History of Sigma Tau Rho
This page chronicles a fraternity chapter that
existed as a local during that time in New York State when
all
national fraternities and sororities were banned in state colleges
and universities. Many, if not all,
chapters of Sigma
Tau before the ban were connected with a national
fraternity such as Sigma Tau Gamma. This page mostly will be
of
interest to the men who
held membership in this group, and perhaps the sons of the
sons
of a Sig Tau who have died. But it is a public site accessible by
anyone.
Here's what happened. In
1953, Dr. William S. Carlson (a fraternity member who resigned his
membership) persuaded SUNY trustees that all fraternities and
sororities should drop their national affiliations. The SUNY system
ordered Greeks to go on a "local" basis because he said he was
"disturbed by the irresponsible actions of many of the fraternity
national officers" (talk about tarring everyone with same brush!) with
regards to racial and religious discrimination. He argued that the ban
was consistent with a state law prohibiting discrimination in
employment or college admissions. The National Interfraternity
Conference sued, but the suit was dismissed in both a U.S. district
court and in a Supreme Court appeal. Carlson told Saturday Review
magazine that "the fraternities' power is vast--for good or evil."
After the ban, the Sig Tau Gamma national and the local SUNY chapters
known as Sigma Tau had no formal
connection.
Members continued to enjoy & observe certain
traditions
such as a White Rose dance,
and to value
those traditions, but all this was without
the
approval or sanction of the national.
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