Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

History Snippets

Snippet #2 - "The Blank Chapter", excerpt taken from the September 1923 issue of The Baton.

Steve Nelson:  "The following story is one of my favorites.  It spans several years and gives a glimpse into what the early days of the Fraternity were like.

    It's important to keep a couple of things in mind when reading this. First, in 1923 there were only eight chapters.  Anything approximating a national organization didn't exist yet.  The Fraternity had a national editor who worked out of his home for a very small stipend and really had no other function but to edit the national publications.  The Grand President and Secretary pretty much handled the major affairs.  Soon after this, though, under the Grand Presidency of J. Lee Burke, Scott Squyres was hired as an executive secretary, but I'll save THAT story for a later time.

    It's also important to keep in mind how chapters were added.  The process was pretty much the same as we have today, but the Petitioning Document served a much more important purpose than it does now.  Today, the only person who really reviews a petitioning document is the Executive Director.  After it is approved, it is locked away in the archives and is pretty much a curiosity.  In the early days, though, before there were district conventions, or TV, or even national radio broadcasts of sports events, bands from different parts of the country were pretty much unfamiliar with each other.  The petitioning document was the primary way of introducing a colony to the national organization.  The petitioning document was mailed in turn to EACH CHAPTER in the Fraternity.  Each chapter was required to review the document and vote on whether that colony should be admitted.  Any one chapter could black ball a colony and in one instance, (the chapter to remain anonymous) they were not admitted three times before passing the vote.  Once approved and installed, the petitioning document was used as the basis of a major story in The Baton, introducing the new chapter to all members and alumni.  It's a shame that we don't still do that.  So many times I've wished to know more about the new chapters that we've installed, what their school is like, what kind of band do they have, etc....  It's not until you actually get to talk with someone from that school do you really learn anything.

    Sorry this is so long but it sets up an interesting story.....

    In 1923, the Fraternity installed a chapter in Mississippi in violation of the laws of that state.  All fraternities had been outlawed more than 10 years earlier by what was called the "Lee Russell's Law."  Here's an excerpt explaining why:

    "Governor Russell started the fight on this bill because of his experiences during his college days at the University of Mississippi, and he was able to convince the Legislature at that time that the Greek letter societies drew a social line of demarcation between the students at the college.  He proclaimed that the sons of the poor men who went to the University and were not able to dress as well as the more prosperous students, were barred from social functions, shut off to themselves, and ridiculed and called 'goats'. He declared that this made an intolerable condition and was an unjust
discrimination against poor men."

    Because of this law, Kappa Kappa Psi could not legally exist in Mississippi.  Today, the fear of a lawsuit would probably inhibit the National Organization from granting a charter.  In 1923, as the Fraternity was still pretty much finding its way, it was allowed by a unanimous vote of the other chapters existing then.

    The interesting part of this is that in all publications this chapter is never referred to by name, school, state, or by name of any member.  The chapter was called the BLANK CHAPTER and not officially assigned a greek letter name.  This continued for almost three years, until the "Lee Russell's Law" was repealed and fraternities were allowed.  The chapter reports that were printed in The Baton were edited such that any references that might identify the school or chapter were "blanked out".  This only worked because every other chapter had seen the petitioning document and KNEW WHO THIS CHAPTER WAS!! Here's the text of their first report in the 1923 edition of The Baton:"
 

THE MEMBERS OF OUR --------- CHAPTER HAVE THE REAL KAPPA KAPPA PSI SPIRIT

    (Watch out Active Chapters, or our Southern brothers will be setting the pace for us.)

    We are very highly elated over the prospects of our future with the Kappa Kappa Psi.  We know that our connection with such a dynamic organization of energetic men cannot be otherwise than remunerative.

    We were indelibly impressed with the beauty of the ritual and the strength of purose of the fraternity, as propounded to us by the Grand President. Each of us were greatly pleased to meet a man of such a pleasant and forceful personality as that possessed by Brother Squyres.

    Of course, we reget very much that circumstances force us to be known as a blank chapter for the time being -- but we are hoping that it won't be for long.

    The Kappa Kappa Psi has our sincere co-operation and support.  Yours for better music, better men, and a greater Honorary Musical Fraternity for College Bands.

THE BLANK CHAPTER

Steve Nelson:  "The following lengthy story is the article that appeared introducing the chapter after its installation."

A LITTLE BLANK STORY

    On his installation tour last April our National President, Brother Scott Squyres, installed a chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in one of the greatest institutions of the Southwest.  Conditions existing at the present time forbid a detailed writeup of this new chapter, but the brothers over the continent pronounced the petition from this State Institution as one of the best possible under the conditions it had to be compiled under. 

[....]

    The men of this chapter live in seven different states in the Union and as usual are the cream of the student body in their Institution. 

[....]

    So we are very proud to admit such men into our circles even though their identity as an organization cannot be known to the fraternty world for some time yet.

[...]

    The Grand Chapter asks the various members to be careful in speaking of this group, especially to outsiders as present conditions demand it.

    All expenses of the members of this band are paid by the Institution.  It is due largely to this fact that this organization is recognized as one of the best concert bands in the Southland.  With this inducement it has been possible for the University to secure musicians of ability who desire an education.  As a result, the band has not only been a factor in the student activities of the Institution but has been in demand for various events throughout the country.

    In the recent Armistice celebration held in Memphis, Tenn., the band was selected by competent judges as the best musical organization out of the twelve participating in the pageant.  The band gave a concert in the Orpheum and the Commercial Appeal, in referring to it said:  "The program rendered by the -------- Band was a musical treat, and gave Memphis evidence as to why it was the best band in the South."

    The student body was largely responsible for the organization of the band institution.  Previous to this time a bugle corps and an untrained Glee Clube were the only form of musical expression evidenced.  Realizing the need for greater musical development, the student body, by unanimous vote, expressed their desire for a band and in February arrangements were made to secure five musicians from -------- by offering them all expenses.  The rest of the spring session was devoted largely to securing promising talent from the student body and organizing the band for the coming war.  During this early stage of the history of the band -------- from Washington ------- served as director.

    The band made its first appearance at the opening exercises of the 19__-19__ session.  Members of the present faculty who witnessed this initial performance state that the program rendered created quite a bit of favorable comment.  Eighteen men composed the first band which was directed by ------.  When this director resigned five years later the band was no longer in the experimental state.  It was as good as the average college band, and was developing rapidly.
 

Steve Nelson:  "The only thing I haven't told you so far is which chapter this is.  If you've looked into your Guide to Membership Education Manual, you'll see that this was the Epsilon Chapter at Mississippi State University.  Let's all hope that their current colony trying to reactivate this chapter has an easier time of it!!!!"