[17926] in APO-L
Reply to John Hall
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (JimBeKind)
Fri Dec 12 12:45:40 1997
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 11:05:56 EST
Reply-To: JimBeKind <JimBeKind@AOL.COM>
From: JimBeKind <JimBeKind@AOL.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
JOHN-
First- a little tact and diplomacy please-- we are all brothers-- a
phrasing like "you state....., however as I understand it......" is a much
kinder way to politely disagree.
Second, the policy you quote clearly shows how the Fraternity has
maintained a policy that WOULD allow an all male chapter at a co-ed campus
today. (Note the bold-faced section in your policy quote.) Bill's point is
valid, since the Fraternity allows the members of a chapter to determine its
membership.
Bill is NOT saying he endorses or dissents on this issue-- simply that it
is NOT the Fraternity's policy to intervene. However, as a former Sectional
Chairman in Region Five-- I can relate. We had a re-activation of an Ohio
chapter in 1985 that was an all-male group on a co-ed campus. It was ONLY
thanks to the strong leadership of the Section/Region that the group was
successfully "encouraged" to add at least one female to the re-chartering
group, though they chose a graduating senior and quickly reverted to all-male
the next year. I might note that today they are co-ed.
Remember this is a highly sensitive issue to many in the Fraternity, and,
I believe quite wisely, the brothers of twenty years ago tried to make an
important transition without alienating those bound by tradition. I have
always especially liked the way APO tries to allow as much autonomy as
possible-- it is a testament to the idea of Leadership Development and
undergraduate control of the organization.
- Jim Hahn
Former Section 61 Chair
National LDW Director/Staff
In a message dated 97-12-12 02:21:57 EST, you write:
<< Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 15:16:23 -0500
From: John R Hall <Jrhmdtraum@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Open Membership Apology
Bill Rugh wrote
"In other words, the 1976 Convention adopted a "local option" as far as
co-education went. So, under that Convention action (which has never been
modified by a Convention) any chapter can be all-male, or even, all female."
Bill is WRONG
In addition to the APO articles of membership III, 1. "open to all students",
the policy statement on membership: 3. Other policies state:
" 2.Because all people have the potential to be of service and to be
leaders and friends, active membership is open to all students and
should represent a cross section of the student body. Chapters have
the right to determine their own membership. Active membership
shall be granted only within the context of the National Bylaws, the
Standard Chapter Articles of Association, and the rules and
regulations of the school involved" >>
