Anyone know of any other current Kappa Sigma expansionary activity?

[stufield]

Thanks for the update, Chico State, but take the e-mail with the proverbial grain of salt ... or with our present IMH staff, perhaps a block of salt would be more appropriate. IMH, under the name of the Director of Recruitment and Expansion, sends out lots of these e-mails. But "looking to begin re-colonizing" [my bolding] is much different than actually recolonizing. Sometimes the proposed recolonizations or colonizations get off the ground, and sometimes they don't. So UC Davis MAY come back this Fall. Or it may not. Time will tell.

What I most get out of the e-mail is that the recolonization is not commencing this Spring, as I had understood and hoped it would, but rather is now scheduled for the Fall. I had been told by IMH that UC Davis was a prospective Spring, 2009 recolonization. By Fall, 2009 it may be a prospective 2010 recolonization.

Whenever if might happen, I am sure we all hope that the recolonization of Beta-Phi Chapter does proceed and that will be a roaring success.

[stufield]

KS Akron:

Thanks for the requested info regarding the Akron fraternity chapters. I find it interesting that the two newest fraternities, Kappa Sig and Alpha Sigma Phi, which just chartered at Akron last year, are the two largest.

It will be interesting to see if Phi Kappa Tau, Sigma Nu, and Lonestar survive.

[LucyKKG]

I finally met some of the guys trying to start up Kappa Sigma here (UC Santa Cruz). It turns out they're still an interest group; they need a few more people before they can become a colony. We don't have an organized office for Greek life (it's just part of student orgs), so I know the school won't care either way. They seemed pretty cool. A lot of them were younger.

[chicostateksig]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

I finally met some of the guys trying to start up Kappa Sigma here (UC Santa Cruz). It turns out they're still an interest group; they need a few more people before they can become a colony. We don't have an organized office for Greek life (it's just part of student orgs), so I know the school won't care either way. They seemed pretty cool. A lot of them were younger.

One of my friends from UCSC has also told me of an Interest Group forming at Santa Cruz. She has showed me to the facebook group etc. Yet it may not even go down, I know Sigma Pi has just started a chapter. So this can be hard. Sigma Pi is a fraternity that is furiously expanding in the state of CA recent charters include Chico, Cal Poly, UCSB, UCSC and have chapters in many other schools.

[chicostateksig]

Kappa Sigma has two new colonies. One in Monterey Bay (CSU system) and the lastly UC Santa Cruz. I received an email on updates from new colonies already installed by nationals.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by chicostateksig

Kappa Sigma has two new colonies. One in Monterey Bay (CSU system) and the lastly UC Santa Cruz. I received an email on updates from new colonies already installed by nationals.

Oh no way! UCSC is a real colony? Cool beans. CSUMB has an interesting Greek life. I wonder if they'll get an NPC chapter any time soon.

[jennyj87]

I'm not sure about the FGCU Kappa Sigmas. We were told by panhellenic and IFC to not let them come to our chapters or do socials with them because they were rude to our greek life advisors and are not recognized by the university.

I don't know any of them, but I have seen them with pins on. Could someone explain to me whats going on with that? How, if they are not recognized by us, do they consider themselves a chapter and recruit and such? I'm just curious, this is not meant to sound bitchy or anything

[ryquis]

Originally Posted by jennyj87

I'm not sure about the FGCU Kappa Sigmas. We were told by panhellenic and IFC to not let them come to our chapters or do socials with them because they were rude to our greek life advisors and are not recognized by the university.

I don't know any of them, but I have seen them with pins on. Could someone explain to me whats going on with that? How, if they are not recognized by us, do they consider themselves a chapter and recruit and such? I'm just curious, this is not meant to sound bitchy or anything

They are allowed to wear their pins and letters. Their national chapter recognizes them. That is all they need. They don't have to be recognized by the school to be a fraternity. They are a real fraternity. Not underground. Be respectful. Know your facts before you talk.

[chicostateksig]

Other updates on recent colonies. I have received more updates on current colonies. In California we have CSU Monterey Bay (40 pledged), UC Santa Cruz ( 27 Pledged), UC Davis (25 Pledged), and UC Merced (33 Pledged). I have updates on other colonies across the nation, but these are some of the California updates. Also i hear that UCSD is almost near the acomplishing its chartering feat. Its good to see UC Davis back on campus, and the establishment of UC Merced as a colony. UC Merced will be great in the future as only 2 other fraternities have been established there.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by chicostateksig

Other updates on recent colonies. I have received more updates on current colonies. In California we have CSU Monterey Bay (40 pledged), UC Santa Cruz ( 27 Pledged), UC Davis (25 Pledged), and UC Merced (33 Pledged). I have updates on other colonies across the nation, but these are some of the California updates. Also i hear that UCSD is almost near the acomplishing its chartering feat. Its good to see UC Davis back on campus, and the establishment of UC Merced as a colony. UC Merced will be great in the future as only 2 other fraternities have been established there.

That's great news from California - always good to have a strong presence on the west coast.

ETA: Apparently we've returned to NYU: http://www.kappasigma.org/content/ka...ork-university . This would be a nice addition to the east coast chapters.

[stufield]

With the new academic year almost upon us, does ANYBODY have ANY news regarding new interest groups or colonies, the recolonizations of any dormant/inactive chapters, the closures of any colonies or chapters, or anything else of interest? If so, please post, since the Fraternity Websit is of no use whatsoever. It has not been updated in months, and the chapter and colony map, which as is set out in prior posts on this thread, was outdated when it was first added to the Website in the Spring STILL has NOT been updated!!! So any new that anybody can contribute would be greatly appreciated.

The only news that I can add at this time is that the one colony which was not included in the list provided by chicostate in the immediately preceding post on this thread, Brooklyn College, is scheduled for chartering as the Fraternity's newest chapter, Pi-Phi, later this month. So congratulations to that colony.

[Ithakappasig]

It looks like most of the expansion in the Northeast is being aimed at schools that have an non-traditional base for Kappa Sigma (excepting re-colonizations of course) and most of the schools are less known or up and coming. While this is fine if it works it seems that quite a bit is being left on the table in northeast expansion compared to Kappa Sig's competitors.

I know little about these competitors except through inquiring. It's good to have a yardstick to put impressions in context. From what I can tell Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, SAE and Phi Delta Theta are racing ahead of Kappa Sigma among top northeastern schools. To the extent Kappa Sigma has spent effort it is going after the lowest hanging fruit with what may be the least likely to have long term viability and are least compatible with the culture of Kappa Sigma. Why the difference, why is Kappa Sigma not keeping up with its rivals in the region?

Part of it seems to be the degree and manner in which Sigma Chi, SAE Phi Delt and Beta are marketing themselves. It seems to me each of those fraternity has a definite character and it is one that a substantial number of respected young men on campus want to be associated with. They are also viewed as among the harder to get into organizations.

Fraternities with the most success at northeastern colleges are unabashedly about social connections as much as they are about community service. They aid recruiting by setting up alumni chapters and getting involved in housing guidance and job information sharing. (Housing by itself, even it is just an informal rented house is a benefit that students at new chapters appreciate.) And most of all successful fraternities in this region have good alumni groups in the large cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., (or even Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Buffalo.)

SAE, Sigma Chi, Beta, Phi Delt and I assume SPE have all sought to achieve the distinction of being at every Ivy; most are just one or two schools away. This is not just about getting the biggest names for the sake of it. It is a selling point and a healthy chapter at these schools will eventually be a good source of alumni support.

Kappa Sigma cannot compete with all groups such as religious/ethnic based fraternities or even community service organizations at what they do. Kappa Sigma has to maintain a firm and unique identity- it's tradition as a renaissance secret student society offering mutual aid in what can be a hostile world is unique; as is the modern perception as a traditional fraternity of Gentlemen who accept only the best, strive for excellence and have the strongest sense of brotherhood.

In the Northeast it is just such tradition that attracts young men who cannot find it elsewhere. Students from other regions (the South, Midwest and West) attending northern colleges have often found Kappa Sigma to be a welcoming home. Another policy that helps other fraternities in the Northeast more than elsewhere seems to be drawing graduate students. In any case this is about building quality and identity that will attract others in years to come.

An approach worth emulating at schools that do not recognize fraternities and have no history of them can be witnessed at the SPE Georgetown chapter. Many other Catholic schools still do not recognize fraternities but are not in active opposition, viz., Fordham (NY), Holy Cross (MA), Boston College (MA), Georgetown (DC), Providence (RI), Fairfield (CT). There are a lot of other campuses that are good objectives- Colgate (NY), Canisius (NY), Clarkson (NY), Hamilton (NY), Union (NY), Syracuse (NY), Clarkson (NY), Hartwick (NY), Seton Hall (NJ), Stevens (NJ), Montclair St. (NJ), Kean (NJ), Dickinson (PA), Gettysburg (PA), Villanova (PA), Trinity (CT), Wheaton (MA), Duquesne (PA), St. Josephs (PA).

Students at most of these schools are paying over a six figures for their education so they tend to want clarity in benefits. They can volunteer and anti-drug and alcohol abuse, etc. through the school-- though extra education in these areas is good for a number of reasons it is not necessarily a selling point in recruiting.

In summary, successful fraternities are

1. Selective, approaching student leaders, athletic teams, etc. and selling them on setting up a chapter, even if they pull only handful of the best students to start with;
2. Using social networking communities to find targets;
3. Offering off campus housing, parties, exclusive social and business networking and mentoring, alumni events all in an organized framework;
4. Operating in the conditions that are there- whether that is a supportive administration and Greek community or not;
5. Utilizing a few older alumni, and energetic graduate students chapters and colonies introduced to the targets likely make the fraternity more tangible and gives the potential founding group targets a group to feel the fraternity's bonds with.
6. Supporting alumni chapters get involved in housing guidance and job information sharing;
7. Using blogs and forums to communicate to the members and potential members;
8. Posting organizational legal templates and directions for opening housing corporations, group rental contracts, alumni chapter constitutions and guidance and discount partnerships for opening financial accounts;
9. Offering colonies, chapters and alumni website space or templates;
10. Responsive to the input and communication of their students and alumni.

While Kappa Sigma is second to none, that can only continue if we learn from our competition and then do it better!

[KSigkid]

Ithakappasig:

I would have to disagree with your characterization of Boston College as a school without "active opposition" to Greek Life. I attended school in Boston, and have many friends who attended BC. It has quite an active opposition to Greek Life, and I would be shocked if a fraternity was able to get on campus with the blessing of the college.

I'd say the same for Holy Cross, as it has gone the way of other well-respected liberal arts schools (Williams, Amherst, etc.) in discouraging Greek Life.

There may be hope for expansion at some of the schools you listed (Clarkson springs to mind because it has an active Greek presence). However, you listed some upper-echelon liberal arts colleges that just don't want (and, in some way, don't need) a Greek life presence.

[Ithakappasig]

I'm going to have to disagree with you. First- It was a lot of writing dunno if you caught (recommendation)#4, which answers the question of recognition. As we all know fraternity life in the northeast flourishes at schools where there is no recognition- Yale, Princeton come to mind immediately.

Secondly - the schools mentioned - Colgate (NY), Clarkson (NY), Hamilton (NY), Union (NY), Syracuse (NY), Hartwick (NY), Seton Hall (NJ), Stevens (NJ), Montclair St. (NJ), Kean (NJ), Dickinson (PA), Gettysburg (PA), Villanova (PA), Trinity (CT), Wheaton (MA), Duquesne (PA), St. Josephs (PA) all have vibrant greek scenes.

Thirdly, Canisius, G'town, Fordham and Providence already have Greek organizations- the first two SPE- that have opened the door and flourished.

The group of (Catholic colleges) I initially listed in the earlier post have done well in fraternity growth all things considered.

G'town, Fordham, Providence and BC all have great minority GLO presence and some chapters that partner with them allowing their students to rush at nearby colleges. Fordham has one fraternity operating privately and a second openly, a DKE chapter starting from 1990 finally closed a little while ago but is recolonizing I hear.

Anyone aware of Holy Cross (and its societies, informal group houses and 100 days and Tuesday pub nights) knows that the school is ripe for fraternities except their houses have been upsetting the neighborhood. Fairfield has Fairfield Beach, group housing that informal groups set up in that is very much like a fraternity and sorority row. BC, contrary to your assertion also has a conducive culture.

It is important to know the history here. Until a few decades ago most fraternities were Protestant by rule or custom and hostile to Catholic students, often forbidding their membership. That has changed dramatically. Jesuit schools didn't prohibit fraternities, they just frowned upon them as did administrators during a time when Catholic schools were much more in loco parentis than we can imagine today.

You should not confuse the history with Williams and Amherst at all. These schools have the possible penalty of expulsion for membership in organizations that previously included virtually the entire enrollment. This was not decline in popularity. Nevertheless fraternities continue at both schools, underground, a testament to their popularity.

Princeton and Dartmouth reversed their own draconian penalties while still frowning upon fraternities and dissuading membership. GLO's, old and new cleaned up on those campuses, taking in large numbers of students. I imagine the same would occur at Williams and Amherst.

I think it is easy to say sour grapes because Kappa Sigma hasn't done well in the region but our competitors show that this is really our fault.

[KSigkid]

Ithakappasig:

I'm actually quite familiar with the history at many of those campuses (especially Holy Cross and Fairfield), either through my own visits, or through friends (both high school and law school) who have attended.

I'm extremely familiar with the situation at BC - again, I went to school in Boston, lived in Boston for several years afterwards, and have a large number of friends (around 20 that I can think of off the top of my head) who went to BC for undergrad. I've talked to them at great length about Greek life, and whether they think it could survive at BC. There's a great social scene at the college, and undergrads there aren't knocking down the doors to start greek organizations. (Just curious: what is the "great minority GLO presence" at BC to which you refer?)

Again...I didn't say that Greek Life would be doomed at all of the schools. I already mentioned Clarkson in my previous post, but I know that Colgate, Hamilton and others have university-supported Greek life. I never said that "all" of the schools were anti-Greek.

I'm not sure what "article 4" refers to - is that the 4th bullet point in your post?

You also don't tell me about the challenges of Greek Life at a Northeast campus. I was an EC member for two years on a campus that was not hospitable to Greek life, so I understand the challenges as well as anyone. I have attended meetings where University leadership has expressed a desire to see Greek Life "just go away." I've spent late hours in IFC and IFSC meetings trying to plan rush and other Greek activities for a student body with some hostility towards Greek Life. I know that chapters can be successful in the Northeast, and I also know the challenges that can be barriers to that success.

I would love to see the Order flourish in the Northeast and become a force at the schools you mentioned. I think, though, we have to be realistic and educated about the environments at those schools so that there can be an effective and successful chartering process at each of them. Even more importantly, we need to be chartering in places where we can see the chapter thriving for the next 5, 10, 20 years and beyond.