A colony made up of students from Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts was chartered as the Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Delta at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the National Council on February 27, 2020. Epsilon Omicron, our 108th Chapter, is first active Chapter in Massachusetts since our Delta Sigma Chapter (Tufts - Delta Sigma) closed in 2005. Epsilon Omicron was designated to be a chapter in our Connecticut District, along with Gamma Xi and Epsilon Lambda. Additionally, on the same day, a colony made up of students from State University of New York at Cortland was chartered as our Epsilon Pi Chapter. Our 109th Chapter, Epsilon Pi was designated as a chapter of our Upstate New York District along with Beta Iota, Delta Rho, and Epsilon Eta.

​Brother Salvatore Flagiello (Gamma Rho '06) was as elected National President of Alpha Phi Delta by a unanimous vote of the National Council during its annual meeting on February 29, 2020, at St. John's University in Staten Island. Brother Flagiello is the 55th National President of Fraternity; he previous served at National Vice, Expansion Chairman, and New York City District Governor, among other. Along with Brother Flagiello, Brother Paul Zammit (Gamma Sigma '03), the current National Secretary and former North Jersey District Governor, was elected as National Vice President by unanimous vote. He is the Fraternity's 47th National Vice President. Following their elections, both of these leaders was honored by the brotherhood by the being given the Fraternity Handclap by entire membership of the National Council. Both Brother Flagiello and Zammit begin their tenure in their new roles on July 1, 2020. The brotherhood wishes them a successful term of office. Faciamus!

​On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the Delaware Valley District held its District Convention during which its annual awards were presented. This year’s winners: 

- Outstanding Chapter of the District - Beta Phi
- Outstanding Service to the Fraternity - Delta Delta
- Outstanding Undergraduate - Justin Blank of Delta Delta
- Outstanding Alumnus - Joseph “George” Casadonte of the Del. Valley AC
- Top Academic Pledge of the Year - Epsilon Beta’s William Koper 4.0
- Top Academic Pledge Class of the Year - Delta Delta’s Beta Iota Class 3.28
- Dokime Jeopardy Competition Champions (Fall ’18) - Beta Phi
- Dokime Jeopardy Competition Champions (Spring ’19) - Gamma Mu
- Top Initiates for the 2018-19 School Year - Gamma Mu (fall: 5, spring: 11; total 16)

In addition, Chapter Presidents were each presented with an inscribed gavel featuring their naming and chapter, and re-took their oath of chapter office before the assembled brothers of the District. Following the District Convention, the members headed to Grottos Pizza for a celebratory dinner.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the National Council was held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 on the campus of Pace University in Pleasantville, New York, home of the members of our Gamma Iota Chapter. The meeting was held in Wilcox Hall, and found delegates present from over 90% of our Fraternity's chapters.

Among the many highlights of the meeting were:

• The re-election of Todd Cusato (Beta Sigma '97) and Salvatore Flagiello (Gamma Rho '06) as National President and National Vice President respectively;
  
• The official re-chartering, by unanimous vote, of our Beta Phi Chapter, with our entire chapter of students from Rowan University present to receive their re-chartering certificate;
  
• Adoption of the 2019-20 budget which, while sporting a 10% increase in chapter assessment (the first increase since 2007) saw no other appreciable fee changes;
  
• The election of Jonathan Cangin (Epsilon Zeta '17) as Chairman of the Undergraduate Coordinating Committee to succeed Meir Benishai (Delta Epsilon '15). Brother Cangin won his election in a spirited four-way race.
  
• The re-election of Michael Young (Beta Eta '85) as the Chairman of the Alumni Coordinating Committee. 

National Secretary Paul Zammit was absent for the meeting due to the birth of his second child, but a resolution was adopted by the Council congratulating Brother Zammit on the blessed event. Fr. James Lentini (National Chaplain) stepped up to act as National Secretary for the meeting. In other Council activity: the Council voted by a near-unanimous vote to close its Gamma Omicron Chapter at Stonybrook; it adopted a series of resolutions congratulating and thanking key groups and individuals; it added Beta Phi Chapter, officially, into the Delaware Valley District; it approved National President Cusato's appointees for 2019-20; and it heard a report from National Chaplain Lentini on various items and promotional materials that will be available to Chapters (some of the items were displayed),

There were six National Presidents present: the current one (Todd Cusato), Christopher Mancusi (2014-2016), Nicholas Franki (2011-2014), Robert DeVito (2009-2011), Manuel Rodriguez (2004-2005), and Alexander Fafara (1988-1990).

​The year 2019 is a big year for Chapter Anniversaries in Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity. Of note, we have three active chapters (Chi, Psi and Beta Beta) all celebrating their 90th Anniversary thus year. We also have one active chapter hitting its silver anniversary. In this 105th year of Alpha Phi Delta, the following Chapter Anniversaries have been reached:

90th Anniversary (Chartered 1929)
March 1 - Chi - Pennsylvania State University
March 17 - Psi - Duquesne University
December 28 - Beta Beta - Manhattan College

70th Anniversary (Chartered 1949)
April 7 - Beta Iota - Utica College
November 1 - Beta Lambda - St. Francis University

60th Anniversary (Chartered 1959)
June 5 - Beta Pi - St. John's University
November 8 - Beta Rho - Gannon University

30th Anniversary (Chartered 1989)
August 22 - Gamma Pi - Ramapo State College
August 22 - Gamma Sigma - St. John's University (S.I.)

25th (SILVER) Anniversary (Chartered 1994)
February 14 - Delta Omicron - Rutgers University

20th Anniversary (Chartered 1999)
April 10 - Delta Upsilon - Robert Morris University

5th Anniversary (Chartered 2014)
February 21 - Epsilon Delta - Montclair State University

The Alpha Phi Delta 2018 National Convention was held from August 1-5, at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. With some 250 conventioneers filling in during the five day gathering, the highlight, as always, was the Saturday evening Awards Banquet.

Leading up to the Awards Banquet were several days of Fraternity fun and fraternalism.

On Thursday, evening following the dinner, a raucous two-hour Trivia Night was host by National Chaplain Lentini and Brooklyn A.C. members Ralph Parmegiani and Will Fiore.

On Friday, two events honoring special groups of our brothers were held: The Alumnus Emeritus Luncheon honoring our 50-year-plus brothers and our Military Reception held to recognize the service of our brother who served in our nation's Armed Forces. That evening after dinner, "Dueling Pianos" provided a great evening of musical entertainment.

On Saturday, the morning began with our Executive Committee meeting, which was followed by the Alumni vs Undergraduates Softball Game (the alumni won, once again). That afternoon a Fraternity picnic was held, with many brothers in attendance. As Saturday afternoon became Saturday evening, brothers and convention guests gathered at 6 p.m. for the 2018 Memorial Mass at which 134 deceased brothers from 2017-18 were remembered. Following Mass, the Award Banquet began, with a delicious dinner and an excited crowd.

On Saturday night, the Awards Banquet began with a recognition of the eight Past National Presidents (Carfang, Valeriano, Fafara, Rodriguez, Sundo, Franki, Mancusi and Miller) who were on hand, along with current National President, Todd Cusato. This was followed by presentations from the Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, recapping its successful year, outlining its programs, and announcing its 2018 Scholarship winners (many of whom were on hand to received their well-deserved awards). The Foundation also announced its 2019 Gala to be held in Washington D.C. in April. Outgoing National President Jim Miller was honored in a special presentation by National Secretary Paul Zammit who presented him with the Pin of the Past National President; Miller's wife Joy was given the honor of pinning this symbol of service on husband.

National Awards. Then, soon after dinner concluded, the 2018 National Awards Program, chaired by Past National President Alexander Fafara began. In Academy-Awards-like fashion, Brother Fafara announced nominees and winners, to the thunderous approval of the conventioneers filling the banquet room. The winners this year were:

• Outstanding Undergraduate: Alec Knaust (Gamma Mu)
• Outstanding Alumnus: Jeffrey Breen (Gamma Sigma)
• Outstanding District: Delaware Valley District
• Outstanding Chapter: Delta Epsilon (John Jay)
• Most Improved Chapter: Beta Iota (Utica)
• Outstanding Community Service: Epsilon Gamma (St. Joseph)
• Outstanding Alumni Club: New York Alumni Club
• Outstanding Alumni Association: Delta Epsilon Alumni Association.

The evening concluded with an address by National President Cusato, a report from Convention Chairman John Russo, and Benediction by National Chaplain Lentini. It was an terrific convention, and now we prepare for our 2019 National Convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

On February 24, 2018, the Annual Meeting of the National Council was held at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey. The brothers of our Gamma Mu Chapter served as hosts. Some of the highlights of the Council meeting were:

• CHARTERINGS. The chartering of three new chapters: Epsilon Mu (composed of students attending Queens College, in New York); Epsilon Nu (composed of students attending Penn State's Altoona Campus in Pennsylvania), and Epsilon Xi (composed of students attending Vaughn College).

 

• PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Todd Cusato (Beta Sigma) was elected as National President for 2018-19, succeeding Jim Miller (Psi). Brother Cusato is only the second brother from Beta Sigma to hold this high office (the first being the late Santo Barbarino who served as National President from 1978-80).

 

• VICE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Salvatore Flagiello (Gamma Rho) was elected National Vice President, succeeding Brother Cusato in that role. Previously, Brother Flagiello served Alpha Phi Delta as Expansion Chairman and as a District Governor for New York City North.

 

• U.C.C. ELECTION. Meir Page (Delta Epsilon) was elected by the members of the Undergraduate Coordinating Committee to succeed Harrison Kaufmann (Epsilon Lambda) and lead the U.C.C. in 2018-19.

 

• A.C.C. ELECTION. Michael Young (Beta Eta) was elected by the members of the Alumni Coordinating Committee to succeed long-time Chairman, Jeff Breen (Gamma Sigma) to lead the A.C.C. in 2018-19.

 

• LEGISLATION. Three Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws were passed: one clarifying the amendment process for the Constitution and Bylaws; one removing term limits from the remaining appointed offices that have them; and one allowing the National Secretary to set the publication schedule for the Chapter Letter, as he does for all other publications.

 

• BUDGET. The 2018-19 budget was adopted with a slight increase in fees for alumni entities and for new initiates. Chapter Assessment remained unchanged.

 

• RESOLUTIONS. Resolutions were passed thanking the brothers of Gamma Mu Chapter for hosting the annual meeting and congratulating the brothers of Beta Theta for, this year, celebrating 70 years of continuous activity as a Chapter. Another resolution was adopted re-affirming the Fraternity's anti-discrimination policy.

• NEXT YEAR. Todd Cusato, newly elected National President, announced his intention to hold the 2019 Council Meeting at Manhattan College in The Bronx, New York. Beta Beta Chapter would serve as host for the meeting.
  

• EXPANSION. Todd Cusato, newly elected National President, announced that Zachary Bartolotta (Beta Lambda) would replace Salvatore Flagiello as Expansion Chairman.

Contacts:

Joe Bell, Vice President, Public Relations
joepbell@comcast.net / 724-730-4532                   

Timothy M. Burke, Manley Burke LPA
tburke@manleyburke.com / 513-721-5525

Edward S. Sawchuk                    
edwardsawchuk@gmail.com / 917-783-1609
                            
Micah E. Kamrass, Manley Burke LPA
mkamrass@manleyburke.com / 513-721-5525

Alpha Phi Delta files civil rights suit against Baruch College/CUNY 
    
Violating the constitutional rights of an American citizen runs contrary to the very core beliefs of our nation.  It is particularly heinous when a public university does so against its own students.  That is why Alpha Phi Delta, a National Italian-American heritage Fraternity, has filed a federal lawsuit against Baruch College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY).  The suit was filed on Tuesday, December 13, 2017 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The suit charges CUNY, Chancellor James Milliken, Baruch College President Mitchel Wallerstein and other college administrators with violating the students’ freedom of speech and association as specified by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution.  These administrators set out to punish the Fraternity simply because they dislike it.  Attorneys Timothy M. Burke and Micah E. Kamrass of the firm of Manley Burke, with the assistance of attorney Edward Sawchuk, represent the Fraternity. They are seeking injunctive relief as well as damages. 
        
The suit springs from a campaign of vengeance and harassment Baruch/CUNY has pursued against the men who comprise Alpha Phi Delta’s Gamma Rho Chapter.  In August, 2014 Baruch Provost David Christy imposed a moratorium on Greek-letter social organizations.  This moratorium was extended several times, forbidding social fraternities and sororities from engaging in pledging and “intake processes”, in other words, recruiting and inducting new members.  Prior to the 2015-2016 school year, Alpha Phi Delta’s chapter made the conscious decision to no longer seek recognition as a “Greek club”, in the college’s parlance.  In other words, Alpha Phi Delta no longer utilized any of the facilities and benefits the college extends to other student organizations.  

It is important to note that during this time, the chapter was not accused of any type of misconduct, such as alcohol abuse or hazing.  It should also be noted that this chapter is no different than any other group that associates without formal recognition, such as the YMCA or a religious organization.  All this group is seeking is the right to associate with people of their choosing and to be left alone by the university.
 
Despite this clear separation, in April, 2017, Baruch College charged the individual members of Alpha Phi Delta with violating the moratorium and convened a disciplinary panel against some of the Alpha Phi Delta Brothers.  During the disciplinary process, administrators refused to divulge information to the Fraternity members unless they waived their right to legal counsel.  In the end, three of the Brothers of Alpha Phi Delta were suspended through the end of the Fall 2017 Semester and their access to transcripts was suspended until June 1, 2018.  This has cost the three Brothers access to educational and employment opportunities.  One of the young men lost a promising job.  Additionally, the remaining Brothers of the chapter have been harassed and impeded in their attempts to register for classes.  

About Alpha Phi Delta
Alpha Phi Delta was founded at Syracuse University in 1914 by seven young men who faced adversity and discrimination by other college fraternities simply because their families had emigrated from Italy.  Today, the Fraternity has amassed a legacy of nurturing the friendships and dreams of more than 20,000 Brothers.  

Over the years, Alpha Phi Delta has evolved to include in its legacy men of all ethnicities, while still honoring its Italian-American heritage.  Now in its 103nd year, the national Fraternity currently comprises 43 active chapters and chapters in formation along with 28 alumni clubs with alumni from nearly 100 college campuses nationwide.  To this day, it is managed as an all-volunteer organization.  The Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, provided more than 50 scholarships for worthy students in 2017. The foundation also supports leadership training and a variety of other programs for undergraduates. For more information about this unique Brotherhood, visit online at www.apd.org.

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