[Erik P Conard]

While I threw no stones about the "all 50"charterings,I did, tho,
have some rancor intended as regards the definiton of "fraternity"
these days. The traditional "fraternity" among my generation was
a housed group, male or female (not co-ed), residental campus.
B U T I will admit that has changed. We even include the new word "wannabee." I have to hold back on this, short of revulsion,
but perhaps we can widen the name and meaning of the term. It
may be now we stretch "fraternity" membership to e-mail or a concept of fraternity, water it down to a generic term. That oughta placate some of the angry and hateful ones in here. Yes, it might be good to definie our terms for each of us seem to have our own notions. Dr. Frederick Rudolph...of Williams....a wonderful chronicler of higher education history, said he thought
the rise of fraternities out of the literary societies came about to ease the burden and boredom and loneliness of the nights of
nothing to do in those small environs, enrollments sometimes under a hundred, no girls yet. These instituions were in small
communities, just a cut above of the monastery or seminary. Then the Phi Psis built a cabin the in woods at Gettysburg, and the Betas got going in Miami...whilst Bob Jones still has qualms
about holding hands among other greek-lettered groups with a
petrified penis.
So, at any rate Sig Ep did CHARTER in all 50, AKL first in the west
and Zete pioneered Canada. The hen's clubs (non collegiate) have invaded campuses to offer females fraternity without the intensity or responsiblity of the "traditional sorority."
So be it.
Maybe we are comparing apples and oranges.
And, Frau Brüher...perhaps we can still like or be civil to each other.
Sig Ep, from here, is King. Tell me ONE state they have NOT placed a charter and I will prove you wrong. Long live the King!