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.
Fellowship
Joining Kappa Sigma provides opportunities for fellowship, fun and personal growth that you simply can't get elsewhere. Over 220,000 men have joined and enjoyed the unmatched experiences, involvement and lifelong Brotherhood that Kappa Sigma offers.
Take the lead. In Kappa Sigma, Brothers learn to get involved in their communities and take the lead when something needs to be done. Countless Brothers, including senators, governors and CEOs, have stated that Kappa Sigma gave them the leadership skills they needed to succeed.
Kappa Sigma helps men excel in the classroom. From its earliest beginnings in Renaissance Italy, Kappa Sigma has existed to promote scholarship to its members. Over $250,000 is awarded each year by the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund to Brothers who demonstrate success in scholarship and leadership. At the chapter level, Brothers help Brothers learn about the campus, provide advice on professors and classes and help study for class assignments.
Helping others is part of being a Kappa Sigma. Brothers spend thousands of hours working in their communities and raising thousands of dollars for worthy causes each year. From organizing park clean-ups to serving as Big Brothers to organizing charity rock concerts, Kappa Sigmas work hard for their causes. College is fun, but only service to others gives men the great feeling of knowing they've helped someone and made a difference.
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:
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. Leadership amongst Kappa Sigma members is also fostered and encouraged through Kappa Sigma's new value and character-based training called the "Kappa Sigma University."
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 and the span from successful politician and esteemed business leader to famous singer/songwriter and PGA tour golfer. Kappa Sigma doesn't want a cookie-cutter image of its members, but actually looks for group dynamics in order to develop stronger life-time bonds. You can find a list of some of our prominent Kappa Sigma alumni here.
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.
Feel free to contact any of the following with questions or concerns:
Ryan Schoen '11
President
rschoen@mit.edu
Dan Hyatt '11
Vice President
dhyatt@mit.edu
Sanjay Divakaran '08
Graduate Resident Advisor
sanjay_divakaran@hms.harvard.edu
Taylor Gilbert '11
New Member Educator
taylorg@mit.edu
Larry Colagiovanni
District Alumnus Advisor
larryc@alum.mit.edu
Kaya Miller
Assistant Dean of Fraternities, Sororities, Independent Living Groups, and Residential Life
kmiller@mit.edu