Quote:
Originally posted by Erik P Conard
The professional outfits like Phi Mu Alpha (Sinfonia) and Alpha Phi Omega (once-Boy Scout service club) from time to time have chapters on campuses and operate as a social when the
school does not allow nationals, like Luther College, in Iowa,
and these groups try to fill a need denied by the institution. Of course, there is U of Michigan,. home of professional fraternites,
and many have houses there...side by side with the socials, but
do not--in most cases--compete with the 'traditionals.'
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This has been covered in the "Non-Social GLO's... Do You Consider Us Greek" thread, but since it got brought up here.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is
not a professional fraternity. It was founded in 1898 as a social fraternity for students in conservatories and music schools, which often maintained some distance (figuratively if not literally) from sheltering institutions. Over the years, it took on many of the aspects of a professional fraternity and began to call itself a professional fraternity -- it was one of the founding groups what is now the Professional Fraternities Association. Even so, it never lost many of the characteristics more usually associated with social fraternities -- in particular, it never limited membership to music students, nor did it focus on preparing men for careers in music. In the 1980's, however, partly as a result of the desire to remain single-sex, the Fraternity voted to return to completely to social fraternity status -- all references to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia as a professional fraternity were removed from governing documents, communications, etc. The Fraternity has made quite clear for almost 20 years that were are not a professional fraternity.
That said, you are right that many chapters of Phi Mu Alpha got their start in the days when we were considered professional and professional fraternities were allowed on campuses where socials were not. It is also quite true that old habits die hard with some chapters, who still avoid interaction with other general/social fraternities and may even still call themselves "professional." But many chapters have now joined their campuses' IFC's, and the idea of Phi Mu Alpha joining the NIC is being actively discussed -- I have heard that this may very well happen within the next few years.