Fellow concerned person(s):

Dr. Daniel Schmidt, director of bands at Northern Arizona University, has made the decision to revoke the charter of the Alpha Chi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma (the announcement follows below).

This is concerning because:

1. It eliminates an organization with the goal of promoting women (and other underrepresented groups) in the band field.

2. It unnecessarily disintegrates an integral part of the Northern Arizona University band program that has endured for 62 years.

Dr. Schmidt’s words are as relevant as they were at the founding of the Sorority. The action shows the need for Tau Beta Sigma in our band programs, and more generally, it shows the need for diversity awareness in American society at large.

--------

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, Due to the struggles inherent in both chapters of NAU's band service organizations (Gamma Kappa and Alpha Chi) over the past several years, it has become clear that NAU can no longer sustain two successful chapters. As a result, I have notified Stillwater through Mr. Steve Nelson that we are consolidating our chapters into one, which will be the Gamma Kappa chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. We look forward to the proliferation of one strong chapter that maintains a healthy budget, keeps a slate of officers throughout an entire year, cooperates with the national office in a timely and efficient manner, and builds a viable number of active members that can successfully uphold the ideals of the National Constitution as well as the bylaws of our local chapter. I have notified the respective chapters' presidents of this consolidation, and have explained to them that this process and decision has been researched and discussed with National for several years. We will be in alignment with our sister institutions (ASU, UA) that have one chapter and many more resources than we do. We will also become the strongest chapter in the west, and will begin this process by eliminating failures. The presidents and I discussed some details regarding how we will move forward, and while I do not intend to outline the entire process here, I would like to answer a few questions below: From National's perspective: -according to the National Constitution, all members of AX will remain sisters of TBS, and have the option to become Associate Members of KKY (Gamma Kappa)--each member just needs to state such and then remain a member in good standing. No 'process' is necessary. No new degree ceremony/ritual is necessary, primarily because Stillwater believes that the rituals between the two organizations uphold very similar beliefs and standards. Having been through both myself, I agree with them. Lastly, I encourage all members of AX to do such -when the chapter does the next personnel report, the members of AX are indicated as Associate Members of GK. -Associate Members are members with full privilege as long they remain in good standing. They are voting members, can run for office, have access to and can participate in rituals, etc. -current members of Gamma Kappa do not have access to the degrees/ritual materials of TBS/AX. -there is no change to the status of any AX alumni From the local perspective: -our new ADOB, Professor Howard, has agreed to serve as the GK Chapter Sponsor. She has recently served in this role for award-winning 2014-16 TBS-Omega chapter. Of course, I will stay in my role as the chapter's executive overseer as the Director of Bands. -the most current presidents of the respective chapters have agreed to serve as co-presidents for our new chapter until elections take place. They will discuss ways to consolidate the current slate of officers for each chapter into a viable, working body, and nothing will be enacted without consultation with Prof. Howard and myself. Thus, GK's elections will be postponed until the fall (date TBD). The fall elections will be open to all active members and active associate members (AX members who choose to be GK associate members). The primary goal for all current officers and members is to ensure the successful launch of the 2016 Lumberjack Marching Band. Once this takes place successfully, the date for elections will be set. -there will be a new committee formed in GK that will contribute to the emphasis of women in music. Personally, my greatest concern about this consolidation is the potential loss of this emphasis, a rich tradition that AX has successfully supported over the years, as has TBS nationally. As Chapter Sponsor of TBS-Omega at UA, Prof. Howard respected this tradition and wishes for this to continue at NAU as well. I state to all of you in uncertain terms that the decision to consolidate into GK is no reflection upon AX. We all know that both chapters have experienced successes and failures, as does National (and has reminded me of such as recently as January) and share in any culpability for this decision. I have great respect for AX, as I do the memory of its very first chapter sponsor, my dear friend Helen Wolf. Lastly, a few personal remarks... During this difficult decision-making process, I took time to reflect upon the experiences--good and bad (mostly good )--that I have had with KKY/TBS at conventions, workshops, and the chapters at various institutions across the country that I have attended and worked. While there remain certain variables within procedure, I continued to witness a common denominator. As a result, I made a point to take counsel with some ex-students and colleagues who are brothers and sisters during the Christmas Break regarding this (for example, SSgt. Bob Thurston and Larry Clark were KKY brothers at FSU, where we were all undergrads together). I thought about hundreds of brothers and sisters that I know personally, and the thousands that are such nationally that I do not know. I took time to re-read the rituals of both organizations. There is no greater event that happens during one's fraternity life than experiencing our rituals and the reinforcement of the values set forth by them. All of this allowed me to cull the essence of that common denominator mentioned above, and this is the beauty that brothers and sisters radiate when in the state of grace that only comes from the true spirit of Fraternity. I would encourage you to do the same; read your rituals at your leisure, and then take some quiet time to reflect upon them. I hope you find, as I did, that the personal relationship that you have with these values is what instills you to be a good brother/sister to others. Long live this spirit!

Fraternally, DS