Fraternity Dues and Fees

Firehouse · #1 09-23-2006, 11:34 AM

Our guys (FSU) think it's a much better deal for us because of the size.

PiKAMu · #2 02-19-2007, 06:29 PM

I am glad its better for all of yall at big schools but its a hell of a burden for us at small schools

AymanKappaGamma · #3 02-20-2007, 02:08 AM

1

Firehouse · #4 02-20-2007, 10:05 PM

I wouldn't say that Sig Ep was "one of the top fraternities in the world", or if they are, they haven't been there for long. Traditionally, Sig Ep was not one of the major players. They call themselves the "largest fraternity" because they have a huge number of chapters and so their undergraduate population may be larger.
Sig Ep has been very aggressive and has had a lot of success, albeit recently. You have to give them credit for their ambition.

I like having pledges, but I want us to eliminate hazing. I'm not in favor of numbers above all things, but the big fraternities do feast on the smaller ones, and I don't want to be the prey.
You'd be surprised about chapter size at small schools. A school with 2,000 students as you cite is most likely a private school. Let's say 1,000 of them are men. If there are four fraternities, two will be rivals, and strong. They should easily maintain 65 men. If the 2,000-student school is a public institution without a student body that can financially or socially support fraternities, then we shouldn't be on that campus.

I guess what I'm telling you is: don't be concerend that Pike national is patterning themselves after Sig Ep. That is not happening. Pike is, and should be, comparing themselves to peers like SAE and Sigma Chi.

FratAmerica · #5 02-20-2007, 11:51 PM

I've never understood - or had much patience for - the second-person "nationals" references. WE are a national fraternity and WE make decisions through governance and legislative processes WE have developed. WE vote for the board of directors (Supreme Council) and WE vote for legislation (like the change in the dues structure - which was only voted on by chapter delegates by the way). To point fingers at "nationals" is misguided. So, this is OUR policy - until WE change it.

I also don't agree that WE are becoming too myopic in the pursuit of chapter size or scholastic achievement. WE are focused on both, but I think WE'd all agree that the "Cornerstones" program - which is the basis for OUR awards - goes further and does better than any other fraternity awards program to recognize achievement across the board and in the areas that matter most, like character and conduct.

Finally, I must respectfully disagree with Firehouse about fraternity standings. SAE and Sigma Chi would only be considered our peers if we were doing a 20 year analysis. SAE, in particular, has fallen on hard times and I know that even recently their national finances were in ruins. (Their CEO is an academic for crying out loud.) Sigma Chi doesn't face those types of issues, but they are no where near where they used to be.

For at least the past ten years, SigEp has been the competition - and, for most of those years, they've been winning. We've kept the per-chapter pledging and initiation statistic leads, which is important, but they are kicking our butt in almost every other metric. Total chapters, total members, educational programs, industry image/PR, innovative programs, national fundraising, etc. It doesn't sadden me to say this, because I think we need a kick in the rear, but they are Number One.

Firehouse · #6 02-21-2007, 12:51 AM

Wow.
Didn't mean to fire up the engines, but I am glad that you're passionate about the Fraternity. Nothing ever improves unless someone is unhappy. PiKA has benefitted over the years from passionate hell-raisers who pushed for better performance and a grander vision. You are obviously up on the latest developments.

I didn't know that SAE was in financial trouble. How did that happen? They have large, strong chapters in great houses, which is pretty much the definition of enduring strength. I have noticed that more Sigma Chi chapters are in trouble, but still, thay have the same string of great chapters, well housed.
And you are right about Sig Ep's ambition. They are building great houses and they emphasize size. On the other hand, I much prefer our cornerstones program to their balanced man. Am I wrong in thinking that Pi Kappa Alpha still has the largest average chapter size? That's important.

I have been disheatened to see some of our traditionally great chapters at major schools lose their competitive standing. Back in the day, Texas Tech, U-Texas, U-Florida were among the best. I agree that we could, we should, try to do better. There's no point in playing if we don't try to win.

AymanKappaGamma · #7 02-21-2007, 03:19 AM

What you say is very true, WE do decide the fate of this fraternity and the stance nationals takes. I just see some actions being taken that I don't remember ever voting on. The new garnet and gold's for example don't have a textual preamble, only a picture of it. They also ommitted the ode to a pledge.

I'm completely against hazing and feel as we continue to recruit prouder and more distingued men it's complete demise is inevitable, but to remove traditional information from our pledge manuels is a bit unnecessary.

Also, it is true that we do have the healthiest chapters of any national fraternity for the past 20 years. Our expansion teams are the greek world's standard and our continued education and university events are amazing. Pike is moving in the right path and the number one spot is within reach.