Phi Sigma Kappa
Encyclopedia
Phi Sigma Kappa's Creed and Cardinal Principles
The 1934 Convention in Ann Arbor brought more changes for the fraternity. Brother Stewart W. Herman of Gettysburg wrote and presented the Creed, and Brother Ralph Watts of Massachusetts drafted and presented the Cardinal Principles.World War II
The 1938 Phi Sigma Kappa Convention adopted the six-degree membership structure to honor the six Founders, especially as a tribute to Founder Brooks, who had died only a few weeks earlier. The first professional manager of the Fraternity was hired that same year, marking still another organizational response to growing need in a critical period. The hardships of World War I and the Great Depression were scarcely overcome when World War II arrived. The extraordinary efforts by which the Fraternity survived are another and longer story; the important fact is that Phi Sig did survive. The 1948 Convention in Boston marked the 75th anniversary of the founding. There were 52 active chapters; the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation had been established, primarily to reward good scholarship among brothers; and the Signet was guaranteed to all members for life under a plan that had few parallels in the Greek world at that time.Turbulent Times
The post World War II era saw Phi Sigma Kappa recover from the worst consequences of that crisis, after which Phi Sigma Kappa and all Greek organizations had to address issues related to membership restrictions, hazing, and the need for responsible programming which complements the educational mission of our host institutions. Phi Sigma Kappa responded to these challenges by removing unwarranted restrictions on qualifications for membership, acting in concert with other NIC fraternities to eliminate hazing, and revising the membership education program to reflect its purpose of building a true appreciation of the fraternal principles. Still, another challenge to fraternities occurred with the anti-Greek feeling which spread throughout the country in the late 1960s and 1970s. Membership in Greek organizations declined significantly during these years, and a number of chapters were lost.Civil Rights
Although the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa had never previously provided restrictions on membership in its written charter or regulations, an informal "Gentleman's Agreement" encouraged local chapters not to admit minorities to membership. In a letter dated June 28, 1954, D.R. "Spec" Collins, the then-President of Phi Sigma Kappa, announced that from his point of view, "the entire fraternity system-which is truly an American institution engaged in the service of building good American citizens–is being challenged. Challenged by those subversive elements who, by encouraging us to quarrel among ourselves may cause us to destroy ourselves. The 'divide and conquer strategy' that might well eliminate a great American institution." According to President Collins, members should be warned that an anti-discrimination issue would be raised at the next Phi Sigma Kappa convention, and that members should guard against "subversive elements."At Phi Sigma Kappa's 1952 General Convention in Bedford, Pennsylvania, Phi Sigma Kappa's formerly unofficial "Gentlemen's Agreement" was written into the national organization's bylaws as the Bedford Resolution and was adopted by a small majority. The Bedford Resolution read, "That the fraternity's tradition be maintained in the sense that there be no pledging or initiating of Negro men until such time as they are acceptable to all chapters." Later that year the Alpha Triton Chapter at Wesleyan University disaffliliated itself rather than de-pledge a black student it had pledged in good faith and reformed as Gamma Psi. Chapters at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, Hartwick College
Hartwick College
Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...
& Knox College were expelled from the Grand Chapter in 1953 for pledging an African-American student. The Hartwick College chapter reverted to its former local status as Alpha Delta Omega. The Tau Chapter at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
disaffiliated from Phi Sigma Kappa, citing racist membership policies of the fraternity as its motivation. It became a local fraternity, keeping the "Phi" of
Phi Sigma Kappa" and the "Tau" from being the Tau Corporation of Phi Sigma Kappa, becoming the new organization of Phi Tau
Phi Tau
Phi Tau is a coeducational fraternity at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Founded in 1905 as the Tau Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, the organization separated from the national fraternity in 1956 over a dispute regarding the segregationist and antisemitic membership policies of the...
, in May 1956.
In 1968, at its Chicago convention, the national fraternity amended its constitution and by-laws to prohibit discrimination in membership on the basis of race, religion or national origin. In 2009, Phi Sigma Kappa amended its Constitution to include the following nondiscrimination clause: "No chapter shall discriminate in recruitment or in membership based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation."
The Merger
Phi Sigma Kappa first discussed mergers at the onset of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when most fraternities were in danger of falling apart as students went to war. The issue was not discussed seriously again on a national level for decades.
In 1980, a Phi Sigma Kappa Council meeting included the subject of mergers on its agenda. The outcome of the discussion was the conclusion that Phi Sigma Kappa would only participate in a merger if it was the continuing fraternity: Phi Sigma Kappa was open to absorbing a smaller fraternity.
In 1984, a chapter of Phi Sigma Epsilon
Phi Sigma Epsilon
Phi Sigma Epsilon was a North American social fraternity that operated for 75 years until it merged with the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity...
placed a call to the national headquarters of Phi Sigma Kappa to discuss the fact that several Phi Sigma Epsilon chapters were unhappy with the services of their national organization and that they were interested in Phi Sigma Kappa's expansion efforts. These chapters were considering a change in national affiliation which is not possible under rules of the NIC
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
. A call was made between the presidents of both national organizations but a merger was not explored.
Later on in the fall of 1984, the two fraternities were placed next to each other at a table during the NIC
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
conference. Discussions commenced and the members at the conference discovered that they had more in common than the first two letters of their respective fraternity's names. Phi Sigma Epsilon's beliefs in justice, wisdom, and honor closely paralleled Phi Sigma Kappa's cardinal principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and character. Phi Sigma Epsilon was in the midst of difficult administrative and financial circumstances and most chapters were in the interior of the contiguous United States. Phi Sigma Kappa, although relatively strong both administratively and financially, was concentrated on the east and west coasts of the country. It was found that both organizations had similar rituals upon the report of a brother of Phi Sigma Epsilon who had become an adviser of a Phi Sigma Kappa chapter. That chapter had allowed the faculty adviser to view the rituals of Phi Sigma Kappa. This was an error on the part of the Phi Sigma Kappa chapter but it allowed the two national organizations to otherwise resolve the awkward question of how similar their secrets were.
Chapter questionnaires, meetings, and communications regarding a merger would occupy both fraternities over the course of several months. Phi Sigma Epsilon narrowly voted in favor of the merger in June 1985. Phi Sigma Kappa's convention was not until August but initial responses were overwhelmly positive.
On August 14, 1985, the merger was approved and formalized. At the Convention in 1987 in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, two years following the merger, the crest and flag were changed in order to incorporate the symbolism of Phi Sigma Epsilon.
After The Merger
Not all chapters of Phi Sigma Epsilon participated in the merger. Seven chapters would go on to form Phi Sigma PhiPhi Sigma Phi
Phi Sigma Phi is a US national fraternity founded on July 30, 1988. There are now 11 chapters of Phi Sigma Phi nationwide. The current National President is Shawn Head.-History:...
in 1988.
Since the merger, the Phi Sigma Kappa has grown at a rate of roughly one net chapter per year.
In 2002, Phi Sigma Kappa left the NIC
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
but rejoined in 2006. This was the second time the fraternity had left the umbrella group only to rejoin several years later.
Organization and Legal Status
Phi Sigma Kappa is divided into three distinct entities: Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation, and Phi Sigma Kappa Properties. The Phi Sigma Kappa International Headquarters is staffed by administrators who handle many of the day-to-day operations in the fraternity as well as coordinate and plan many events, meetings, and other programs held by the Grand Chapter and the Foundation.The Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation
The Foundation, incorporated as an entity separate from the Grand Chapter in 1947, serves as the financial backbone of the fraternity. It is facilitated by a Board of Trustees which appropriates funds for various programs and scholarships administered by the Grand Council. The money for this comes from member dues, pledges, and donations. The Foundation is immensely important to the growth and maintenance of the Fraternity. Some of the programs it funds are Leadership School, Undergraduate Scholarships, the Grand Chapter website, and Regional Conclaves.Phi Sigma Kappa Properties
Phi Sigma Kappa Properties (PSKP) is the newest of the three Phi Sigma Kappa entities but plans to become a full service real estate management and development corporation. PSKP held a long-range planning meeting in August 2005, which was facilitated by Grand Council Director Tim Vojtasko. The organization developed a set of five long-range goals for the next five years and beyond. Those goals include:- To become the largest (assets owned and managed) property management organization in the Fraternity world
- To double the number of houses owned by a PSK related entity; also 40 houses (owned and managed) in 5 years
- To hire an executive director/CFO with a complete staff of 5 within 5 years
- To develop a world-class model for owning, managing and financing fraternity properties
- To be able to offer all PSK related properties the opportunity to be owned and/or managed by PSKP
Flag
The official flag is 7x5 feet in dimension and includes three horizontal bars of equal height. The bottom bar is red and symbolizes First and Second Degree members, the foundation of the fraternity. The middle bar is silver for Third and Fourth Degree members, indicative of the field of fraternal service. The Greek letters ΦΣΚ are located in the center of this bar. The top bar, also red, commemorates Fifth and Sixth Degree members, who are those of Grand Chapter recognition. The silver and red tumbling T's logo inscribed in a triangle of silver is located at the left end of the upper bar.Membership
Membership in Phi Sigma Kappa is available to male students attending a college, university, technical institute, or community college with a Phi Sigma Kappa chapter provided the man is not a member of a nationally-recognized social collegiate fraternity. This opportunity extends not only to undergraduates but also faculty, graduate students, and former students. Membership is also possible at a chapter elsewhere than the man's place of higher education if that place lacks a chapter. Additionally, honorary membership is provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. Specific requirements for membership may vary between places of higher education and chapters but minimum requirements are nationally legislated. Membership in Phi Sigma Kappa can be dissolved only by death or expulsion.Degrees of Membership
- First Degree: members of undergraduate chapters
- Second Degree: members elected to symbolic offices
- Third Degree: alumni and those initiated as graduates, former students, faculty, or honorary members
- Fourth Degree: members appointed to an office by the Grand Council or Grand President
- Fifth Degree: members elected to the Grand Council
- Sixth Degree: members who have been elected Grand President
Local Chapter Executive Board Structure
Each chapter's executive board is composed of six officers according to the ritual of Phi Sigma Kappa:- President - Presides over the entire chapter and other executive board members
- Vice President - Manages chapter committees
- Secretary - Records the minutes and handles correspondence
- Treasurer - Works with the chapter's finances
- Sentinel - Guards and presides over chapter rituals and also manages risk.
- Inductor - Presides over the current class of associates