Members of the Kappa Alpha Order are entitled to a free subscription to The Kappa Alpha Journal while attending college, if initiated between the years of 1936 and 1951, or as a member of The Loyal Order. Others seeking to subscribe to The Journal can do so here for $18.65 per year. Finally, the magazine will remain available online at all times and at no cost.
Background
A little historical perspective may also help put this development in perspective. The only KA initiates who were promised free subscriptions to the magazine for life were those initiated between 1936 and 1951. Aside from that, alumni were to receive The Kappa Alpha Journal for only the ten years following their graduation, unless they specifically requested it. That was the way it was supposed to work. In practice, however, alumni have been continuing to receive The Journal regardless of whether or not they asked to continue receiving it.
In early 2004 the Kappa Alpha Order Executive Council decided to enforce the longstanding policy of providing The Journal for free to members only during their college years. This change went into effect following the Spring 2005 edition of the magazine. The Loyal Order program, which will relieve undergraduates from funding what is largely an alumni resource, is the main avenue for dedicated alumni to continue receiving The Kappa Alpha Journal.
The Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation
Unfortunately, the generous contributions of alumni to the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation can only be used for scholarships and educational and training programs. They cannot be used to pay for the production and mailing of The Kappa Alpha Journal. Before the advent of The Loyal Order, the only funding available for the magazine was undergraduate dues. These dues, which should also be focused on educational programming and leadership development, have historically been diverted to pay for the magazine. Many alumni have received The Journal for decades with having never contributed a dime to its cost. This is both unfair to undergraduates and a constraint upon The Journal.
The Loyal Order
The benefits of joining The Loyal Order are many:
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A handsome lapel pin which members of The Loyal Order wear with pride and cherish for life
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A personalized wallet card that distinguishes a member’s involvement and association with this elite group of loyal KA members
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A lifetime subscription to The Kappa Alpha Journal, which educates, entertains, and chronicles the lives and achievements of KA men around the country
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Personal recognition in The Journal as a new member of The Loyal Order
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Discounts and/or upgrades at car-rental agencies, on travel packages and with other companies
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And greatest of all, the pride of knowing that your loyalty as a charter member will lay the foundation for a stronger, better Kappa Alpha Order for generations to come
We know this transition will challenge all KAs, but it’s the only way to continue the 126-year legacy of The Journal while allowing undergrad dues to be used for the educational and training programs that are so important to our young brothers. We hope you understand and will consider joining The Loyal Order.
To join The Loyal Order or to subscribe to The Kappa Alpha Journal on an annual basis, please visit www.loyalorder.org.
For more information or with any questions, please contact Scott Rowson at srowson@ka-order.org or by phone at (540) 460-2655.
