[17668] in APO-L
Re: All male chapters
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Kim Linonis)
Thu Nov 20 10:45:43 1997
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 10:47:16 -0500
Reply-To: Kim Linonis <klinonis@ANSC1.CAG.UCONN.EDU>
From: Kim Linonis <klinonis@ANSC1.CAG.UCONN.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
I've sat for days now watching the spirited debate on all male
chapter come flooding into my in box. Time for my 2 cents.
I am an alumn of Delta Sigma at the University of Connecticut. I
served as a voting deligate to the 1988 Convention in Denver (some of
you may remember me. I was part of the chapter that voted NO on a
white ballet for an election while there - it caused quite a stir at
the time.) I have been known for being rather outspoken, to say the
least.
As for all male chapters: They have the right to exist now and I
believe they should continue to have that right via the grandfather
clause. We started off all male and have grown and changed with the
times. But people shouldn't be forced. There maybe many advantages
to co-ed chapters - hell, I wouldn't be debating this now if the men
of DS in 1977 wheren't forward thinking and let us (women) in. Our chapter is
stronger for it - but that may not be the outcome everywhere.
I believe adventually the all males will go co-ed. When they are
ready. But to forget our past because its inconvient for the future
is wrong.
That all said, I believe our efforts should be directed in an aspect
of the all males that has just been touched on: What happens when a
female Brother transfers to that school and wants to be active. Once
a Brother allways a Brother can not be overlooked. This can
potentially cause a major problem within our structure so it needs to
be addressed.
This is a very emotional issue rating right up there with changing
the lines to the Toast Song and should female Brother be called
'Brothers'. But lets not forget that we all were drawn to APO
because of its high ideals and service to others. Even if we differ
on this issue and what we think is best for the Fraternity, we are
all still Brothers. Opinions may differ but the bond is strong.
Remember that APO is an undergraduate organization. Alumni should
respect the direction actives want to take, even if we don't agree
with them. It is their fraternity now - as long as they don't show
disrespect for the IDEALS: leadership, friendship, service - how they
go about achieving those ideals is in their hands. Like parents, we
can only hope we taught them well enough to make responsible choices.
I have babbled enough for one e-mail. Hope all my Brothers are well.
In LFS,
Kim
