NIC Press Release
Release Regarding the Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.
Indianapolis, IN.: The North-American Interfraternity Conference wishes to thank all those who participated in our recent Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. As was indicated in Linda Wardhammar's (AFA President) letter of December 6, 2001 to the Members of the Association of Fraternity Advisors, NIC President William D. Jenkins was handed a copy of a statement from the NPHC Council of Presidents at the beginning of the Closing Banquet, which indicated that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. would lead a "walk out" of all members of Black Greek-lettered organizations.
The NIC takes very seriously our relationships with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and every member of our organization. We are saddened that this valuable member feels that the NIC has not taken a proactive stance in stating our opposition to the acts committed by certain fraternity members at Auburn University.
We are making arrangements to meet with Kappa Alpha Psi, the National Pan Hellenic Council Leadership, the Council of Presidents, and the North-American Interfraternity Conference House of Delegates/Board of Directors to bring an agreed upon resolution to this matter.
We wish to make clear that we will not tolerate acts which demean others. That is why we released our November 9 statement indicating our disappointment in these actions and our commitment to ensuring that diversity and diversity education remains a priority in our educational programming. A copy of that release is attached.
At our Annual Meeting in Washington, the NIC did distribute the original Statement from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Friday's Joint Program with the National Panhellenic Conference and again that "the NIC holds high our commitment to assisting each of our fraternities as we work with our undergraduate chapters and hold our members accountable to the values and expectations of each of our fraternal organizations."
President Jenkins has called upon NALFO, NIC, NPHC, and NPC in Washington DC this coming May at the Congressional Program and Reception to deal with the matters at hand. "This will be one of our top priorities," Jenkins said.
Finally, President Jenkins said in his opening remarks to the 2001 House of Delegates that the theme of the Annual Meeting "Building Partnerships" was no accident, and he reaffirmed our commitment to working with all our Interfraternal brothers and sisters to advance the ideals of fraternity.