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Kappa Alpha Is Banning Old South

Old South Outfits

Old South, KA’s time-honored formal event during which people dress up in hoop skirts and weird, old-timey suits for funsies, has been increasingly banned by universities, for fear of being deemed racist. It’s up for debate whether the attire itself is actually racist, or if it was simply worn by a bunch of racist people during a racist time, but ultimately that’s not for me to decide or care about.

Now, Kappa Alpha itself is getting ahead of the curve, and banning the event all together. From a letter from Kappa Alpha Nationals sent to members, obtained by TFM:

The Executive Council and adopted the following regulations during their meeting held on November 12 2015 in San Francisco, California. Pursuant to Kappa Alpha Laws Article 5, Section 121, these changes shall take effect January 18, 2016.

R16-113, OLD SOUTH, CHAPTER CANNONS, CONFEDERATE UNIFORMS, AND PARADES
(b) Old South. Chapters shall not sponsor functions with the name Old South or functions with any similar name. All functions and activities must be conducted with restraint and dignity and without trappings and symbols that might be misinterpreted and objectionable to the general public. All functions and activities shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations and policies of the institution where each chapter is located. Adopted November 4, 1984 and amended November 14, 2015 (to take effect on January 18, 2016).

App. 210. Other devices of the Order
c) Upon the Knight Commander’s declaration of an official period of mourning, the flag of the Order shall be flown at half-staff during the period. Adopted July 29, 2015 amended November 14, 2015.

xc: KAOEF Trustees
staff

“All functions and activities must be conducted with restraint and dignity and without trappings and symbols that might be misinterpreted and objectionable to the general public.”

Literally KA just said that their national policy is “don’t do anything that could possibly be deemed offensive by anyone.” Not a bad strategy. Not a very fun one, but not a bad one.

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Veronica Ruckh

Veronica (@VeronicaRuckh) is the Director of Total Sorority Move for Grandex, Inc. After having spent her undergraduate years drinking $4 double LITs on a patio and drunk texting away potential suitors, she managed to graduate with an impressive GPA and an unimpressive engagement ring -- so unimpressive, in fact, some might say it's not there at all. Veronica has since been fulfilling her duties as "America's big," a title she gave to herself with the help of her giant ego. She has recently switched from vodka to wine on weekdays. Email her at [email protected]

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