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

[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.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for the update, TAPike.