Nov. 22 Report to AMS Assembly, Re: Fraternities and Sororities

7/30/2019 Nov. 22 Report to AMS Assembly, Re: Fraternities and Sororities

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Table of Contents

1. Letter from AMS Executive 2. AMS Constitution (Section 7.01.13) 3. Queens Encyclopedia entry on fraternities and sororities 4. Fraternal follies, Queens Alumni Review ......5. Queens University Senate minutes from 1932 1934 6. AMS Blog Post ..7. AMS Blog post results 8. Letter from AMS legal counsel ..9. Letter from Queens University legal counsel ..


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The Executive of the Alma Mater SocietyJohn Deutsch University Centre, Queens University

Kingston, ON K7L 3N6

Phone: (613) 533-3001 | Fax: (613) 533-3002

November 2

Dear AMS Assembly,

In recent years, the issue of fraternities and sororities at Queens, and the AMS consti

surfaced repeatedly. Over the past month, we have spent considerable time and energy explor

and history of fraternities and sororities1 at Queens University, the reasons for the AMS ban membership since 1934, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and

well as policy options moving forward. We have heard arguments for and against the existenc

and sororities at Queens, from students, alumni, and community members. We received over

to a blog posted on October 18th, and although the feedback form was not intended as a survey

shared were insightful. We have also consulted AMS and University legal counsel in order to

understand the role and authority of both the AMS and the Universityneither of which are b

Charter of Rights and Freedomsin restricting individual membership in a group and restrictaffiliation or resources.

Throughout this process, we have attempted to balance the information and opinions

mandate of the Society: to serve and represent the best interests of our students. In doing so, w

guided by the AMS Constitution, including the Societys mission statement and operating stat

have included them here for your reference:

AMS MISSION STATEMENT

To serve and represent the diversity of students at Queen's.

AMS OPERATING STATEMENT

1. The AMS shall strive to be non-racist, non-sexist, non-homophobicand otherwise

non-discriminatory;

2. The AMS and its representative shall adhere to the Queen's Code of Conduct;

3. The AMS and its representatives shall act in an accountable mannerand be access

membership;

4. The AMS is an equal opportunity employer.

As a Society, we are bound by the AMS mission and operating statements. As an Executive, w

support and embrace these statements, professionally and personally as Queens students and


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AMS Constitution

Part 7: EXTRACURRICULAR ORGANIZATIONS/CLUBS

Section 7.01 Ratification and Guidelines

7.01.13 No member of the Society shall be an active member of any fraternity or sorority,

organization composed of students and former students which has a secret oath, constitut

or which has a sign of identification such as a pin or Greek letters, or which is affiliated wit

organization outside of the University. An active member is a member who attends regula

and pays dues. The Society shall prosecute any violation of the above regulations through

appropriate tribunal.

This regulation shall not be construed to forbid membership in such organizations as frate

which most members are not students. These include the Masonic Order, the Knights of C

International Order of Oddfellows, various political parties and other similar organizations

The AMS Constitution is available at:http://myams.org/about-your-ams/governance.as
http://myams.org/about-your-ams/governance.aspxhttp://myams.org/about-your-ams/governance.aspxhttp://myams.org/about-your-ams/governance.aspx


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Fraternities and Sororities

Fraternities and sororities have been banned at Queens since a ruling by theAlma Mater in 1933. The ruling was a response to the formation of two fraternities in the 1920s, one f

Science students and a second, more active one, for Medical students.

A majority of Queen's students, who prided themselves on egalitarianism and united com

disapproved of these organizations because of their external affiliations and the exclusivit

fostered.

A coalition of anti-fraternity forces, led by theLevana Societyand Arts and Theology studeAMS elections of 1933 and sponsored an open meeting of about 1000 students inGrant H

which students voted to ban all fraternities and sororities.

The 24 members of the Medical fraternity, however, defied this ban and were brought be

Court in 1934 for contravention of the AMS constitution. They were found guilty and decla

to participate in all student political, social, and athletic activities for a year.

This finally brought an end to fraternities, but the medical students carried on what becam

Medical House, a residence for medical students at 49 King Street East.

There have never been any sororities at the university.

SeeQueensAlumni Reviewarticle "Fraternal Follies"(published January 2010), for an in-d

perspective on the battle against fraternities and sororities at Queen's

Source: http://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/f/fraternitiesandsororities.html

Accessed October 1, 2012
http://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/a/ams.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/a/ams.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/l/levanasociety.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/l/levanasociety.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/l/levanasociety.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/g/granthall.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/g/granthall.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/f/fraternitiesandsororities.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/f/fraternitiesandsororities.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/f/fraternitiesandsororities.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/news/alumnireview/fraternal-follies-0http://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/g/granthall.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/l/levanasociety.htmlhttp://www.queensu.ca/encyclopedia/a/ams.html


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No female students have ever tried to organize a sorority on campupossibly because they had residences earlier than the men and Goo

Matheson, Gordon, and Muir Houses offered some of the best aspesorority houses, but there was a time in the early 1930s when it lookfraternities were taking root at Queens. And they might well have dthe Alma Mater Society (AMS) -- with the support of then-Principal WHamilton Fyfe -- hadnt moved to outlaw them. In fact, 2009 markedanniversary of an historic student vote to ban fraternities and sororitcampus, a move that followed a bitter and at times emotional debat

headline-making prosecutions that left a segment of the student popangry, hurt, and forever resentful towards their alma mater.

This little-known page of Tricolour history was inadvertently highligh2009 when the University honoured retired Kingston businessman GThomson, BCom34, at the first-ever Spring Reunions Re-Convocaceremony.

A few words of explanation are needed to clarify what this has to dofraternities.

Thomson was a former student, who never actually graduated from He was in the third year of his studies when he dropped out to workfathers insurance business. That was in late 1933, the nadir of the

Depression. Times were tough. My family had no money, he recalPeople were still buying insurance policies, but often it was difficultthe premiums.

Despite never having completed his degree, Thomson went on to a business career. For many years he was one of Kingstons leading operating successful insurance and real estate brokerage businesse

volunteering for many civic causes. Through it all, he remained a loyQueensman and encouraged his son, George Thomson, LLB65, this footsteps. The latter did so, and, unlike his dad, was able to com

Arts and Law studies. The younger Thomson has enjoyed such an legal and public-service career in Ottawa that Queens gave him an


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members of the Class of 1934 who were still living, the University awhim a certificate hailing him as an honorary graduate of Arts34. Wh

good friend, Emeritus Professor (Political Studies) Stewart Fyfe, ArtMA55 (no relation to Principal Fyfe), contacted the Review to ensurnews was duly reported in the magazine, he mentioned in passing Trole in the dramatic events that led to the banning of fraternities andat Queens in 1934.

This was the first Id heard of this. I knew that the University had out

fraternities and sororities, but I had only a sketchy knowledge of theThe news that Thomson was a key figure in the process prompted mhim up in hopes of learning the details.

Although he turned 100 in August 2009, Graham Thomson was stillhale and hardy when I called on him a few weeks later. Since he livof those grand old Victorian houses just a few blocks north of camp

suggested that I drop by to see him. He would, he said, tell me the srole in the drama that ended in Queens banning fraternities and so

I was the president of Delta Omega Kappa in 1933, Thomson recaI visited him. I think it was some medical students who were the firsfraternity on campus. According to the Review archives, that is corrits only half the story. Longtime Review editor Herb Hamilton, BA3

relates in his 1977 book Queens Queens Queens that Edward Wo1910, MD 1914, told him a chapter of the New York-based Phi Sigmwas active on campus in the 1890s and early 1900s.

For several years, the group flew below the radar, as we now say.when the administration this was happening, the principal issued anbanning fraternities, that was the end of that. Well, sort of.

Another old grad, J. Arnot MacGregor, BA 1915, MD 1921, told Hamin the years just prior to WWI, he and a group of his classmates -- sstudents being ever ready to challenge authoritystarted a group cEat-a-Pie-Club. It violated no University ban and, as Hamilton note

i t d th d f G k l tt i t


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Thomson also explained that the local chapter of Delta Omega Kaploosely run and took what he describes as a relaxed approach to its

It was also Queens-oriented, much to the dismay of the fraternityAmerican brothers, who sometimes came to Kingston for meetings.a bit too lenient about things for their liking, said Thomson.

1934 Queen's Meds fraternity pin that has been made into a

Despite this, the fraternity remained in the cross-hairs of those who opposed to the group on principle. When the slate of officers put forthe Arts-Levana-Theology party, staunch anti-fraternity types, swep

in the 1933-34 AMS elections, winning five of six executive positionThomson knew there would be trouble. It came quickly.

New AMS President Albert Winnett, BA34, set up a three-member fcommittee to look in the operations of fraternities on campus and toreport on the two such groups that were known to be active -- DeltaKappa and a medical students quasi-fraternity called Psi Delta Phi.

wake of that report, Winnett and his executive team proposed a twoamendment of the AMS constitution. One part banned all Greek-lettsocieties from campus and the other slapped controls on any clubsstudents living together forsocial purposes and governed by a cons

These proposals were debated in an open meeting held in Grant Hagathering drew more than 1,000 students, who listened as impassio

speakers on both sides of the issue stood up to have their say. Howwhen the din had died and the votes were counted, the ban on fratesororities (which were included even though none were active on cawas approved by the required two-third majority; the measure havinwith clubs was not.


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favour of the constitutional amendments banning fraternities becausdidnt want to divide the campus or have things broken up at Queen

said. His membership kept their frat initials in an altered form and beD.O.K Club for a year or two.

Herb Hamilton noted that some medical alumni never forgave the nprofessors who had encouraged them to join Nu Sigma Nu and who

joined it themselves . . . .

Principal Fyfe

The measure adopted that fall was endorsed by Principal Fyfe, whothe good sense of the students and their elected representatives. annual report for 1933-34, he wrote, We do not want [fraternities] abecause the whole University is itself a fraternity, and our brotherly would inevitably suffer from rival loyalties and from the exclusive sp

fraternities tend to foster.

Herb Hamilton noted that some medical alumni never forgave the nprofessors who had encouraged them to join Ni Sigma Nu, and who

joined it themselves, but who never spoken up. Neither did the alumPrincipal Fyfe for backing the ban on fraternities (they assumed hedtheir fraternity his tacit approval, only to unilaterally withdraw it later

However, after the 1934 prosecution of the 24 Meds student membeSigma Nu (including four star varsity football players) made nationamatter has never again been a live issue at Queens. That was truwhen Hamilton made that observation, 33 years after that historic stvote. And it remains true to this day, 75 years later.


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Fraternities & Sororities At Queens:

Report for AMS Assembly on the Arguments and

Opinions Submitted to the AMS Executive

BackgroundIn the early 1930s the AMS and the University banned fraternities and sororities on cam

which is reflected in AMS Constitution Section 7, precludes AMS members from be[

member of any fraternity or sorority, that is, any organization composed of students and fo

which has a secret oath, constitution or pledge or which has a sign of identification su

Greek letters, or which is affiliated with any organization outside of the University.

It has been nearly 80 years since the ban was implemented and the AMS feels that it is tim

consultation, to hear from students, and to have a campus-wide discussion on this issue.

has therefore solicited feedback regarding the ban and the place of fraternities or sororit

through an online form located on the AMS blog.

Statement Regarding MethodologyThe AMS Executive would like to make clear that this phase of consultation has been aim

sense of the arguments and opinions that exist amongst alumni, the student body, and

stakeholders. The Executive feels that it is important to provide stakeholders with an

provide written, anonymous feedback regarding this issue. The process of consultation t

been intended as a poll. The information contained herein is not necessarily reflective

the AMS Executive, or any other AMS staff member.

Fraternities & Sororities: For and Against

The online feedback form generated 118 responses. 48 students identified themselv

respondents identified themselves as alumni, and 4 respondents identified themselves

members. 34 respondents declined to select one of these options. This table summarizes

provided through the feedback form. It should be noted that the responses in this tab

harms and benefits of fraternities/sororities themselves. The Other Comments/Argubelow includes legalistic, big picture considerations.

For Against

Fraternities/sororities can carry out philanthropic

activities having a positive impact on the

There already exist plenty of ways to

in the Queens and Kingston commu


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Fraternities & Sororities At Queens:

Report for AMS Assembly on the Arguments and

Opinions Submitted to the AMS Executive

Other Comments/Arguments

Freedom of association: Students should have a right to associate themselves with any

choosing. The AMS should not be in the business of banning our membership from p

certain kinds of groups.

Recognition of status quo: The existence of at least one fraternity including AMS memb

been confirmed. Students involved in this organization should not feel persecuted.

Probationary period: The ban could be lifted for a time, during which the AMS and U

monitor the effects of these groups, or lack thereof, on the Queens community.

Individual choice: Students make the decision to come to Queens as opposed to o

universities that allow fraternities and sororities. Students must therefore abide by the r

with their chosen institution.

Case Study: In April 1983, Princeton University lifted a decades-old ban on fraternities

their opposition to these types of groups. Today, 15 unrecognized fraternities and

including over 700 undergraduate members.

Comparative groups: A number of organizations and informal on campus already act li

by promoting a culture of excessive drinking and other destructive behaviours.

Equality of opportunity: All AMS clubs and services, while potentially restrictive in terms o

open to any student who wishes to participate. Fraternities/sororities would functio

arbitrary and restrictive basis.

Distinctions: There is an inherent difference between cultural and religious fraternities

secular Greek-Letter Organizations.

AMS resources: Notwithstanding the existence, or lack thereof, of the ban itself, th

withhold resources from fraternities, including funding, space, or official recognition.


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Nov. 22 Report to AMS Assembly, Re: Fraternities and Sororities

Documents

Transcript of Nov. 22 Report to AMS Assembly, Re: Fraternities and Sororities