Grand Polemarch's Executive Order Number Three
WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has not only outlawed pledging, but bans from its membership those who submit to such a vile process; and
WHEREAS, the Kappa Alpha Psi membership intake process is the sole method for obtaining membership in the Fraternity and said process is designed specifically to attract and retain members of high academic, moral, social, civic, ethical and religious standards; and
WHEREAS, some wayward members of Kappa Alpha Psi, who do not subscribe to our motto of achievement, have elected, in open defiance of the rules and regulations of the Fraternity, to conduct underground pledging and engage in acts of hazing in clear violation of Fraternity rules and criminal statutes of the various states; and
WHEREAS, such members' criminal behavior is repugnant to all for which Kappa Alpha Psi stands; and such members are renegades not wanted and clearly deserve, because of their behavior, to forfeit their membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, it is the specific intent of the Executive Order to serve notice to parents, students, colleges, universities, law enforcement officials and the world that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., forbids pledging and/or hazing and urges the public to report any such suspected activity to the Fraternity, the student affairs division to the college or university and especially to law enforcement officials.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Any member, who participates in underground pledge activities, or hazing of any kind, shall be expelled from the Fraternity. Any Chapter or member who conducts, or participates in, any activity which reasonably suggests or infers that pledging is a permitted activity in Kappa Alpha Psi shall be fined and suspended for a period up to five (5) years.
2. Any member of Kappa Alpha Psi who submits to, or who administers physical punishment or force of any kind on another member, as part of, or in any way related to acceptance in Kappa Alpha Psi shall be expelled from the Fraternity. Moreover, any member who witnesses or who obtains knowledge of such conduct and does not report it as set forth in paragraph three (3) of this order shall be fined and suspended for a period up to five (5) years.
3. Any member who has knowledge of underground pledging or hazing, or who has been told of such activity, or who should have reasonably known of such activity, and does not report it to the Province Polemarch, or the International Headquarters, or to the student affairs division of the college or university or to law enforcement officials within 48 hours of acquiring such knowledge shall be suspended from the Fraternity for a period up to five (5) years.
4. Any Chapter which refuses to reveal the names of parties who engage in underground pledging or hazing shall have its charter automatically referred to the Grand Board of Directors for suspension or revocation.
5. No undergraduate chapter shall permit a person who is not in good standing with the Fraternity to participate in any of its Chapter meetings or activities not opened to the general public (non-Kappas). Moreover, no undergraduate chapter shall permit any person who is a member of a Chapter which is on suspension, or has been expelled, or whose charter has been recalled, revoked or suspended, to participate in any of its activities not opened to the general public. If a Chapter cannot determine by evidence such as a current financial membership card that a visiting member is in good standing, then the Chapter shall presume the person is not in good standing and shall exclude him from Chapter activity. Neither protocol, courtesy nor etiquette are reasons to deviate from this Order. A violation of this Order shall result in a suspension of the Chapter for s period of five (5) years.
6. Every undergraduate chapter shall maintain, as part of its active files, those confidential bulletins and other listings where disciplinary actions have been published and shall refer to this file in determining which members and Chapters are not in good standing.
7. No members of a Chapter which has been expelled, suspended, or whose charter has been recalled, revoked or suspended, may hold office of any kind in the Fraternity until after such person has graduated from college and become a member in good standing with an Alumni Chapter.
8. No person shall be admitted to membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. who has knowingly or willingly submitted or subjected himself to a pledge process or who has participated in an "interest" group. Any person who knowingly or willingly submits to a pledge process or who has participated knowingly in an "interest" group shall be permanently banned from membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
9. Any person who represents himself as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, or who leads others to believe he is a member by wearing insignia of Kappa Alpha Psi, and who has not been officially registered at the International Headquarters as a member shall be referred to the college or university of jurisdiction, or to local law enforcement officials, or injunctive relief shall be sought to enjoin the behavior of such person. This paragraph's enforcement provision shall also apply to any person who is under suspension or who has been expelled from the Fraternity and continues to represent himself as a member or who continues to wear Fraternity insignia.
10. The Grand Board of Directors shall review all Chapters' charters where underground pledging or hazing has taken place, regardless of the action already taken by a Province Polemarch. Whenever any Chapter is suspended, or its charter is suspended or revoked, the Province Polemarch shall cause hearings to be held pursuant to Statute 21, Section 7, to determine if any member or members of the Chapter were accessories to the circumstances which caused the Chapter to be disciplined. If a "code of silence" is determined to have caused the Chapter to be disciplined, this shall be deemed prima-facie evidence against all members of the Chapter who engaged in the "code of silence," and such members shall be fined and suspended pursuant to said Statute.
Individuals may contact the International Headquarters of the Fraternity by writing: 2322-24 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132-4950 or calling 215.228.7184.
This being for the good of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and for the public good, accordingly, it is Done and Ordered this 28th day of March, 1994.
Robert L. Harris, Esq.
Grand Polemarch
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
2322-24 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132
ATTEST: Samuel C. Hamilton
Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer
Cleophus Thomas, Jr.
General Counsel