Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Illinois

THE LION TATTLER I L L I N O I S B E T A C H A P T E R O F S I G M A A L P H A E P S I L O N • T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F I L L I N O I S SPRING 2025 D oes the fraternity have any responsibility in the development of leadership? I believe the answer is "yes." Why? My reply is that the individual membership in a fraternity is on the basis of selection. It is not a happenstance because of assignment to a room in a dormitory or impersonal choice of a room in a lodging house. The individual is invited to membership in a fraternity because of some quality or aptitude or combination of these which causes him to stand out as usual or possessing latent qualities which may develop under the influence of the institution or the fraternity which is a part of the institution. College fraternities can only be justified if they are a definite part of the educational system. They provide for a phase of education outside the classroom but closely related to academic success and achievement. You may disagree with the Hutchins theory of classical education; you may feel that the Cowley theory of "education of the whole man" goes too far; but you cannot very well disagree with Dr. Whitehead's statement, "There is only one subject matter for education, and that is life in all of its manifestations." The classroom provides for the study of the specific subject matter of the required or elected course; the fraternity provides the opportunity to study "life in all of its manifestations." Next, I would ask: Does the fraternity provide the vehicle for the development of leadership? Since most institutions require grades of achievement for pledging and initiation into fraternities and satisfactory group progress for continued recognition, we may assume that the fraternity is a logical vehicle for the promotion of academic success. Likewise, we may properly assume that the fraternity is a proper vehicle for the promotion of good conduct and the development of high ideals. No fraternity man who lives up to his oath of membership can overlook these important details in his education. In the classroom, leadership in academic matters may be achieved. In one's personal life, perfection of conduct may be attained. Neither, however, will affect any but the individual involved unless there is an opportunity for the success of the individual to be passed on to others through leadership of others; it is here that the fraternity presents itself as a vehicle for the development of leadership. That is the nature of the opportunity for the development of leadership in fraternity life? First of all, the fraternity group is the correct size for progress in leadership at the undergraduate level. All development must begin in a basic unit, and the fraternity group is recognized by all housing officials as a correctly proportioned unit for administrative purposes. Then, with membership comes the opportunity to observe and participate in the growing responsibilities of leadership. In the freshman and sophomore years, the process is more one of observation than participation; yet there are numerous opportunities for minor phases of training in the first two years. Not the least of these is the learning of group and self-discipline, which is essential within the fraternity group. Also, there are numerous opportunities for minor chairmanships, duties, committee memberships, and recognition for campus success, which the well-organized fraternity will note with satisfaction and honor its underclassmen accordingly. In the junior and senior years of fraternity life come the real opportunities for participation and training in leadership. The house officers must carry heavy responsibilities of management of men. Correct meeting procedures, recognition and interpretation of college regulations and fraternity laws, the handling of house finances, selection of members, management of the special house functions, maintenance of house discipline, in fact, all of the educational, social, and recreational programs of the house become the special responsibilities of the house officers. This may extend further into the encouragement of members to participate in campus educational, social, and recreational activities, where even wider training in leadership may be available. This is learning to live with one's fellow beings—this is education, with the subject matter not just that of the classroom, but also "life in all of its manifestations." Furthermore, fraternity membership is not a matter of membership for four years of college. It is membership for life. The present-day fraternity provides through its own activities an opportunity for leadership in the alumni and graduate days, as demonstrated by fraternity leaders attending this meeting. If the individual does not choose to utilize his leadership aptitudes learned in his fraternity in the management of the alumni activities of his organization, these same aptitudes may be transferred to his later life in his church, society, club, community, activities, or even into his office and vocation. Does the fraternity have a responsibility for the development of leadership? I would answer emphatically, "yes." Is the fraternity accepting the responsibility for the development of leadership? I would say that it is in the most sincere and effective manner in its history. The Fraternity's Place in the The Fraternity's Place in the Development of Leadership Development of Leadership An Address by Fred H. Turner 1922, Dean of Students, University of Illinois, at the Annual Meeting of the National Interfraternity Conference

• Cover