[15517] in APO-L
All Male Chapters and stuff
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (The Mad Trinidadian)
Tue Nov 12 18:48:00 1996
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 18:46:46 -0500
Reply-To: The Mad Trinidadian <preppie@WAM.UMD.EDU>
From: The Mad Trinidadian <preppie@WAM.UMD.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
You know something? This discussion is all wel and good, but we have to
be rational about it. The all male chapters were protected under the
grandfather clause. They have as much a right to exist as coed chapters
do. I think that all the coed chaps that have problems need to remember
this point. At the same time, the all male chaps must have respect for
their female counterparts. The women of Alpha Phi Omega are full-fledged,
card carrying brothers just like us men. I have heard some harrowing
stories of utter disrespect shown to female brothers that approach all
male chapters about participating in projects. RESPECT is the key word my
brothers! We have to show some to get some. That seems to be the general
problem here.
I served as Chapter Operations Chair at the Dallas National Convention.
There were many debates over the issue of words in the Toast Song. If I
remember correctly, there was a lot of discussion between the brothers
that were testifying and one brother, on my committee, who was a brother
at an all male chapter. I felt like a referee at times. All this stuff is
related and we should stop an think about all of it. I don't now, nor
would I ever, want to see the all male chapters go coed. It is a reminder
of how the national fraternity got started in the first place. But, at the
same time, I would have to say that I have always enjoyed being part of
coed chapters.
That's all for now. Respond if you must--I'll answer any and all mail!
In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
Marlon Anthony 'Muffin' Jefferson
Founding Brother, Alpha Gamma Eta, University of Vermont
Brother, Xi Rho, SUNY Oneonta
Former President, Mu Omicron, Clarkson University
Former Deputy Membership VP, University of Maryland, College Park
