Possible / Alleged Hazing: Southern Mississippi Kappa Sigma "Little Sister"

[BYXEagle]

At last reports the National office of Kappa Sigma had revoked the chapter's charter. The individual campus can not revoke charters, but can refuse to acknowledge them which is what is going on in this instance. The attitude on the USM campus is that Kappa Sigma will continue. This is evident by the comments of several current Southern Miss Kappa Sigmas to various Hattiesburg media. I have several friends in Kappa Sigma and I pray for them every day since this incident. I hope that there can be justice but at the same time the healing and learning that needs to come of this can.

[BYXEagle]

The Kappa Sigmas are still planning on being active I guess even thought they aren't officially recognized by the university. Several members of the fraternity has spoken out for this at www.hattiesburgamerican.com

[USM_Order_Girl]

I'm a recent alumni and sorority member from Southern Miss and can tell you that without a doubt every single fraternity on campus knows that Little Sisters aren't allowed but nearly every fraternity on campus has them. I can go down the row and tell you girls from my sorority and others who were little sisters for fraternities (with possibly 2 fraternity exceptions, I dont know much about two of them). My brother was a Kappa Sigma at another school and his wife was one of their little sisters. I have friends at schools all over the country who are little sisters for fraternities or guys whose fraternities have little sisters. Most of the sororities on campus also have "Big Brothers" of some sort, in fact, I can't think of one sorority that doesn't have them. Even if it is concealed in public, I assure you it goes on. It's not isolated and while it might be "against the rules" with IFC and NPC it doesn't seem to be a rule that is very enforced. I myself am a little sister for a fraternity on campus and have appreciated the opportunity to join with girls outside of my own sorority and to have a join effort with the boys when it comes to philanthropic events and parties.

Little Sister night is supposed to be a fun night of being college kids. Of course being a little irresponsible, but in general just having fun. Millions of kids do these types of things every year, with or without greek involvement. Recently, a young woman I knew passed out and died of alcohol poisoning at a random party one night. She had no one to pay attention and realize she needed to go to the hospital. While I agree that it is horrible that these two girls had to go to the hospital thanks to a night of over-indulgence, we can be thankful that it was recognized that help was needed before it was entirely too late.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by USM_Order_Girl

I'm a recent alumni and sorority member from Southern Miss and can tell you that without a doubt every single fraternity on campus knows that Little Sisters aren't allowed but nearly every fraternity on campus has them. I can go down the row and tell you girls from my sorority and others who were little sisters for fraternities (with possibly 2 fraternity exceptions, I dont know much about two of them). My brother was a Kappa Sigma at another school and his wife was one of their little sisters. I have friends at schools all over the country who are little sisters for fraternities or guys whose fraternities have little sisters. Most of the sororities on campus also have "Big Brothers" of some sort, in fact, I can't think of one sorority that doesn't have them. Even if it is concealed in public, I assure you it goes on. It's not isolated and while it might be "against the rules" with IFC and NPC it doesn't seem to be a rule that is very enforced. I myself am a little sister for a fraternity on campus and have appreciated the opportunity to join with girls outside of my own sorority and to have a join effort with the boys when it comes to philanthropic events and parties.

Little Sister night is supposed to be a fun night of being college kids. Of course being a little irresponsible, but in general just having fun. Millions of kids do these types of things every year, with or without greek involvement. Recently, a young woman I knew passed out and died of alcohol poisoning at a random party one night. She had no one to pay attention and realize she needed to go to the hospital. While I agree that it is horrible that these two girls had to go to the hospital thanks to a night of over-indulgence, we can be thankful that it was recognized that help was needed before it was entirely too late.

Thank you, USM_Order_Girl, for sharing your knowledge of campus practices at USM.

In further news, reportedly the woman who was in intensive care has improved enough to be moved to a regular room in the hospital, according to this article:

http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/800455.html

Originally Posted by USM_Order_Girl

I'm a recent alumni and sorority member from Southern Miss and can tell you that without a doubt every single fraternity on campus knows that Little Sisters aren't allowed but nearly every fraternity on campus has them. I can go down the row and tell you girls from my sorority and others who were little sisters for fraternities (with possibly 2 fraternity exceptions, I dont know much about two of them). My brother was a Kappa Sigma at another school and his wife was one of their little sisters. I have friends at schools all over the country who are little sisters for fraternities or guys whose fraternities have little sisters. Most of the sororities on campus also have "Big Brothers" of some sort, in fact, I can't think of one sorority that doesn't have them. Even if it is concealed in public, I assure you it goes on. It's not isolated and while it might be "against the rules" with IFC and NPC it doesn't seem to be a rule that is very enforced. I myself am a little sister for a fraternity on campus and have appreciated the opportunity to join with girls outside of my own sorority and to have a join effort with the boys when it comes to philanthropic events and parties.

Little Sister night is supposed to be a fun night of being college kids. Of course being a little irresponsible, but in general just having fun. Millions of kids do these types of things every year, with or without greek involvement. Recently, a young woman I knew passed out and died of alcohol poisoning at a random party one night. She had no one to pay attention and realize she needed to go to the hospital. While I agree that it is horrible that these two girls had to go to the hospital thanks to a night of over-indulgence, we can be thankful that it was recognized that help was needed before it was entirely too late.

Probably not the smartest idea airing your business like that...even if you know it isn't allowed.

[exlurker]

Update: Grand Jury Indictments

A couple of news stories or articles; several other news sources in the area around USM have similar or all - but - identical stories posted:

From U of Southern Mississippi site:

http://www.usm.edu/pr/cms/index.php?...=2106&Itemid=2

From the Hattiesburg newspaper's site:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...EWS01/81106046

As I often say, let's all remember the principle of presumption of innocence. These are just indictments.

Edited to add:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...WS01/811080305

The Hattiesburg paper has another follow-up article ^ reporting that other students who were present at / involved in the incident may be disciplined by the university -- not just the eleven who've been indicted.

[Canadian]

I'm a Kappa Sigma up in Canada. I served as a AAA so I am sure of this.

Kappa Sigma forbids the formation of "stardusters" and "Little Sister" organizations of any kind associated with the fraternity. It violates our Code of Conduct and it's very specific.

This was originally done in the 1970s to prevent girls from being passed around as "girlfriends".

Kappa Sigma also has a 1:1 rule, that for every guest, they must be accompanied by a current member. Alumni, wives and parents do not count towards this 1:1 rule (they are exempt). Perhaps this girl was the friend of a member, and we are innapropriately using the title of "little sister" which may be a generalization not usually applied.

Thomas

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Canadian

I'm a Kappa Sigma up in Canada. I served as a AAA so I am sure of this.

Kappa Sigma forbids the formation of "stardusters" and "Little Sister" organizations of any kind associated with the fraternity. It violates our Code of Conduct and it's very specific.

This was originally done in the 1970s to prevent girls from being passed around as "girlfriends".

Kappa Sigma also has a 1:1 rule, that for every guest, they must be accompanied by a current member. Alumni, wives and parents do not count towards this 1:1 rule (they are exempt). Perhaps this girl was the friend of a member, and we are innapropriately using the title of "little sister" which may be a generalization not usually applied.

Thomas

Thanks for the info - I was previously an alumni volunteer, but that was going on 4 years ago, so I wasn't completely sure of the policy.

[Angels&Arrows]

ladybug12, you are correct the young lady in ICU is a member of Delta Gamma.

Edited out of respect!

[33girl]

Sweethearts and little sisters are not the same thing. Sweethearts are fine, that's a title of honor and the girl doesn't have to do anything to attain it.

Do the little sisters have a pledging process?

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Angels&Arrows

ladybug12, you are correct the young lady in ICU is a member of Delta Gamma.

I am unable to think of any fraternity at USM that does not have little sisters or sweethearts. Chapters on both sides proudly show off their little sisters; and the beginning of the school year, after CPC recruitment, but before IFC recruitment is a busy time for little sister ceremonies. I cannot imagine any of 11 IFC Chapters' HQs not knowing about the continued tradition.

If Sigma Chi is doing, they are in clear violation of HQ policy. I have serious doubts that our HQ knows about it and is turning a blind eye.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

If Sigma Chi is doing, they are in clear violation of HQ policy. I have serious doubts that our HQ knows about it and is turning a blind eye.

Note she said little sisters AND sweethearts. Let's hope Sigma Chi has a sweetheart, and that's what she means.

[exlurker]

The Hattiesburg paper has now updated the list of those indicted so that it's complete:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...WS01/811120311

Once again, please remember the presumption of innocence; these are just indictments.

Edited to add: A more recent story on the same paper's site says that three people were allegedly hazed, not two, as previously reported:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...811140312/1002

[Styrofoam]

This past month, the SEC (supreme executive committee, Kappa Sigma's governing body) expelled the chapter at Southern Miss. and also each and every undergraduate brother at said chapter. (read it in an e-mail) this is good information. I am a Kappa Sigma.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by Styrofoam

This past month, the SEC (supreme executive committee, Kappa Sigma's governing body) expelled the chapter at Southern Miss. and also each and every undergraduate brother at said chapter. (read it in an e-mail) this is good information. I am a Kappa Sigma.

wow