Here are answers to questions that we often receive from parents whose sons are considering joining Kappa Sigma:
1. WHAT IS A FRATERNITY? WHAT DOES IT DO TO FURTHER THE GOALS OF TODAY'S UNDERGRADUATE MEN?
Simply put, a fraternity is an organization of women or men bound together by friendship, aspirations, and common goals. On a college campus, a student will find many opportunities to get involved in an array of different fraternities, whether they are solely based on academic honorary, academic major, community service, religion, ethnicity; or whether they are social fraternities such as Kappa Sigma. Kappa Sigma's main objective is based on building a better man while encouraging him to participate in as many other campus organizations that he may choose. More specifically, Kappa Sigma looks to provide the opportunity for the male student to enhance his fellowship circle, leadership skills, scholastic involvement, and service contribution to the local community.
2. WHY DOES KAPPA SIGMA CALL ITSELF A "VALUES-BASED" FRATERNITY?
Far too often, a parent may have a preconceived notion that a fraternity is based purely on an "animal house" party atmosphere. It is not within Kappa Sigma's ideals to promote the party, but instead our four cornerstones of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. Through these principles, a male student will enhance his college career and become a better man for joining the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
3. MY SON IS CONSIDERING JOINING A KAPPA SIGMA CHAPTER, WHAT CAN I EXPECT HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN?
Instantly, a parent will find his son meeting a whole new social circle which will put him in contact with various student leaders, teachers, and alumni in the community.
As your son begins his membership in Kappa Sigma, he will initially begin as a pledge. The term pledge is in no way meant as a degrading term, but as a term to describe his period of membership in which he evaluates Kappa Sigma. During the pledging process, your son will be considered a prospective member and will undergo a pledging period.
At the end of the pledging process, your son will be asked by the chapter if he would like to join the members and undergo initiation. In no way is the initiation to be construed as hazing or degrading, but rather the opportunity for the pledge to learn the founding and history of Kappa Sigma. Again, your son will be given a choice of which he is free to choose from; and his answer will be respected.
4. WHAT IS KAPPA SIGMA'S ANTI-HAZING STANCE?
Membership in Kappa Sigma is a privilege. Each member, pledge or initiate, undergraduate, and alumnus, is bound by this Code of Conduct.
Each member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity is responsible for seeing that he:
- Acts as a gentleman, setting an example of moral behavior;
- Conducts himself as a good student, good neighbor, and good citizen;
- Obeys the laws, rules, and regulations of his country, state or province, city and county, and college or university;
- Understands and abides by the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, including the Standards of Conduct, the acts and resolutions of Grand Conclaves, and his chapter's by-laws; and
- Does not engage in, permit or tolerate hazing, or the unlawful use of alcohol or possession of controlled substances.
When the Fraternity finds that any member fails or refuses to abide by this Code of Conduct, the Fraternity may take such actions as permitted by the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules up to and including removing the individual from membership in Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
5. WHAT IS KAPPA SIGMA'S PERSPECTIVE ON ALCOHOL?
Kappa Sigma promotes only responsible drinking to students of legal drinking age. Kappa Sigma goes even further to promote responsible drinking by use of Kappa Sigma's "My Brother's Keeper" program.
6. WHO ARE SOME OF KAPPA SIGMA'S ALUMNI; AND WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE KAPPA SIGMA EXPERIENCE?
The greatest thing about Kappa Sigma alumni is the diversity: their professions span from successful politicians to esteemed business leaders, to famous singer/songwriters, and PGA tour golfers. Kappa Sigma doesn't want a cookie-cutter image of its members but actually looks for group dynamics in order to develop stronger life-long bonds.
7. WHO CAN I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
As Kappa Sigma leaders, we do not only expect questions, but we encourage them. By answering the questions, we look to ease the concerns and address the misconceptions a parent may have.
The best answers for a parent will come from the local campus and chapter itself. So, please contact the Greek Affairs Advisor on campus, Alumnus Advisor in the community, or the President of the undergraduate chapter. The Kappa Sigma Headquarters is also a great source for answers or direction to contacting the local officers.