The Agricultural and Technical College register [January 1927]

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The Agricultural and Technical College
REGISTER
GREENSBORO, N. C, JANUARY, 1927
COLLEGE  HOST   TO  PHI  BETA  SIGMA
NATIONAL FRATERNITY
DEANS AND REGISTRARS  OF  COLORED  SCHOOLS
PLAN PROGRAM
Two Local Chapters Entertain—National Body Decides to
Send Commission to Haiti
Among the happenings on the campus worthy of note
during the Christmas vacation was the Thirteenth Conclave
of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. For a considerable length
of time the two local chapters, Eta and Gamma-Sigma, had
been planning for the entertaining of the conclave. All
arrangements were in top-notch state; all hearts and nerves
were attuned to the slogan,'' The greatest conclave in history."
On the day directly following Christmas day, the delegates
began to register from all parts of the country, bringing to
A. and T. College at the close of the registration period a
large delegation of college and professional men. The opening services took place at St. Matthews Church under the
direction of the committee appointed. The next session was
one of welcome. The mayor and prominent citizens of
Greensboro, together with the college representative, extended
a cordial welcome to the members of the Conclave. Fitting
responses were made by officials of the fraternity. Attorney
A. W. Mitchell, of Washington, D. C, general president of
the fraternity, took charge of all business sessions. His skill
in deliberating and his adequate knowledge of parliamentary
rules won for him unanimous admiration and respect.
That the body as a whole accomplished more than mere
resolution making is evidenced in the fact that before the
conclave came to a close a unanimous vote had been taken and
large contributions had been made through subscriptions
toward sending a commission to Haiti to investigate problems,
both political and social. This action, so far as history goes,
is unprecedented, and it speaks for itself.
As might be expected the social side of the conclave was not
neglected. Apart from the formal ball which was largely
attended, the Tau-Omega chapter of the Omega fraternity
entertained the whole convention at an informal dance. This
was another indication of the brotherly spirit existing among
the fraternities of Greek letters on the campus of A. and T.
After four days of strenuous work, including business,
fun, and fine addresses by nationally known men like Dr.
Blaine Locke and others, the conclave adjourned to meet a
year hence at St. Louis, Missouri, with the record of being
the best in the history of the fraternity.
Executive Committee Meeting In Atlanta Lays Out "Work
The meeting of the Executive Committee of the National
Association of Deans and Registrars in Negro Schools held
recently at Spelman College was of wide significance and far
reaching importance to Negro education. The purpose of the
gathering was to make out a program for the annual meeting
of the association which is to assemble at Tuskegee, March,
1927. Those attending the meeting were Dean T. E.
McKinney, of A. and T. College, Greensboro, N. C, who
is president of the Association; Dean B. W. Doyle, of Paine
College, Augusta, Ga., vice-president; Dean E. E. Lamson,
of Spelman College; Dean R. 0. Lanier, of Florida A. and
M. College, Tallahassee, Fla., secretary; and Assistant Dean
Ambrose Caliver, of Fisk University, who is chairman of the
publicity committee. The other members of the Executive
Committee were unable to attend.
That this Association proposes to do some very constructive work is evidenced by the seriousness with which its members have undertaken their various duties. The main purposes of the Association are to promote the professional
advancement of its members; to aid in the development of
the schools represented; and to disseminate information of
common interest to all concerned. The objectives are to be
attained by means of investigations and research, and the
problems of Negro education, as they are affected by this
particular group, are to be approached on the basis of fact
and severest scientific scrutiny.
The program as outlined by the committee will have to do
especially with "the Freshman," and the main topics under
this general heading will be admissions, procedure, matriculation and orientation of freshmen; and scholarship standards.
It is the plan to have each of these topics presented by a main
speaker, who will discuss the subject after thorough investigation from the standpoint of science based on facts and
actual needs rather than on opinion. The various logical
divisions of each of these topics will then be briefly discussed
by certain members, after which there will be general discussion of the problems with a view of making practical application to the particular needs of those participating.
Under admissions procedure such problems as the following will be discussed: Getting students to make applications
early; necessity of high school principals returning transcript
of students' credits promptly; and the need of better systems