Page 2 - Sigma Chi - Syracuse Winter 2018-19

Greek System under Siege and Facing Challenges Nationally.

What is Next for Psi Psi?

By Hank Suominen ’78
Recently, the Mu Mu Chapter of Sigma filed parallel lawsuits against Harvard judgment for the theme of a “satirical
Chi at West Virginia University disassoci- University in federal and state court. The humorous skit” at Theta Tau at Syracuse
ated from being a university-recognized suits are in response to the university’s University has caused uproars on several
student organization, a group of fraterni- policy that blacklists their students—our fronts. If you have not seen the video of
ties and sororities (Sigma Chi included) members—by sanctioning those who the skit conducted by the newly initiated
filed a lawsuit against Harvard University choose to join single-sex organizations, members, you can probably still find it on
claiming discrimination against single-sex regardless of whether or not those orga- YouTube.
social organizations (even those-off cam- nizations are recognized by Harvard. This
pus and not affiliated with Harvard), and is an untenable example of overreaching In my humble opinion, while the choice
very poor judgment about a theme for institutional policy, and Sigma Chi has of themes demonstrated very poor judg-
satirical humor at Theta Tau at Syracuse chosen to stand up to Harvard to fight ment, the last time I looked it up, being
University are just a few examples of the for the rights of our men, as well as stu- stupid when it comes to exercising judg-
Greek system being under siege. dents everywhere who find great value in ment about what is supposed to be funny
the experience provided by a single-sex was not yet a crime. Yet the university went
The Mu Mu Chapter of the Sigma Chi organization. To read more about the about suspending the participants in this
Fraternity disassociated from West Virginia background and stay up to date with the incident, neither giving them any oppor-
ciation. This caused a massive head-[ “Greek life is changing [ nor giving them any opportunity to
University (WVU) on August 12, 2018,
tunity to explain how it was they came
effort, visit standuptoharvard.org.
to exercise such poor judgment,
due to a series of issues with the
school. This was an idea proposed
understand what university rules
by the Sigma Chi International
and regulations or federal and state
Headquarters (HQ) during the
fast. We need to be
laws were broken. Students filed
Balfour Conferences in the sum-
a lawsuit and were granted some
mer of 2018, but had not yet been
approved at the time of disasso-
So what does this all mean to Psi
moment’s notice.”
ache between the chapter and HQ, prepared to adapt at a relief: https://tinyurl.com/ybn3dckf.
which thought the university had Psi undergrads and alumni? First of
been treating the Mu Mu Chapter all, there is a report from the con-
unfairly for some time. Not receiving a Sigma Chi established its Kappa Eta sultant hired by the administration
fair-due process in WVU’s “Reaching the Chapter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that is due out any day—we have to see
Summit” plan and the school not allowing in May of 1992, and we have enjoyed what recommendations are made. If the
freshmen to rush in the fall were two of a history wherein the men who have environment becomes too toxic and anti-
these complaints. joined that chapter have become some Greek, it might be prudent to follow the
of the most loyal and successful Sigma path of the Mu Mu Chapter formerly of
After trying to resolve some of the con- Chis within our ranks. Our chapter has WVU and disassociate from ’Cuse on our
flicts with the school, Grand Consul W. never been recognized by Harvard and terms with the blessing of Sigma Chi HQ.
Thomas Geddings Jr. referred to the WVU has always operated independent of its
Administration as ”tone-deaf” and sup- purview. Yet, our students are now subject Such a step would relieve pressure in
ported the chapter’s decision to disassoci- to sanctions by their university simply for some ways, including that there would be
ate. Since then, the Mu Mu Chapter has belonging to Sigma Chi.” less compliance oversight by the univer-
maintained much better communication sity administration. However, it would put
with HQ. The chapter has also joined the The Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Chi more pressure on the chapter to “operate
WVIIFC, an independent fraternity council at Stanford University lost recognition of by the book” when it comes to compli-
created in unison with four other frater- its charter over, among several issues, fly- ance with state law and Sigma Chi policy,
nities that left the school but have the ing the American flag. Actually, they were and there would be loss of privileges
support of their respective headquarters. asked to take down a 3-foot by 5-foot such as not being able to participate in
You can read more about the details at flag and did so, only to put a 4-foot by intramurals, and Derby Days would lose
https://tinyurl.com/GeddingsStatement. 6-foot flag in its place. As Jack Nicholson participation of other Greeks.
said in in A Few Good Men, “And that’s a
At Harvard University, the elimination of crime? I’m being charged with a crime?” For all practical purposes, House Corp’s
same-sex social clubs is the desired pub- might not be the perfect answer, but role would be unchanged. We would run
lic policy for the university. From Tommy you get my point. Read about it here: the real estate as we have for the past
Geddings’ letter on the topic: “The Sigma https://tinyurl.com/y8epq6vj. five decades. Greek life is changing fast.
Chi International Fraternity, along with We need to be prepared to adapt at a
other interfraternal entities and plaintiffs, No doubt about it—the very poor moment’s notice.

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