[11936] in APO-L
Beta Sigma Alpha
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jason Jones)
Mon Apr 17 18:42:26 1995
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 18:42:01 +0500
Reply-To: Jason Jones <jjones@CAPITAL.EDU>
From: Jason Jones <jjones@CAPITAL.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
To: multiple recipients of APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
What's up, Brothers!!!
I apologize sincerely for not e-mailing your inquiries about Beta Sigma
Alpha. Schoolwork has increased dramatically since my last posting, as well as
my workload (I now work for two accounting firms: Kesel and West, CPAs, and
Third World Associates--I do the books for small businesses). Between then and
now (and still now to some extent), I have had to put APO-L in the back seat.
Here is a little more elaboration about Beta Sigma Alpha (my openness on this
post does not change the fact that I still hold it secret--it is because I have
not had the time to e-mail every inquiring brother personally).
Beta Sigma Alpha was the proposed name for our fraternity before we
became Alpha Phi Omega. The name was dropped because it was thought that the
letters Beta Sigma Alpha (or BSA) would be too revealing (Beta Sigma Alpha stood
for Boy Scouts of America), in addition because the Boy Scouts of America, AT
THAT PARTICULAR TIME, would not recognize APhiO/BSA as a "scouting" fraternity.
Note: APhiO was known first as a national "college" fraternity, then as a
national "honarary scouting" fraternity, then as a service fraternity circa
1940.
Now, I still think we should wear Beta Sigma Alpha letters IN ADDITION
TO out APhiO letters (before I go any further I want to clarify in no uncertain
terms that we were founded Dec. 16, 1925 as Alpha Phi Omega--I am just bringing
up Beta Sigma Alpha because it is a lost part of our history that should not
be forgotten, unknown, or reduced to a trivia question for pledges). Anyway,
I know that many women, homosexuals, or atheists will object to wearing the
letters for obvious reasons. This is why I said that wearing Beta Sigma Alpha
should be a matter of personal preference--if you don't want to, fine.
HOWEVER.....
While some of the brothers on the APO-L are discussing the "proper"
nickname, I have one that is derived from Beta Sigma Alpha, and is suitable
for ALL brothers, no matter what their personal charactoristic(s). And on
that note, I introduce to you, our proposed nickname...
BESA! That's right, I said BESA (BEE-sa)
BESA stands for Brothers Everywhere Serving All. It reflects a part of our
history, a part of APhiO, it's non-offensive, it's universal, and the nickname
gives us an acronym that would be hard for any brother to debate. I also feel
that it gives a stronger pull to those disturbed by what Beta Sigma Alpha Stood
for (Boy Scouts of America). It's also unique, and makes way for less ambiguity
such as APO, APhiO, and APhiQ. Bring this up to other brothers and I hope this
clarifies what was Beta Sigma Alpha and a good nickname for APhiO. Write back
(and this time I'll respond promptly).
Peace.
Jason M. Jones
Epsilon Psi 5-7-92 (Just the Two of Us)
Brothers of the Rising Sun!!
