[9569] in APO-L
No subject found in mail header
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gerald A. Schroeder)
Sun Oct 2 23:28:49 1994
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 1994 23:06:59 -0400
Reply-To: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAP.GWU.EDU>
From: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAP.GWU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Ok, I really do try to stay off of apo-l, although I have not had much
will power in the last few days. I wonder if I can offer some thoughts
that will be both positive and help further the discussion -- and help all
of us do what is best for APO.
Can we agree on the following principles? One, we are all trying to serve
the best interests of our great Fraternity.
Two, our all-male chapters have a right to exist as all-male, and are as
much a part of our brotherhood as every other chapter.
Three, our coed chapters are also as much a part of our brotherhood.
Four, rudeness by any member toward another member or chapter does not
further our cardinal principles.
Five, while some may disagree, all of our chapters have the right to
determine their own membership, including the all-male chapters.
Accordingly, no one should *forcibly* try to deny any chapter that right.
Six, coed chapters should respect the fact that all-male chapters would be
undermined by changes to the Toast Song -- or any other changes -- that
would require them to sing about "women" or use any other gender inclusive
language that did not reflect their membership.
Seven, all-male chapters should respect the fact that coed chapters are
undermined by current language in the Toast Song that requires them to
sing about "men" or any other gender exclusive language that does not
reflect their membership.
Now, I am not the smartest person who ever walked the face of this earth
-- and my wife and others may suggest that the question is not even close
-- but, if we all agree to these principles, it seems to me that there is
a compromise that will further everyone's interests while hurting no
one's.
We are a *Fraternity* and that will never change. But why should we care
whether members on a coed campus refer to themselves as brothers or
brothers and sisters, as long as we can do what we want on our campus?
That is not the question here. The question here is our Toast Song that
we all want to sing together and the same, because that's what unity is.
We can be unified and unique at the same time if we keep the above
principles in mind. I am interested to here responses to my thoughts by
private email unless you think all would benefit. But, I have to tell you
that there is an answer here and, because this is an student-based
fraternity, it is yours to find.
My only advice is that you *must* find it. As National President for the
past four years, I have a perspective that few others do, and I can tell
you that we -- you -- must find a solution for the good of the Fraternity.
And I believe that you will!!
Jerry Schroeder
National President
Alpha Phi Omega
