Southern Identity?
 

Does your chapter have a more southern identity than other organizations on your campus? We really, really do. Sigma Nu at Central Oklahoma concentrates a lot on concepts such as chivalry, how it all interrelates with LTH, etc. We also go to insane extremes teaching our guys how to be gentlemen when it comes to etiquette, social skills, etc.

I think the Mu Tau chapter really identifies with the general fraternity's southern heritage. Have any of y'all had a similar experience?

Not really. We obviously put a large emphasis on Honor in our candidate education and daily activities, but we don't really have any traditions or characteristics that I would describe as particularly Southern. Actually, I think the ATOs were probably the most Southern fraternity on campus until they died out in the aftermath of a rape scandal. I didn't know them very well because they were gone by my sophomore year, but they always came across as obnoxious rednecks to me.

This was probably different in the 70s, judging from photos. We used to have a gigantic Confederate flag hanging in our main stairwell.

It seems like a lot of Sigma Nu chapters have that "Southern" reputation on campuses. Not as often as KA does, but for the most part.

Kevin, whats up with the UCO site? I go to it and get the following:
This Account Has Been SuspendedPlease contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.

You think they need some $$$ to pay for their server space?! :p NOt a good time for your website to be down.

Of the chapters on my campus we are probably the most gentlemanly chapter, and we seem to have a little southern attitude. It is strange at times but hey what are you gonna do? The southern attitude not the gentlemanly.

No clue. I did notice that though. Hopefully that'll be cleared up soon.

Yeah I don't know how the gentlemanly thing is correlated to the Southern thing. I'm in Northern California so nobody is really "Southern". The girls here have told me a million times they feel safe coming to Sigma Nu when they are having a problem or feel creeped out at another party. We've had girls come to our house upset after another fraternity's member would force himself on her and our execs marched over to their house to demand an explanation.....

as far as all the frills and nicities go I'd give it to Sigma Chi who always get up when a "lady" enters a room....

on my campus Sigma Nu are kind of the blue collar guys....we're not schlubs we're just not fancy....but we still have class.

lol.. we actually do that :)

yeah I mean I tried to institute a proper dress code and hygiene code and it didn't even get a second. Damn California rebels

Yeah.. we have/had very well defined dress codes for meetings -- "Class A Attire" which was basically suits and ties, socks and polished shoes required. There was also "Class B" attire for some meetings which was generally a pair of khakis, some closed-toe non-sneakers and polos. Class A was typically what meetings would consist of. Class B would be generally for meetings which were more informal, or where we had a lot to do afterwards.

I'm not sure the "rebel" thing is a really good excuse. It's not like Oklahoma is a place dripping in formalism :)

Well we have proper dress attire for Chapter Meetings...but as formal as yours...we have a business casual policy: button down shirt, khakis or slacks, brown or black shoes, tie, and badge.

I've also found that making meeting attendance optional gets rid of the guys who fool around all meeting with their side conversations. When I was Recorder my policy is: You don't have to be here but don't whine when we do something you don't like. If you ARE here you better have a pen, paper, and not have any side conversations.

Totally gave off a feeling of serious business.

Have y'all tried a seating chart to break up the cliques? The dress code isn't a big deal. I don't know much about how things are out West, but if you say that asking for coat and tie is a dealbreaker, I'll take your word for it.

Have you talked to your chapter about how in order to get your pursuit of excellence points, everyone needs to participate? (at minimum, show up to chapter?)

ETA: I'm not trying to judge your chapter or anything.. just trying to offer perspective. I know y'all are doing just fine.

We focus alot on the etiquette and all that, but I'm not really sure by what you mean as "southern". We did ballroom dancing every other week, suits on campus every monday, and a few other full weeks. Open doors for all the ladies, no cursing in public, ect. ect.

When I think "southern" I think about the AGR's, bunch of farm boys, rebel flags and all that. I grew up in that culture, you're just as likely to see me in a pair of boots, and I love the outdoors with all my heart, but I wouldn't call that sort of southern a "good thing".

That seating chart is a GREAT idea, thanks for the advice! Well we usually have like 90% attendance so it's not a huge problem...just a couple guys who are a bit burned out I guess.

Although just getting back onto our feet, we're pretty Southern when it comes to our policies... we open the door for ladies, stand when they enter the room, have etiquette classes, ballroom dancing classes every sunday with the ballroom dancing club, etc.

Also, we talk about the honor part of Sigma Nu alot...the fact that we're Knights and that we should be Southern gentleman at all times... believe me, the moms are starting to love us, I've had several ladies already tell me that they hope their daughter marries a guy like me. lol

Please don't confuse "redneck" with "southern." Big difference... HUMONGOUS difference :D