Rob - thanks for the reply - I'll do my best to answer things below:
<<-I'll be the first to admit that I don't know the whole story about the Tau case; same with the MF fiasco, and even other chapters in trouble etc. Why is this? Why is it that so few brothers at the undergraduate level know about these important events in our fraternal organization? What can be done to increase knowledge? The listserve is a sorry solution; the politicking and sometimes-flippant posting make it uncomfortable for many; also, as an example, those attempting to get another side of the story (of the MF case, for example) sometimes meet with unfortunate amounts of resistance. I just wonder how myself (and those not as active as myself) may learn more about these things.>>
This is an EXCELLENT point, and one that many in the Order have struggled with for years. I have requested on numerous occasions that we "open up" the bandwidth and frequency of our communication. I'm not sure what the solution is. Even if we had a third party "news service", that was completely disconnected from the General Fraternity there would be "media bias." For me personally, the answer has always been - find people that I trust throughout the organization, and network with them for the real details. More recently, I have opened up very honest channels with those that I really like, but often find myself on opposite sides of arguments with. Bottom line, don't shut anyone out regardless of rhetoric, and seek out folks you trust. If you've got a possible active solution, I'd love to hear it and help pull it off.
<< I appreciate the assurance that the top awards will go to the most deserving chapters - definitely this adds validity to the process, and makes it seem more worthwhile to apply (vs. being out to 'just win awards', which is ridiculous). Just out of curiosity, how is this determined? From raw numbers from campus, or is there any polling of IFC officers or greek life counselors? (I'm just wondering - I watched our FACE application being done this semester and how it was judged was something that i just didn't understand fully)>>
Basically, there is an Awards Selection Committee that is appointed by the Communications Commissioner (Phil Thames) and his Deputy for Awards (Kyle Van Hoften). Beginning last year, our commission (Mem Dev) began having a representative appointed, primarily to review the Brotherhood Development Award applications, but also to make recomendations on FACE applicants with respect to the chapter's BDP. This year, I sat on the committee myself. My involvement aside, I thin HUGE strides have been made to make the process more dependent on results in view of greek environment that the chapter exists in. There are "baseline" guidelines in each area of statistical data (rush, size, grades, ritual, involvement, service, etc). This year, I came armed with US News and World Report data on every applicant's host institution - so that we could place out chapters in terms of initiation rates vs. school freshmen retention rates, growth vs. campus growth, etc. In addition, a letter from an AA/DGM is required, and a letter of rec from an administrator is required that validates grades, top 1/3 in size, and a couple other things. What this means - chapters at regional state universities where only 40% of freshmen return after one year are NOT held to an arbitrary 80% pledge initiation rate. However, if the chapter is getting smaller when the school has grown, we looked twice. At the same time, if a chapter at an Ivy league school has a 3.3 chapter GPA, and the All Men's is 3.4, we did not disqualify them from a FACE if all the other ducks were in a row. It is definately an art, not a science, and a very difficult one at that. The presentation is as important as the content, full documention is a MUST, and "tone" can kill a deal. I've got some SUPER funny stuff from this years applications that shot down some applications. This year, the committtee is providing very specific feedback to each applicant chapter - win, lose or draw. Hopefully, that will help communicate changing expectations and levels of achievement.
<<-I'm sorry to hear about the theta-omega case, if you would could you explain more about the situation? Again, it is something i didn't hear much about. Trashing the chapter house and whatever is dispicable, and the fact that you tried to help out is admirable.>>
Theta-Omega was closed in 1995 if my memory serves me. The host school had been going through a shift from a traditional 4 year school to a "commuter" campus with LOTS of
students that are "English Second Language." Our chapter, chose to attempt to remain pretty lily white, in an environement in which they were quickly becoming a small minority. Grades were consistently below the AMA/AFA for 3 years. Because the chapter shrank almost 50% in 3 years, there were major financial delinquencies to the general fraternity and vendors. The chapter rarely practiced the ritual as required by the CBR. Many members had been through the initation ceremony, but their initation fees had been squandered by the chapter. There were serious violations of the alcohol policies, that fortunately did NOT result in any injuries, but nevertheless were indicative of the general lack of leadership. I think I recall describing it as an overall failure to thrive.
<<What attempts were made before you became aware of the situation? This is simply to learn more about the process of helping out a chapter in need of attention from national officers, as it is something i have not had any experience with as a brother.>>
Probably why I was most disappointed about the closing - the entire district had been abandoned by the DGM before I affiliated to Epsilon-Upsilon in 1988. I was an AA under this Brother in 1991, and can tell you absolute horror stories (probably not too disimilar from the way things were in your part of the country no too long ago.) Now, I understand that DGM's are not always welcomed commodities, and when that is the case - it's usually a deserved reputation. But this guy just did NOTHING, even return phone calls when we needed him to sign a form. Anyway, we had a new DGM appointed (after we raised hell with some SEC members for 3 years) about 3 months before the Theta-Omega thing reached critical mass. At that point, it was probably too late, BUT I was sent in to try to clean things up, and there was some progress, but the chapter was so small (16), and only 5 of those were REALLY committed to turning the boat on a dime. It just wasn't there. The university has since asked us back, after seeing some recolonizations and the strength of the district today, but it is a DAMN tough campus to thrive on. I would have a hard time supporting a move to recolonize.
<<Overall, Brad, I'm glad to hear from you - opinions such as your own (with your unique perspective, but sans political bias) exist as a resource sometimes unavailable. AEKDB, >>
Thanks Brother, likewise. I was hesitant to post because of the very "uncomfortable" feelings that are sometimes evident to me on the general list. But, I would have felt like a liar just "trolling" the threads here.
Please know that I am as "in the middle" of all the major issues facing Kappa Sigma as my priorities allow, which means I have VERY strong feelings about what's going on. The Brothers and friends that I serve Kappa Sigma with are my family, and if unjustly attacked, I respond. These same men I would die for, I hold accountable to the ideals we profess. That is how I define brotherhood.
(Stepping off soapbox)
But also know that, given the choice, I would spend time with a bunch of undergraduates instead of alumni ANYTIME. To this day, I visit my chapter in Denton at least once a week, and know all the members by name. I have always found immense respect afforded me for the time I spend on their "turf." I pray the same will be true here. I appreciate your affirmation. I will always be honest, straight forward, and do my best to not make things personal while remaining as on fire PASSIONATE as I am about Kappa Sigma!
Are you going to Memphis - I'd love to meet you. Maybe we brainstorm some solutions on the communication thing.
AEKDB
Brad Bracken
Rob[/B][/QUOTE]
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