delta Theta, about the focus and direction of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). Phi Delta Theta, as a founding member of the NIC, has been passionately involved in that debate. It has been the view of the General Council that the NIC has drifted from its primary mission of serving as an advocate for the American college fraternity movement toward one whose central function is to provide educational programming to our undergraduates. Phi Delta Theta is committed to providing extensive educational and leadership training to our members, and we are proud of the programs that we have developed. We feel strongly that the purpose of a trade association that represents college fraternities must be to provide services to the member organizations, rather than to the members of those organizations.

While the NIC has made admirable strides in its work to promote the movement through legislative advocacy, we feel that those efforts remain but a side note to the NIC's undergraduate leadership training and educational seminars. The NIC has remained on the sidelines while hundreds of public colleges have severely curtailed the right of students to associate freely through "deferred recruitment." The NIC has been silent, as public institutions have "closed" their campuses to fraternity expansion. As fraternity liability insurance costs have skyrocketed, the NIC has left its members to tackle that issue by themselves.

Not withstanding our concerns, we have remained a member of the NIC for a variety of reasons. In the spirit of interfraternalism, we have been committed to working within the NIC to return it to its founding mission by offering legislation and sitting on committees. Phi Delta Theta has felt that, despite our dissatisfaction, NIC membership has at least provided us with a "seat at the table," keeping us engaged in dialogue with our partner fraternities. Finally, as a founding member, we have not wanted to leave an organization that we have contributed to for over 90 years. Unfortunately, especially in light of the legislation passed at the 2001 NIC meeting in Washington, DC which more than tripled our dues, we can no longer use these reasons to justify our membership in an organization with which we have so many concerns. It is with deep regret that Phi Delta Theta has officially resigned its membership in the NIC, effective Monday, December 9, 2002. As many of you may have questions and concerns regarding this decision, accompanying this letter are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that should address most of those issues.



Phi Delta Theta Withdrawal From NIC
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Phi Delta Theta leave the NIC?
Phi Delta Theta has been concerned about the focus and direction of the NIC for more than six years. Specifically, we feel that the main focus of the NIC should be to provide services to its member organizations, rather than to individual undergraduates. Over the last decade, NIC has created several outstanding educational and leadership programs such as the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI), IMPACT and Futures Quest which generate substantial revenue for NIC. Unfortunately, as these programs have grown in scope and revenue production, they have become the primary focus of the NIC staff's activities. We feel that the NIC should primarily focus its attention on representing the fraternity movement and acting as an advocate for its member fraternities with university administrators, government, the media, and the general public.

2. Does this mean that Phi Delta Theta doesn't want to work with other fraternities?
Not at all. We worked with other NIC organizations and NIC board members until the very last possible moment to avoid making this decision because we cherish our interfraternal heritage and we certainly enjoy working to further the cause. We simply felt that we had reached a point where, after many frustrating years, we needed to make a change that would send a strong statement to the NIC and its leadership that we have run out of patience with the slow pace of change.

3. Why couldn't Phi Delta Theta stay and work within the NIC to make the changes that it feels are necessary?
Phi Delta Theta genuinely wanted to remain in NIC, but we felt that we had exhausted all avenues for change within the NIC framework. Phi Delta Theta members have sat on a variety of task forces and committees whose focus was redirecting the efforts of the NIC toward an advocacy/trade association model. Our decision to withdraw comes after years of effort on our part to bring the organization back toward its founding principles.

4. Is Phi Delta Theta the only organization that is dissatisfied with the NIC?
No. Kappa Sigma has also withdrawn its membership in the NIC. In addition, throughout 2002 over 10 other groups were engaged in discussions with Phi Delta Theta about leaving the NIC and we know of several that continue to consider withdrawing their membership.


5. Why didn't more fraternities leave with Phi Delta Theta?
Some groups that considered leaving are newer to the movement seeking to reform the NIC and had not reached a point where they were willing to take a step as drastic as withdrawing. Several groups were reluctant to leave because they have members who are in NIC leadership working to reform the organization. Still others were concerned about being perceived as "renegade" organizations.

6. Did money play a role in Phi Delta Theta's decision to leave NIC?
Phi Delta Theta has always been happy to pay its fair share to support the NIC. We were proud to be the largest contributor to the NIC's research initiative, contributing $30,000. Phi Delta Theta was certainly disappointed when the House of Delegates voted to increase our dues from $4500 to $14,000 when we were already so unhappy with the direction of the organization.

7. Does this mean chapters of Phi Delta Theta can't be members of their campus IFC or Greek Council?
We will continue to expect all of our chapters to remain members of their local IFC and we will communicate that message strongly to all of our chapter presidents. While some IF's may have bylaws that require NIC membership, we feel confident that we can provide language for inclusion in those bylaws that will alleviate those concerns. We don't feel that we should be excluded from IFCs simply because we have removed the letters NIC from our resume.

8. By leaving the NIC, is Phi Delta Theta trying to force other fraternities to adopt Alcohol Free Housing (AFH)?
No. While we wish that every fraternity would join us in the AFH movement, we respect the right of other organizations to govern themselves as they see fit. Ironically, Phi Delta Theta and the other organization leaving the NIC, Kappa Sigma, have divergent views on AFH. What we share is a common view that the NIC is not focused on providing services to its members.

9. If Phi Delta Theta thinks programs like UIFI, IMPACT and Futures Quest should not be the primary focus of NIC, what should happen to them?
We feel that those programs could be spun-off, either to an entirely new entity, or be used as a revenue generator by another organization such as the Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA) or the Fraternity Executives Association (FEA). We want our members to be able to continue to take advantage of these great programs, but not at the expense of the NIC's focus on advocacy for the fraternity movement.

10. Will this change isolate Phi Delta Theta from other fraternities or from university administrators?

Phi Delta Theta is committed to the principle of interfraternalism and will continue to work with other fraternities through the FEA and other interfraternity associations. Several of our volunteers and headquarters staff are already members of AFA and NASPA and we plan to continue to build relationships through those organizations.

That's some big time stuff there. I wonder if TKE IHQ is thinking about leaving, I need to find out.

Huh.

So in effect - they feel NIC is spending too much $$$ and time on seminars, workshops and such and not enough on the fraternities as a whole? I can understand that point.

But I really question their bringing up deferred rush and "closing" the campuses to expansion. In my experience these are two things that strengthen the Greek system, not weaken it. That's different on every campus of course, but bringing that up just makes it look like they're pouting because they weren't allowed to open a chapter here or there - an action that may have been justified by the state of the school's Greek system.

I interpreted their concerns regarding "campuses closing to expansion" differently. I thought that perhaps they were referring to NIC's failure to advocate for fraternities when administrations such as Union or Dartmouth wholesale close down the Greek system; or refuse to allow any more Greek expansion, regardless of demand for new chapters.

Their frustration is understandable. If Greeks don't unite and start taking drastic action to advocate for our continued existence, prove our relevance, and reform what's wrong, the fraternity/sorority system will not be here for our grandchildren.

Whether withdrawal was the right thing to do....I don't know. Only time will tell.

That's also the way I read it. This is a pretty bold move on their part. It caught me by surprize -- I didn't realize that this possibility was even being discussed.

On the face of it, I have to agree with their concerns -- although I don't really know that much about NIC and its relations with specific fraternities.

It will be most interesting to see which, if any, other Nationals choose to disaffilliate. You also have to wonder if there will be a parallel group formed sometime in the future.

I don't know Delt's stand, although it would be a very difficult decision since a number of Delts have been NIC President, and we also were founding members.

We should all watch this with great interest.

I was about to post about this.

I know Kappa Sigma is joining the Fraternity Leadership Association (FLA).

Sounds likea good move. IT definitely shakes things up.

While I am sure Kappa Sig and Phi Delt had good reasons and are sure in their decisions, feeling them to be the best thing for their orgs, I dont think this will seriously affect NAIC (North American Interfratenity Conference) in the long run, nor do I believe it to be the beginnings of a mass exodus of groups for several reasons.

(Note I am not indicating an agreement/disagreement withtheir reasons for leaving, just stating my belief on the effects of their departure.)

I dont know much about corporate culture that exists within the NPHC, so I'll limit my comments to the parallels and differences between the NAIC and NPC, relative here. I'll allow a fellow greek who is a member of a group with membership in the NPHC to share their thoughts and opinions ont he subject.

I draw attention to the NPC, because so often, people attempt to compare the groups. As if it were apples to apples. One specific policy example between the groups is recruitment. Our respective policies couldnt be more different. Aditionally, I am sure we could all agree that it would be a big deal if a member chose to leave the NPC.

While these two groups are probably the largest to ever leave the NAIC, they most certainly arent the first. The NAIC is a much larger, somewhat loose federation of groups with historically fluid membership. Sigma Tau Gamma left for a while in the 90's. I once heard (from a NAIC staffer) that it wasnt a good year if one or two member fraternity groups didnt leave, and a few others return. NPC groups have remained the same since 1952, proving a much more stable group in terms of membership.

2. NAIC generally goes not enact policy, whereas the NPC sometimes does (I believe they're called unanimous agreements) by getting all member groups to come to an agreement on a policy before it is enacted. NAIC has very few policies (I think most of them are resolutions) that they require all members to adhere to) mainly, the one barring membership in two organizations as an undergraduate (some groups allow for dual membership after graduation). I believe that for the better part of the history of the NAIC, this loose federation, allowing most groups to handle their own policy has been one of the fundamental strenghts of the NAIC.

3. As long as there are many groups the remain withthe NAIC its size still lends itself to credibility. Should the number of member groups dramitically change, then NAIC's efficacy and credibility will obviously change.

While I hate to see the NAIC family loose any members, I am confident in the continued success of the NAIC, and remain hopeful for an eventual return of Kappa Sigma and Phi Delta Theta.

You're right about the fluidity, lifesaver, at least if past editions of Baird's are any indication. Baird's has traditionally listed social/general fraternities with NIC members in one group and non-NIC members in another group. If I remember correctly (I don't have past editions handy, so forgive me if I get something wrong), at least according to Bairds, SAE, Sigma Nu, Pi Kappa Phi, and Pi Kappa Alpha have not been NIC members at some point.

I wouldn't be so sure about it affecting the NIC, though. Certainly, it may not cause the demise of the NIC, but if there is enough dissatisfaction with the direction of the NIC (and the Phi Delt press release, at any rate, suggests that dissatisfaction extends beyong Phi Delta Theta and Kappa Sigma), then this may be the impetus for change. Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering what effect this might have on consideration being given to Phi Mu Alpha joining the NIC.

This is big news! :eek:

I'm assuming that this will change national dues for Phi Delta Theta since they are not contributing to this organization (?) or perhaps they will use this money in different venues.

NAIC dues works out to be approx. 80 cents per man per semester in their org..

Interesting that we read it differently. There were 2 reasons I didn't think they were talking about Dartmouth/Bowdoin type situations: 1) they specifically mentioned public colleges, those are private; and 2) DKE left (partly) for those reasons back in the 90's and then came back. My thought was if that was something they were very concerned about they would have left w/ DKE to begin with.

Although I do completely agree that NIC and NPC both need to grow a pair and fight for our rights of association as a whole rather than just sitting mutely and taking it.

Wow, i knew nothing about this, i wonder how this will affect us on a school-by-school basis, hopefully GHQ will let us know something soon.

This is it - according to a brief conversation I had with one of our national officers, more than just KS and the Phi Delts weren't in approval of the way NIC was heading, so they decided to do something about it, assuming that once they proved successful others would follow . . . hence the new FLA etc.

I think a major issue is that the top 10 fraternities in the NIC comprise more than 50% of total chapters, while accounting for less than 25% of the voting power etc. I think, on a certain level, it became an issue of larger nationals paying for educational programming that only benefitted the smaller nationals, as much of the training was done in-house for the larger.

We'll see how it works out - it made a lot of sense when described to me by a higher-up.

John:

The chapter President should have recieved an email. I know that they went out to the chapter presdient here on this campus, as well as to list-serves of organizations in higher education, as well as to fraternity and sorority advisors. Plus, we just finished our annual meeting that runs concurrent with NIC....I think Ashley knows of the situation (or soon will) she'll be able to handle whatever needs to be done on your campus I'm sure...she's a smart cookie, and a good friend of mine.

-o.p.i.e.

I agree.. it's a pretty bold move. I can definitely respect their reasons for leaving. Most collegians have no idea who the NIC is. We do get a packet of information from them every year or so but really have not heard much other than that from them.

Sigma Nu has some excellent leadership programming available to undergrads in its LEAD program. I'm sure most other major national fraternities have something similar going on. It seems silly for the NIC to duplicate efforts like that.

I agree they should be advocates for the fraternity movement. I don't know what they've ever done, what they're doing or what they plan to do. I go to their website and their purpose is still unclear. I was fairly sure that there were certain rules that the NIC had that would apply to interactions between different NIC groups on various campuses but have never heard a rule come up.

It will be interesting how this all turns out.

wow. pretty heavy stuff.:eek:

I just got an email about this today.

This has been talked about as a possibility for a while now. Having talked to a few of the alumni volunteers about this, it makes a lot of sense.

Collin

Re: Phi Delta Theta & Kappa Sigma Withdrawl from NIC (Official Phi Delt Statement)
 

Does anyone know what these 10 groups were or where we could find out who they are?

I wish you guys the best of luck. I think one of the biggest impacts this may have on the campus level is the liability issue.

Greek Affairs usually freaks out when an organization comes to campus that can't neatly be placed into one of their umbrella groups (i.e. NIC, NPHC. Our organization has faced this problem a lot since we were founded). They like for the greeks to be liable to someone outside of the national org. I hope you hear more soon.

M.V.

This is a very Bold move by two very outstanding Fraternitys.

It seems that the NIC like all Organizions have become so Politically Correct that the Full Picture is missed!

There seems to be little or no fighting for Greeks on many campuses and we in toto get the boot!

There is no aiding Organizations on individual campuses. Just a dont rock the boat mentality!

If they are going to work for OUR benefit, maybe it is time for a change in attitude or governing structure.

I am waiting to see what develops from this.

Different Views
 

Scanning the messages, it appears that fraternity and sorority members may be seeing this issue from opposite points of view. For men, closing a campus to expansion, and 'deferred recruitment" NEVER strengthen a fraternity system, but always serve to weaken it. The fraternity system thrives on competition and continual rushing. The women's system, while very successful, is different.
I'm pleaed that the Phi delts have taken this step, and I hope that others will follow. Fraternities must have a single, strong voice to represent them on these critical issues. SAE and Pi Kappa Alpha both left NIC at one time. Perhaps they will leave once again.

:eek:

At least they made the decision that was right for them.

Re: Different Views
 

I mentioned in a post above that, at least according to Baird's, numerous fraternities have not belonged to or left the NIC at one time or another. For a little historical reference, I checked the 19th edition (1977) of Baird's last night. It divides general/social fraternities into 3 groups, "NIC Member Fraternities," "NPHC Member Fraternities," and "Other Men's National Fraternities." The following fraternities were listed under "Other Men's National Fraternities":

Delta Phi Kappa (this one isn't listed in GreekPages anymore; don't know if it died or merged with another fraternity.)
Delta Sigma Phi (a current NIC member)
Delta Upsilon (a founding and current NIC member)
FarmHouse (a current NIC member)
Phi Kappa Theta (a current NIC member)
Pi Kappa Alpha (a current NIC member)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (a founding and current NIC member)
Sigma Beta Kappa (this one also isn't listed in GreekPages anymore; don't know if it died or merged with another fraternity.)
Sigma Gamma Chi (a small national found all or mostly in Utah)
Sigma Nu (a founding and current NIC member)
Sigma Phi Epsilon (a founding and current NIC member)
Tau Delta Phi (a current NIC member)
Tau Epsilon Phi (a current NIC member)
Theta Delta Chi (a founding and current NIC member)
Theta Tau (now a member of the Professional Fraternity Association)
Zeta Beta Tau (a current NIC member)

For what it's worth.

James, what do you know about the FLA?

"Wow" is right!

I'm glad to see that Phi Delta Theta at least tried very hard to make a difference before withdrawing. I can't fault a group that truly tried it's best before "throwing in the towel."


.....Kelly :)

Re: Different Views
 

Wrong. A campus with 3000 students can not support as many fraternities as a campus with 60,000 students.

Try putting 60 fraternities on a campus with only 3000 students and you will end up with no fraternities.

Wow, big news.

I'm interested to see what Sigma Nu does.

it's been mentioned on here that NIC membership has seemed to be fluid over the years....are Phi Delt and KS doing this to prove a point, hopefully to return to NIC in the future?

Either way, i applaud the nationals of these two organizations for standing up for their convictions in such a drastic manner. I do agree that more of their concerns should be helping chapters that are struggling or are at Greek hostile schools.

Kitso
KS 361

What does NIC do anyway? I thought they were just a collective bargaining thing for insurance.

Oh then fire them sons of bitches..

Hell of a lot of good their 'collective bargaining' has done us!

Actually I doubt that since we tend to use different insurance companies from fraternity to fraternity. The rates are also widely different.

according to my pledge manual, NIC serves as a "reference source for its members", whatever that means. :p

To: Madmax / Re: Closing Campusses
 

With respect, closing campus to expansion always hurts the fraternities. Again, we're speaking ONLY of fraternities. The sororities have a very successful but totally different way of doing things.
You used the analogy of "putting 60 fraternities" on a campus of only 2,000 students. In practice, no one is going to "put" sixty fraternities on a small campus. But men are very free-market oriented. If there are, say, ten fraternities, it's likely that two will be struggling at any one time, and two or three will take turns being the dominant leaders. The remaining fraternities will be solid, average. If you add an aggressive new colony - pick one of the agressive nationals, like LXA or Sig Ep - the colony will likely come in and add many new members to the system, especially men who might not have joined one of the other fraternities. Now for the same of an extreme example, let's say that as many as five new fraternities come in as colonies, all at the same time. What's likely to happen is that one or two of the five will fail, and the two original fraternities that always struggled will close their doors because they can't compete. The system is strengthened and total memebrship grows.
The fact about fraternities is this: you can't save a group that does not offer a product that no one wants. New blood will pump up the whole system, flush out the non-performers, and traise the bar. If "too many" fraternities come onto a small campus, there will not be enough members to go around and the "market" will take care of itself. If there are no restrictions, then the dynamic of the campus itself will determine how many fraternities it can sustain.
With men, the fewer the restrictions, the better. Let the market decide. Rather than making rules to keep one fraternity from growing and dominating the others, let them be who they want to be. They will force the others to catch up and the whole system benefits.

Thrill, be careful how you typo, people will think you are me!:)

Yes and I agree with you totally! Be there or be square!

But you throw in some idios that We have no controll over-schools and Morons!

Morons: Chapters that act Stupid and do Stupid acts that make the schools nervous.

I think firehouse hit the nail on the head.

that reply should be framed :D

defection
 

Although we work very closely with Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi will NOT be leaving the NIC anytime soon according to some guys Ive talked to. So that leaves about 7 other big nationals who may or may not defect.....

Firehouse...
 

You put the differences up there better than I ever could have. To be cold, it boils down to this. Guys really wouldnt be upset if a small strugeling chapter closed, becasue we are comfortable with a new group taking their place. We wouldnt worry about it a bit. However, such a scenario would likely never take place w/NPC groups on a campus.

Guys are fundamentally more market oriented and women seem to be much more egalitarian in nature.

Kappa Sigma Offical Letter
 

FROM: Mitchell B. Wilson, Executive Director

DATE: December 12, 2002

RE: Kappa Sigma's Resignation from North-American Interfraternity Conference


Dear Friends,


I am writing this letter to provide explanation to the members of the Association of Fraternity Advisors and other campus officials who work with chapters of Kappa Sigma Fraternity to explain our withdrawal from the North-American Interfraternity Conference. For several years, there has been extensive discussion in regard to the focus of the work and priorities of the North-American Interfraternity Conference to represent the interest of member organizations of the Conference. There has been great concern that instead of being an advocate for the college fraternity system, the North-American Interfraternity Conference has established the majority of its focus on the development of educational programs and conferences. Please be assured that Kappa Sigma places great emphasis on educational programming for undergraduates, and we already provide these same leadership programs to our undergraduate chapters. We received little benefit from the programs offered through the NIC. In the meantime, our dues to the North-American Interfraternity Conference more than tripled through legislation passed by the NIC in 2001. The decision of Kappa Sigma to withdraw from the North-American Interfraternity Conference was for philosophical reasons as to what the conference should represent and it was also a business decision.


Kappa Sigma Fraternity remains committed to interfraternalism, and we value the opportunity to associate with college fraternities for the purpose of advancing the interest of the fraternity system. The only thing that has really changed is that Kappa Sigma Fraternity is no longer a member of the NIC. We continue to participate in the Fraternity Executives Association, the Association of Fraternity Advisors and other interfraternity, student leadership and higher education initiatives. We expect our chapters to be good citizens and to practice interfraternalism on their respective campuses, and we will continue to be an accountable and responsible college fraternity with emphasis placed on our values of fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service. We will continue to conduct ourselves as leaders and continue the performance which we have established to over the course of the past 133 years.


It is our belief that the North-American Interfraternity Conference should have focused on serving the member organizations instead of the undergraduate members of the member organizations. As you know, men's college fraternities need a strong advocate who will focus strictly on the establishment of relations with government agencies, to conduct a successful public relations program, to protect the right of association and other constitutional privileges and to assist in supporting men's college fraternities in projects such as acquiring insurance at a reasonable cost. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity respects the decision of those men's college fraternities who remain within the North-American Interfraternity Conference, and we continue to work with these organizations to build fraternity systems on your campuses that will support the educational mission of the host institution.


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has committed to the establishment of a new interfraternal association which is being developed at the present time. The formation of the Fraternity Leadership Association has been initiated in order to provide a trade association for men's college fraternities that meets the needs of its members. The members of this new association will include some of the fraternities who have decided to remain members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference. We would ask that campus officials and interfraternity councils provide the same recognition to this new association as is accorded the North-American Interfraternity Conference, the National Panhellenic Conference, the National Pan-Hellenic Conference and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity supports interfraternalism and continues to observe its existence as a mutually exclusive college fraternity with other men's college fraternities. We are also a national fraternity with a constitution and policies the same as those who currently belong to the North-American Interfraternity Conference. We are committed to an existence as a values-based college fraternity and expect this performance from our chapters.


We look forward to discussing this with you further in our interfraternal gatherings in the future. We appreciate what each of you do for our chapters on a daily basis and you can expect Kappa Sigma Fraternity to continue to conduct business as usual. We will continue a cooperative working relationship with campus officials.


Should you have questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely and Interfraternally,



MBW:ksm




Questions and Answers Concerning Kappa Sigma's

Decision to Leave the North-American Interfraternity Conference




1. What were the reasons that led to Kappa Sigma's withdrawal from the North-American Interfraternity Conference?


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity made the decision to withdraw from the North-American Interfraternity Conference due to philosophical differences between Kappa Sigma and the direction and focus of the current operations of the Conference. In particular, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity felt that the North-American Interfraternity Conference failed to properly represent the interest of Kappa Sigma and other college fraternities in areas such as freedom of association, public relations, relation with government agencies and other areas that reflect the operation of a trade association. There was also legislation passed in December of 2001 that tripled the amount of dues which Kappa Sigma Fraternity paid to the North-American Interfraternity Conference. The Supreme Executive Committee of Kappa Sigma made the decision to withdraw the membership of Kappa Sigma Fraternity from the North-American Interfraternity Conference since it did not derive an equal amount of benefits from participation in the Conference for the amount of dues being assessed. The focus of the Conference has been on the development of educational programs and conferences for undergraduates which are already being provided in abundance through the Kappa Sigma Fraternity to our undergraduate Brothers and chapters. The decision to leave the conference primarily was due to the philosophical differences as to how the conference should represent all fraternities as a trade association. The decision was also a business decision in making the most effective use of the resources of our Fraternity.



2. Will Kappa Sigma have the same commitment to working in a cooperative fashion with college and university officials?


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity remains committed now more than ever to developing cooperative working relationships with college and university officials for the betterment of our students. We have kept this commitment for a period of over 133 years and our volunteer officers, Supreme Executive Committee and staff members will be assessable to serving the interests of our chapters and host institutions where Kappa Sigma is represented. Our commitment remains strong and firm in the development of our student leaders. We are committed to open communication with college and university officials and greek affairs professionals. We will also attend annual NASPA meetings and continue our association with AFA.



3. Did Kappa Sigma withdraw from the North-American Interfraternity Conference for financial reasons?


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has been extremely loyal over the years in providing financial support to the North-American Interfraternity Conference and has always been a member in good standing in its financial commitment to the conference in paying its dues and in participating in interfraternity initiatives. Kappa Sigma Fraternity was one of the first to put forth a commitment to support the North-American Interfraternity Conference Public Relations Initiative. We also spend a significant amount of our resources in sending multiple members of our staff and board to the NIC/AFA Meeting so that we could meet with campus officials and to also assure that proper representation was present to work on the directives of the NIC.


The recent increase in the dues structure of the North-American Interfraternity Conference did not provide equity in services back to our Fraternity and therefore we made the decision to withdraw from the conference.


4. What role will Kappa Sigma play in working with other men's and women's college fraternities?


Kappa Sigma remains committed to the spirit of interfraternalism and looks forward to our continued association with the Fraternity Executives Association, Association of Fraternity Advisors, other interfraternal groups and higher education student development organizations. Our chapters practice this same level of interfraternalism on their local college and university campuses by participating in the interfraternity council and providing leadership in those councils.


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has committed to joining a new trade association that will represent the interest of men's college fraternities. We are excited about this opportunity and are presently working with other fraternities to establish the Fraternity Leadership Association (FLA). Kappa Sigma's commitment in working with other men's college fraternities and women's fraternities and sororities will continue as practiced throughout our history. Kappa Sigma is a founding member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and it was very difficult for us to walk away from a relationship which we had invested 90 years of leadership and financial resources. However, this decision was in the best interest of our undergraduates, alumni and chapters, and we would ask that each campus respect this decision.


5. Should chapters of Kappa Sigma be allowed to participate in campus interfraternity councils?


Absolutely. Simply put, our withdrawal from the NIC should have no effect on the ability of our chapters to participate inn local IFC's. Chapters of Kappa Sigma Fraternity continue to practice mutual exclusivity with other men's college fraternities and our chapters are governed by Kappa Sigma's constitution and policies the same as other men's college fraternities are governed by their internal documents. It is our hope that the local interfraternity councils and college administrators will recognize our history of interfraternalism and allow us to continue on the same path that we have observed throughout our history on the campuses where we are represented. Our undergraduate leaders pay the same tuition as members of other college fraternities and sororities and we are governed by the same code of conduct. Therefore, it is only fair to allow these students this affiliation.


If there is a need to revise the local interfraternity council by-laws to include those fraternities that are not members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, it is our hope that the local IFC by-laws could be revised to reflect wording such as "members of the interfraternity council at ________ institution must be a member of the NIC, FLA or be a chapter of a men's general (National/International) college fraternity.


Kappa Sigma also plans to have continued association with other men's college fraternities in interfraternity initiatives. We believe that each college fraternity and sorority should be allowed to select whether or not it chooses to affiliate with an umbrella association.


6. Should student leaders be allowed to serve in campus interfraternity council positions?


Yes. Kappa Sigma will continue to emphasize the importance of being a partner in the development of the interfraternity work on the campuses where we are represented and we certainly expect our student leaders to participate in activities that will reflect the positive attributes of college fraternities and sororities. The current members of Kappa Sigma who serve on interfraternity councils have provided excellent leadership to their local IFCs and their service should not be interrupted simply because Kappa Sigma has decided to disaffiliate with the North-American Interfraternity Conference. Our interfraternal commitment, both at the General Fraternity and local chapter level, remains the same as it always has.


7. Has Kappa Sigma's priority as a values-based college fraternity changed with this decision?


Absolutely not. The Kappa Sigma Fraternity continues to stress our four principle values of fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service. We are in the process of developing new educational initiatives for our chapters that will be unveiled at our Grand Conclave this coming summer. The program will complement the local interfraternity council and will represent Kappa Sigma in an excellent fashion to the university and to the alumni of our Fraternity. Our program will focus on the importance of accountability and responsibility and living the values of our Fraternity on a day-to-day basis. The program will involve many dynamic aspects for both recruitment and the education of our pledges to become responsible members.


8. Has the decision of Kappa Sigma Fraternity to withdraw from the North-American Interfraternity Conference established a precedent?


The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has withdrawn from the North-American Interfraternity Conference along with Phi Delta Theta Fraternity as of December 9, 2002. This is not the first time in the history of the conference that members have withdrawn and many have done so in the past and have continued to function as successful and credible fraternities on your campuses while they were not affiliated with the NIC. Please understand that Kappa Sigma Fraternity remains as an accountable and responsible fraternity in the academic communities where our chapters operate.

Opie, thank you for placing this on site!

I am sure all membrs of Male Greek Organizations will be watching the out come!

i do not know what LXA's decision will be!

I e-m one of the Memebers of our Internatioal HDQ's asking about this, and as of yet have heard nothing as just sent this morning!



We as Greek Oraganizations need a center control to fight for the rights of us. Being Politically Correct is not at this point in time the thing to do!

We as Greeks do more than anyother group on campuses all over!

It is time that we deserve the credit!

Re: To: Madmax / Re: Closing Campusses
 

Firehouse. You sound like you just got back from a National Convention. I guess the guy that gave you the pep talk didn't tell you about all of your chapters that are inactive because of low numbers.

You are wrong when you said expansion is ALWAYS good. Just look at UMass. The agressive nationals "expand" and the Greek system goes from 1800 students down to 800. Tell us how that is good.

Your arguement would be valid if we were taking about real expansion but most Greek systems are actually losing ground not gaining. Some nationals have 100 to 200 inactive chapters.

With Respect, Madmax
 

I hold a more optimistic view, one molded by experience. My national fraternity in particular is focused on rush, and has the largest average chapter size among all the NIC fraternities. I'm sure we do have chapters that have become inactive due to low numbers. In almost every case, my gues is that they've done that to themselves,a nd have ignored all offers of help. Men will not join fraternities that offer no reason to join. Men join fraternities composed of men that rushees want to be around and have for friends.
You mentioned U-Mass. I am not familiar with the particulars of that campus. Is it a far left wing anti-Greek campus? Is it a commuter campus (that can be very difficult)? Are there restrictive rules and regulations? I think we used to have a chapter there, and now do not.
On every large campus, there should be enough good, traditional Fraternity-men types who would welcome the opportunity to band together with others like them to achieve great and impressive things. Is there no fraternity like that at U-Mass? is there no one fraternity that pledges lots of men, dominates sports, has the big name leaders on campus? If not, then there is an opportunity left unfulfiled.
I am an advocate of letting the market set the limit. If no good fraternity can survive at U-Mass - that is, if the fraternity literally does everything right from a recruiting & marketing standpoint -then the problem lies with the school. That may be the case. I have seen a rare school or two where the atmosphere is poisoned, and hatred of traditional students is obvious.
It's not true that numbers are dropping all over. My fraternity has had increases, and the campus in the city where I live (Florida State) has expereinced an increase in overall fraternity numbers.
It is a cycle. In the 1950s and 1960s, the numbers were huge. Then, around 1967-68, the first tremors began and the numbers began dropping dramatically around 1970, bottoming out around 1973. The 1970s were not good. In the 1980s, Greeks rebouded very strongly. But then, for some reason, the 1990s saw a backslide and a lot of chapters going under. Today, we seem to be seeing healthy growth again. I think sometimes fraternities hurt themselves by denying who we are. We should not behave in an "elitist" manner, but we are elite organizations, and we must realize that that is why men want to join good fraternities. They want to be part of something that calls to the better angels of their natures, that presses them to be more accomplished men.
Madmax, I ahve seen your posts here before, and you seem to be a thoughful ans sincere individual. Tell me about your situation as far as your chapter. When good men like yourself are given the know-how, almost anything can be accomplished.