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

[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

[Canadian]

I attended District Conclave recently, and the issue of little sisters came up.

Apparently, it's not just protection of girls from becoming official sex objects. In the 70s, groups of women sued Kappa Sigma because they were participating in events and were not allowed to initiate, although as "little sisters" they were unofficially recognized as members. Kappa Sigma maintained the fellowship of Brothers was for men, not everybody who wanted it. Kappa Sig lost, and as a result little sisters were outlawed, so that they would not have the legal backing that they were participating unofficially.

If you claim to have little sisters who participate in similar pledgeship rituals, you are violating the Code of Conduct of Kappa Sigma and you could be up for membership review. I'm very big on rules and order (much to the disdain of some of my fellow brothers) and I'd be upset if other people, who weren't part of the fraternity, sued to be allowed to initiate. I may do "Greek" stuff, but I don't demand to be initiated into Sigma Chi. There are options for girls who want to be Greeks, and it seems pretty hokey to want to be Kappa Sigmas.

This is totally different from sweethearts. If your girlfriend bakes cookies for a party, she's not a little sister. If she's a nametag hostess, she's not automatcally a sex toy or a legal member.

Thomas

[Styrofoam]

Originally Posted by Canadian

I attended District Conclave recently, and the issue of little sisters came up.

Apparently, it's not just protection of girls from becoming official sex objects. In the 70s, groups of women sued Kappa Sigma because they were participating in events and were not allowed to initiate, although as "little sisters" they were unofficially recognized as members. Kappa Sigma maintained the fellowship of Brothers was for men, not everybody who wanted it. Kappa Sig lost, and as a result little sisters were outlawed, so that they would not have the legal backing that they were participating unofficially.

If you claim to have little sisters who participate in similar pledgeship rituals, you are violating the Code of Conduct of Kappa Sigma and you could be up for membership review. I'm very big on rules and order (much to the disdain of some of my fellow brothers) and I'd be upset if other people, who weren't part of the fraternity, sued to be allowed to initiate. I may do "Greek" stuff, but I don't demand to be initiated into Sigma Chi. There are options for girls who want to be Greeks, and it seems pretty hokey to want to be Kappa Sigmas.

This is totally different from sweethearts. If your girlfriend bakes cookies for a party, she's not a little sister. If she's a nametag hostess, she's not automatcally a sex toy or a legal member.

Thomas

This is 100% accurate. Our new code of conduct that was passed around to the chapters has a section based on little sister programs. If you have a sanctioned program, you were given 60 days to tell the district grandmasters of your district with no penalties, outside of that 60 days, you could easily be up for expulsion. no questions asked.

[TAPike]

I am a Pike at USM, our house is right next door to Kappa Sigma, I also knew DG who was hospitalized very well, I've known her since middle school actually.

I'm still unsure of what happened, I am just happy that she made a full recovery. She is still attending USM and is still a member of Delta Gamma.. People involved were charged with attempted manslaughter and a hefty fine.. Trials haven't occured yet.

I have friends who are Kappa Sigmas and I do feel sorry for them a bit. They all moved into The Cottages, which is basically a gated townhouse community and they are having parties and such using the name Sig Nation.. Nationals isn't too happy about that and has been asking students to contact them if they are using the Kappa Sigma name at events..

The backlash is kind of a good one. Hazing is still predominant in the deep south for some reason.. and now Greek Life has made changes as to where hazing is very hard to do, and Initiation week (hell week) is basically going to have to be non hazing.. They set up a window in which we must initiate our pledges.. there recommended week is 12-18th of January.. during that time they will be doing walkthroughts during the day but at 5pm they will stop to respect our rituals.. but if they suspect hazing University Police will be involved.

It's not bad nor good.. it's just alot of precautions are made now, little sisters are also abolished and I know sororties are making sure none agree to be little sisters.. The reason alot of nationals bans them, as I'm sure it was mentioned, is because by initating them into being a "little sis" and having them involved as a partial member makes them..a partial member.. which makes it difficult for the fraternity to be an all male fraternity.

Anyhow,

USM greek life is making changes.

Thanks guys.