Section III Responsibility of a Lifetime Click Once

The Tomahawk of Alpha Sigma Phi is the oldest fraternity magazine in existence today. When Alpha Sigma Phi announced its formation, Kappa Sigma Theta, the rival sophomore society reacted immediately. Kappa Sigma Theta had been publishing a paper called The Yale Banger and used the publication to attack and ridicule Alpha Sigma Phi. So on November 1, 1847, a special meeting of Alpha Sigma Phi was called: The President stated the object of the meeting, which was to inform the Society that arrangements were being made for the publication of a paper to be called the “Yale Tomahawk” and to request the permission of the Society to have it go with their badge upon it, and under their sanction and approval. After having stated the character of the paper and informed the Society of the nature of its contents, remarks were made in relation to it, by several members of the society, after which a motion was passed that the Society accept the paper and permit it to go forth as theirs.

There were some second thoughts; so, another special meeting was called on November 3: …to inform the Society that a manifest disaffection toward the “Yale Tomahawk” has shown itself among several members of the Society on account of the early hour and manner of its publication and at some of its contents. Every member spoke and some at least a half dozen times. Indeed so great a desire to speak was hardly ever manifested in the Society. At last, a final motion was called for, which was, that the Society, as a Society, disown the paper. This motion did not then pass. And there was then moved that the Society continue to accept the paper, which was passed with some slight opposition. After several ineffective attempts were made to adjourn, the Society at last succeeded.

The first Tomahawk was a four-page sheet, about 12 by 18 inches and sold on the campus for six cents per copy. Here’s how the first issue introduced itself: Be not offended fellow students, that once again your attention, your interest and your support is called to another college sheet. Though we come a stranger, our cognomen unfamiliar, and perhaps uncourtly; though at our stealthy approach you shudder, conjuring up strange phantasms of havoc and merciless destruction and were want to follow the flight of the tomahawk, in those days when the wild savage roamed in our primeval woods, and with his unerring weapon hurled pain and death upon his white foe; though indeed you find everything repugnant in our name, and our nature, and our unexpected and (perhaps to you) apparently uncalled appearance; yet be assured we have just claims upon your ears, yes, though we come with a tomahawk in our hands!”

What that very long sentence meant was “war.” Fraternity life at Yale in those days stood not only for loyalty to one’s own society, but for bitter opposition towards every other organization. Kappa Sigma Theta had not been sparing of its abuse of Alpha Sigma Phi in The Banger so The Tomahawk retaliated with a vengeance. The Tomahawk has continued to change in appearance and purpose, reflecting the changing nature and needs of the members of Alpha Sigma Phi. For many years, the magazine reported merely on the activities of chapters and members. Today’s Tomahawk seeks to do more than just list new chapter officers and routine chapter news. It reports more in-depth on chapter programs and projects. It reports on the achievements of our members worldwide. And it reports on Alpha Sigma Phi’s changing policies and priorities. It seeks to challenge and stimulate new thinking... to share new approaches to fraternal living and achieving a better Brotherhood.

The Tomahawk is funded through the Fraternity by pledge and initiation fees, undergraduate chapter dues, and yearly alumni Brother contributions. The Old Gal Gazette and Brotherhood Bulletin The Old Gal Gazette, now, the Brotherhood Bulletin, is a unique publication that is published frequently throughout the academic year and is distributed in bulk to each chapter. This special newsletter keeps members informed of developments in Alpha Sigma Phi, on campus issues that concern our chapters, and shares new ideas about chapter operations. The Brotherhood Bulletin should be made available for all members to read. One copy of each issue should be kept in a notebook for future reference. (If you have ideas on how the Bulletin can be more useful to you and your chapter, share them with Fraternity Headquarters.)

To Better the Man is Alpha Sigma Phi’s manual for members. It is the basic instructional and reference publication of the Fraternity. Your thoughts and suggestions for improving the manual are welcomed and will be given consideration during the regular revision of the manual. Ritual First written in 1846 and published today with only minor revisions made over the years. The Initiation Rituals are esoteric, that is, secret. They are available in whole or in part only to initiated members. No copies may be made of the Ritual. The Ritual books are used primarily as a guide for the oral presentation of our secrets. But every member should, after initiation, take the time to read completely and in detail all aspects of the Fraternity’s traditions and ceremonies. A few hours spent in study of the Ritual will give great insight into and a more complete understanding of our great Fraternity.

Other Publications Available From Fraternity Headquarters A wide variety of other publications are also available from Alpha Sigma Phi’s national headquarters for undergraduate chapter use, alumni council use and by alumni volunteers. These include: Officer manuals NIC resources Chapter newsletters Video archives New member education materials Flyers, postcards and posters And manuals on: Member recruitment Alumni relations Chapter advising Risk and crisis management Click Once