A Momentary Hiatus

Brothers,

If you have not heard the news by now, our Alpha chapter will be on a four-year hiatus from Loyola University of Chicago. Please note, however, that this does not mean the end of Alpha for ADG. Rather, this is a time for the chapter to rebuild, reform, and restructure itself, so that in four years' time (maybe less), we will be back stronger and truer to the ideals of Alpha Delta Gamma.

Let us all also take note, and realize that we cannot continue in the ways that many associate fraternities with. Whenever I hear about certain events or rituals, the phrase, "it's just tradition," always seems to crop up. Question: when you say that it's tradition, do you mean we actually did these things in 1924?

THAT... is tradition. The 5 S's... is tradition. Serving our local communities, while fostering the highest of ideals within our members... is tradition. Please keep that in mind the next time you are concerned about an activity you are about to undertake. And don't think that it can't happen at your chapter, because, quite obviously, it can.

I do not mean to brow beat the members of the chapter, they have suffered enough. Clearly, the situation was brought on by a drifting away from the basic tenets and principles of our fraternity. The fault, however, is all of ours. We either turned a blind eye to the problem, let it exist out of some strange sentimentality, or simply chose to focus our attentions elsewhere. It cannot be such in the future, though; we all need to look out for one another.

I have faith and hope that we will be back stronger than ever before. I see a future where alcohol is strictly a sidenote to the word 'fraternity,' at least as far as ADG is concerned. I see a time when hazing is a four-letter word, and not something that we need to worry about. There are traditions, of course, but Animal-House-style activities is not tradition. If you are looking towards the past in order to propel into the future, I suggest looking back to 1924 for inspiration. Today's college students want more than a four-year drinking club; they want ADG. Let's give it to them.

Ad Dei Gloriam, brothers.