Mississippi State University’s Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter will have a hearing in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, in hopes of regaining its charter.
After the chapter’s alcohol violations in September, Kappa Sigma national fraternity administrators revoked the MSU chapter’s charter. Now the fraternity is preparing for the hearing in hopes of getting its charter back.
MSU’s chapter of Kappa Sigma chapter is directing all questions about the situation to their national office. Mitchell Wilson, executive director of the Kappa Sigma national fraternity office, confirmed the Delta Chi chapter of Kappa Sigma has requested to have its charter back.
“They will now have a hearing before the supreme executive committee, which is our board of directors,” Wilson said. “I am sure the alumni and undergrads are getting petitions together now.”
Wilson said at January’s hearing, the chapter members attending can expect the committee members to consider a wide array of chapter activities while making their decision.
“What usually happens is that our supreme executive committee looks at the chapter’s history from the past several years,” Wilson said. “They take all of that into consideration, positive and negative aspects.”
Student Association President Blake Jeter said the Kappa Sigma situation is unfortunate, not only for the Greek community but for the university as well.
“For decades, Kappa Sigma has been an organization that has been a pillar on campus by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity, producing Presidents of the Student Association and leaders in numerous organizations and producing proud alumni of this university,” Jeter said. “The bond of Kappa Sigma to this campus through its devoted alumni and service to the university is very strong, and Mississippi State is a better institution over the years because of them.”
MSU students seem to have mixed feelings about the status of Kappa Sigma and the position of the chapter.
Freshman wildlife and fisheries major Isaiah Ware said he does not think Kappa Sigma’s national fraternity, nor MSU is being too hard on the chapter.
“There are rules put into place for a reason by the university and by their nationals that must be followed, and if they are not followed, they should face the consequences,” he said. “Maybe, if they can start to follow those rules again, they can get their charter back.”
Ware also said he does not feel bad for the fraternity because the violations they made are serious.
“Minors shouldn’t be served,” he said. “There have been so many violations that were very unacceptable.”
Sophomore biological science major Nnedi Ezeala-Harrison said she believes Kappa Sigma deserves its charter back.
“Everyone makes mistakes at times,” she said. “Future generations shouldn’t have to suffer for what the current members have done.”
Ezeala-Harrison said she thinks there are multiple things the Kappa Sigmas should do to gain back the trust of the MSU community.
“There are a lot of character-building things they could do, like community service,” she said. “The issues [members of Kappa Sigma] are facing are a big deal.”
Ezeala-Harrison said underage drinking and drinking too much are problems for Greeks and non-Greeks, but she believes the Kappa Sigma chapter should be held responsible for the violations.
“I know it happens to a lot of college kids, but it is their fault if someone has too much to drink at their house,” she said. “Someone has to be responsible for handing out those drinks or allowing them to be there.”
Jeter said he has no doubt, with or without the loss of its charter, Kappa Sigma will continue, or will in the future, to be an important and valued member of the campus community.