[Ithakappasig]

Was trying to lighten things with "'article' 4" (tongue in cheek) since I knew I was going to disagree but yes, the 4th (numbered) point. It turns out that we do not disagree to the extent that I assumed but this 4th point is important- I'll revisit it in a moment because I think it deals with most of the problems that you present.

I also want to set aside Boston College because I think making an issue of one of twenty listed colleges doesn't serve the point but I have a grad school friend who was in Alpha Phi Alpha and I understand that their metro chapter (and other black and Hispanic fraternities) draw well from their, considering there is such a limited number of minority students there. If a dozen African Americans for all BGLO's were drawn from 5% of the student total at university that doesn't even support greek life I think that's astounding.

The few Catholic colleges mentioned that do not have a Greek scene or a nascent one should not be discounted however. At the Catholic schools with fraternity scenes it took one fraternity (not students usually but an organization) to opened the door at most of these type of schools. In many cases Catholic schools with a dozen fraternities today had none 25 years ago. Right now the fraternity opening the door to these schools isn't Kappa Sigma but aggressively growth minded fraternities that are not as tradition bound such as SPE, PKA, LXA. And Sigma Chi, Beta, SAE and Phi Delt are on their heels. And that is largely because they are flexible and responsive to their environment.

I think it is safe to say that fraternities by far and large grow out of the following: initiative of organizations, absorption of existing organizations, students that observe and take part in fraternities (visitors, discontinued pledges, etc.) but want something they own, transfers and graduate students and other alumni.

No fraternity should expect that a group of students where there is no fraternity life are going to organize themselves and present themselves and let's face it, their money, for a few letters since that is all they could expect from a fraternity that hasn't invested the time to organize and present the possible benefits they could bring.

Fraternities, especially Kappa Sig or Phi Delt (NIC issue) cannot expect that the IFC's to be able to really stand up for students' rights to freely assemble; nor can they expect all colleges to be supportive. There would be no fraternities at many northern colleges in that case.

I mentioned Harvard, Yale, Princeton to typify elite schools in the northeast (where we are incidentally absent while our rivals are present) but one could give a large list of northern schools where fraternity life is not recognized or only some frat-s are recognized or new fraternities are not welcomed by administrators but fraternity life flourishes anyway. I am not sure of the policy but it would be a shame if Kappa Sigma took the position that handicaps itself in ways that others do not by insisting upon university support to start or continue chapters. So the 4th of those ten recommendations seems to be appropriate to the main challenge that you experienced and see as a hurdle at many schools in the northeast.

Incidentally, I read a recent NIC report that said the biggest percentage growth is at (drum roll) Catholic colleges and the Northeast from the past two years. That doesn't mean its easy however.

I know about the challenges of Greek life in the Northeast. That's why I put up what I believe are the methods that successful Greek organizations use. I focused on other extra-regional fraternities instead of just those that have deep roots at top northern schools like ADPhi, etc. or those national competitors who are just very different from Kappa Sig.

The heart of it is though that our rivals- SAE, Sigma Chi, Beta, Phi Delt and even others are having tremendous success in the Northeast being flexible in approach while maintaining the character of their organization- so it is doable. Kappa Sigma just hasn't held the region as a priority, with NYU seemingly an aberration rather than part of a plan if Stufield is right. Not going into Conclave discussions but I think the talk didn't meet the planning.

Perhaps we are going to have to relax 50 guys to charter rule (the national will still bring in lots of money with a third that number if they maintain it) or be flexible in other ways- I listed 10 and would like to hear others. I really believe that despite opposition from some quarters that this is another golden era and that fraternities that fail to take advantage will see themselves in lean times while those that sow now will reap for years to come.