Brothers:
We are writing to inform you of a vote of the National Council.
The Council has unanimously voted to revoke the charter of the Iota Nu chapter from Alabama A & M University. All active members have been expelled and the chapter alumni will not be allowed to form any Local Alumni Association that supports the band program at Alabama A& M University. Given the nature of their offenses, the National Council has placed a 20 year moratorium on any future colonization on this campus.
This situation is the result of hazing related to their New Member Presentation Show, which violated both University and Kappa Kappa Psi policies.
Brothers, any chapter or individuals found responsible for hazing will be held accountable. That means the National Council will consider dropping the chapter and expulsion for the individual members. Any chapter or individual brother that is found responsible for hazing will be held accountable. Passively watching as hazing occurs in your chapter is not a defense; you are still responsible and will be held accountable. If you do nothing, you are choosing to allow something to happen that is a violation of our policies. Do not presume that any level of hazing is acceptable. Hazing never honors the name of Kappa Kappa Psi. It in no way is in the spirit of Striving for the Highest.
Brothers, I know you find these types of actions as intolerable as we do. Individuals that choose to willingly violate our Fraternity Policies and sacred Ritualistic Vows and harm others through hazing have no place in Kappa Kappa Psi. They tarnish the organization that we love.
In no way does this conduct honor our purposes or advance bands. In no way do such actions demonstrate strength or love for your fellow brother.
Each one of us, each and every chapter, and every individual member and membership candidate has a responsibility to uphold the values of our Fraternity.
The only way that Kappa Kappa Psi can continue to exist is with an appropriate stewardship of our values and policies through our active and alumni members. When we ignore that responsibility and choose to look the other way or to participate in a violation of policies, we endanger the future of the organization, we ignore our oath, and we turn our backs on our fellow brothers. We are better than this.
Since the 2019 National Convention, we have had 3 investigations that have resulted in violations of our Risk Management Policies.
- Cost of Investigations: Estimated at $6,000
- Legal Costs: Estimated at $4,400
These expenses are necessary for the security and future of our organization, but it is not how we want to spend fraternity money. Each brother, each chapter should stop and take a moment to reflect on your chapter activities. Is that activity or tradition worth your membership in Kappa Kappa Psi? Your chapters’ charter? Our fraternity? These risks are real, each time Brothers choose to ignore and willingly violate our policies.
This National Council is very invested in the future of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Brothers everywhere are encouraged to join us in eradicating hazing and any other violations of our risk management policies. All of our Risk Management policies can be found on the national website here: https://www.kkpsi.org/resources/policies/
If you see something in your chapter or another that is questionable, contact your Director of Bands, Chapter Sponsor, your District Governors, National Headquarters staff, or the National Council. Concerns may also reported anonymously using our national website: https://www.kkpsi.org/resources/report-a-problem/
Please feel free to contact Marco Krcatovich, National President, at mkrcatov@kkpsi.org, or Jessica Lee, National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, at jessicalee@kkpsi.org if you have any questions.
AEA,
The 2019-2021 National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi
Marco Krcatovich, National President
Jessica Lee, National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Mike Napolitano, National Vice President for Programs
Bang Co, National Vice President for Student Affairs
Tony Falcone, National Vice President for Professional Relations
Evan Thompson, Immediate Past National President
Dr. Nicholas A. Rorrer, Chair, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Daniel George, Chair, Board of Trustees
Eric Morson, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees