1. Section II Responsibility to Others Click Once

2. We are living in a diverse and complex world – and our college campuses reflect that. It is increasingly important for members of Alpha Sigma Phi to acknowledge, understand, and appreciate the vast differences in cultural heritage, values, beliefs, and life-styles of the racial and ethic groups that make up our society and more importantly, our institutions of Higher Education. Over the past several years, the make-up of the student population has changed and will continue to change as students needs and characteristics develop as compared to their counterparts of the past. The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) are the governing bodies for college fraternities and sororities. Each has a separate constitution and recruitment procedures. The NIC is the representative governing body of the 67 social fraternities that exist throughout the United States and Canada. The NPHC is the representative body for nine traditionally African-American organizations, five men’s groups and four women’s groups. The NPC is the representative body that represents 26 sororities that exist throughout the United States and Canada. A growing number of Hispanic and Asian Greek organizations are forming on college campuses, a sign that the Greek experience is continuing to be seen as a true complement to the college experience.

3. Alpha Sigma Phi has continued to take the lead in the area of diversity within the fraternity world. During the 1950 National Convention, Alpha Sigma Phi passed a resolution banning chapter from discriminating in membership selection based on race. At that time, no other national fraternity had done so. Members of Alpha Sigma Phi should challenge themselves to learn about their biases and differences and find ways to address them. This exploration will not come in the classroom alone. Being open to the diversity around you with all its uniqueness of race, religion, ethnicity, educational level, ability, sexual orientation, and gender, will provide the true classroom of life. Only by fully valuing and respecting differences can the full potential of a brotherhood be achieved. It is the ability to build on strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization. Mahatma Gandhi Click Once

4. While it is often said that differences among people and cultures are the source of life’s richness and excitement, the reality is that differences create discomfort and conflict. Valuing diversity is a way of helping people deal with issues created by their differences. Valuing diversity helps people think through their assumption and beliefs about differences – individual, cultural, geographical and organizational. The key task is learning how to perceive people as unique individuals, while acknowledging their differences as members of particular groups. The result is the ability to see others as equal though not the same. During recruitment, members should be aware of and sensitive to the differences of potential new members. Recognizing and appreciating the differences of your membership will only strengthen your Brotherhood and chapter.