SLAG
The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity is a Greek letter, secret, college, social fraternity. It is comprised of men who share similar ideals of friendship, truth, honor, and loyalty. The Fraternity's ideals are expressed in SLAG. We are scholars, leaders, athletes, and gentlemen. These four attributes are common to all brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha. We find ourselves united by our bonds of brotherhood. Indeed, it is these bonds that create the very fabric that upon which the face of fraternity is painted. Pi Kappa Alpha was founded in 1868 at the University of Virginia. Six men, on a Sunday evening, created what is now one of the largest fraternities in the United States. This tradition has been carried on for more than 130 years, and it will be carried on for years to come with one of the newest chapters of Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Upsilon, at American Univeristy.
Scholars
The environment on college campuses today is more competitive than ever. Anyone subscribing to the myth that grades are not important is fooling no one but himself. Poor work in the classroom will result in closed doors and lost opportunities. Attention to scholarship is important to an individual's future. Scholarship is central to the Fraternity's purpose and goes a long way in determining its reputation and standing.
At Kappa Upsilon, we are committed to excellence in academics. It is our goal to encourage good study habits and reward not only exceptional academic performance, but also exceptional improvement. Our chapter is one of the most diverse on campus. One of the great consequences of this great diversity is that we have members from a wide range of majors and backgrounds. Any member that is struggling in a class only has to ask for help and there are at least one or two other members that will step up and help them out. It is part of the brotherly spirit that our chapter promotes.
Leaders
Developing your leadership skills is an important aspect of the Pi Kappa Alpha experience. Getting involved in your college allows you to make friends with classmates and instructors. At American University, the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha can be seen in many leadership positions both on and off campus ranging from members of the Student Confederation to interns on Capitol Hill.
Athletes
Kappa Upsilon's athletic program revolves around intramurals but also includes inter-Pike sporting events, special sporting events and tournaments, and physical fitness. Pike fields at least one team in every major intramural sport here at American University. Fraternity intramurals are usually very competitive. Being competitive and winning frequently gives the chapter a sense of pride while building teamwork. These are two essentials in developing brotherhood for both the player and the spectator.
Gentlemen
Only one man in the world can turn his back on good manners. He is the man who will never need another's influence, never need a customer, a client, never be lonely, never need understanding, never fall in love, never want to share a precious moment or experience with another, never want a son of his own or a home.
The conduct of fraternity men marks, in great measure, the weakness or strength of the college fraternity system. An unfavorable opinion by outsiders if often formed as a result of thoughtless action both inside and outside the group. If you are to impress the true fraternal ideals upon those who observe you, you must take stoke of yourself; you must live up to the ideals which are sometimes considered lightly by some thoughtless members not mindful of the trust reposed in them.
Proper conduct is part of the foundation of all success in fraternity and chapter organization. In its absence, the benefits of a fraternity are only partly realized. Harmony is lost and factional division (the archenemy of fraternalism) can gain a foothold. Therefore, it is your duty, as an individual college man, to care for your reputation and the reputation of Pi Kappa Alpha.
