Letter to the Editor: Response to Letter on Kappa Sigma Colony
We the Kappa Sigma Fraternity wish to respond to a recently published article about our West Haven Colony. In April of this year, several students of the University of New Haven contacted Kappa Sigma of their own accord and expressed their desire to become affiliated. It is not now nor has it been our practice to preempt recruitment at universities where there is not yet demonstrable interest. UNH students, of their own free will, assessed the current offering of Inter Fraternity Council Greek organizations and presumably found much left to be desired. Over forty UNH students and members of your community therefore took the initiative to create something new and satisfactory and successfully petitioned the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Kappa Sigma desires in every circumstance to work as partners with the universities our members attend. The group of students took all steps to create this partnership, but were unsuccessful. Kappa Sigma respects the university’s decision and priorities.
Kappa Sigma has priorities that may not necessarily align with the University of New Haven IFC. We seek first and foremost to offer the pinnacle of positive Greek life experience to any student who proves themselves worthy of membership. After examining the school’s existing Greek life composition and assessing the needs and gaps described by the petitioning students, Kappa Sigma decided to establish the West Haven Colony. Kappa Sigma volunteers, staff, and the petitioning undergraduates established an agreement with university administrator Gregory Overend, to not use UNH trademarks and logos, imply university recognition, or use campus facilities for colony events. The colony has fully honored this agreement and will continue to do so until recognition status changes.
Kappa Sigma wishes to make it clear to the IFC that the fraternity will fully support our colony members and continue to honor the right of students to freely associate with whomever they choose. Make no mistake, only the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the members thereof decide who represents our organization. The University of New Haven IFC cannot and will not decide who can obtain the privilege of Kappa Sigma membership.
In its two months of existence, the West Haven Colony has accumulated over 600 hours of community service throughout the Greater New Haven area and continues to work to better its community. Kappa Sigma takes great pride in our position as the largest and most successful college fraternity. The West Haven Colony will continue to perform not simply at the level expected by the University of New Haven IFC of its member chapters. It will perform at the level that has made Kappa Sigma the singular dominant fraternity in the world and afford an example that others may equal, but none excel.
Kappa Sigma looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with the University, its students, and Greek Life.
Student • Nov 21, 2017 at 12:10 pm
“Kappa Sigma wishes to make it clear to the IFC that the fraternity will fully support our colony members and continue to honor the right of students to freely associate with whomever they choose.” IFC doesn’t control anyone, nor does it intend to pursue any goal of the sort. It has made no effort to embargo individuals from events. IFC operates based on the cooperation of recognized fraternities at University of New Haven to ensure that a level of quality is maintained by all participating organizations. Here is the issue: Kappa Sigma makes its own rules, and does not have to adhere to the regulations of the University of New Haven, or to the regulations of IFC. This creates a caustic effect for many fraternities who have taken the time to follow the rules. In the realm of recruitment, they may recruit at any time, and do not have to obey the “deferred recruitment” clause. This means that Kappa Sigma can practice “freshmen scalping” (recruiting freshmen before they have a chance to go through rush week) among other unfair practices. In the realm of conduct, Kappa Sigma is accountable only to themselves, and potentially their headquarters. It is as individuals that they are accountable to the rules of the University. This means that there is no university screening for their events, thus they do not have to adhere to a standard of safety or caliber. Essentially, its like playing a game of chess where your opponent gets 3 moves for every 1 move you get. No one wants to play. This why IFC made the statement, not to “control who gets membership in kappa sigma”
Anonymous • Nov 21, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Don’t all national fraternities have standards for conduct and safety? I can’t say I’m happy about the situation either, but claiming they don’t have to adhere to safety rules seems like a bit of a straw man.
Anonymous • Nov 22, 2017 at 8:54 am
It seems like he’s more so saying that they don’t follow the standard that the school demands and are at an unfair advantage because of it, not that they’re lawless
Student • Nov 21, 2017 at 11:27 am
Kappa Sigma wishes to make it clear to the IFC that the fraternity will fully support our colony members and continue to honor the right of students to freely associate with whomever they choose. Make no mistake, only the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the members thereof decide who represents our organization. The University of New Haven IFC cannot and will not decide who can obtain the privilege of Kappa Sigma membership.