Becoming a Kappa: Understanding Membership Requirements for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is a historically Black Greek letter fraternity founded in 1911. Membership is a lifelong dedication to the ideas and lofty purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi. It is a solemn commitment, where the individual becomes synonymous with the commitment itself. The Fraternity places emphasis on the quality and integrity of its membership, not simply the accumulation of members and chapters. This article explores the requirements for joining Kappa Alpha Psi, highlighting the values and expectations associated with membership.

Core Values and Expectations

Kappa Alpha Psi seeks professional men who want to be a part of an organization that gives back to the community. The Fraternity considers for membership only those aspirants whose personal, social, and academic qualifications are acceptable to both the College and Fraternity. No person shall be considered for membership, whose known conduct deviates unfavorably from prevailing standards of morality.

Maturity

Maturity is a key attribute sought in prospective members. It is more than simply reaching a certain age. Maturity encompasses:

Acceptance of reality
The ability to sacrifice and set goals
Consideration of others
Incisive judgment
Emotional balance
Development of social skills
Intellectual competence
Moral rectitude

Dedication

Dedication means putting those characteristics of maturity into a lifelong program of action to advance the goals and purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi. Members are expected to be dedicated to the Fraternity's ideals. Personal goals should not supersede those of the Fraternity. A person who feels he would do the Fraternity a favor by joining is not worthy of membership.

The Membership Orientation & Intake Program (MOIP)

Pledging has been replaced by the Membership Orientation & Intake Program (MOIP). The Membership Orientation & Intake Program (MOIP) is the procedure the Fraternity uses to admit men into the Fraternity. It combines attributes of the past membership process [that was intended to - teach aspiring members about the Fraternity, bond them with members affiliated with a local chapter and, test them on their knowledge] with a probation period wherein aspiring members demonstrated their understanding of these teachings and the value of bonding. Kappa Alpha Psi has a very comprehensive anti-hazing policy and penalties for violating the policy.

Read also: Kappa Sigma Fraternity

Academic Requirements

For undergraduate membership, aspirants must be men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity and are in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent. They must also be in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent and have credit hours needed for graduation. A grade point average not less than 2.3/4.0 is generally required.

For Alumni chapter affiliation, an earned Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent is required.

Financial Obligations

Grand Chapter dues are payable as of October 1 (the first day of the fiscal year). Grand Chapter dues are $100.00 per year for undergraduate brothers and $200.00 per year for alumni brothers. All brothers MUST PAY GRAND CHAPTER DUES (with the housing assessment current), except new initiates who have financial cards that expire after September 30th (the last day of the fiscal year noted). Grand Chapter dues are not prorated, and dues paid during the fiscal year are applied to that particular year, and will not be applied to the next year due to benefits and services received during the year. Untimely dues submission to the International Headquarters will result in a delay of receiving the Kappa Alpha Psi® Journal (four times a year), and the Confidential Bulletin (twice a year). Grand Chapter Housing Assessment onetime fee for those initiated before 1990 is $100.00. Life Members are exempt from annual dues payment requirements. However, the housing assessments fee must be paid in order for a Life Member to be considered in “Good Standing”. Subscribing Life Members are exempt from annual dues payment requirements, due to the life membership obligation. Please be sure to fulfill your dues obligation to your local chapter and province directly through the appropriate channel.

Anti-Hazing Policy

The St. Petersburg (FL) Alumni Chapter does not support, encourage or condone hazing.

Anti-Hazing Laws (Florida): Title XLVIII Chapter 1006 a first degree misdemeanor if hazing results in bodily injury. An organization may be fined if it condones or encourages hazing. Medical personnel receive immunity from liability for reporting an incident of hazing if the report is made in good faith.

Reclamation

If you have been financially inactive, come back to Kappa as a GROCK member.

The Selection Process

A person who feels he would do the Fraternity a favor by joining is not worthy of membership. Kappa Alpha Psi is not interested in the simple accumulation of members and chapters. Its emphasis, however, is in the quality and integrity of its membership.

More than Membership

Membership in Kappa Alpha Psi is more than just joining an organization. It is a commitment to:

Men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity.
Encouraging honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor.
Inspiring service in the public interest.

Read also: Famous Members of Phi Kappa Psi

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