For our chapter, it's a standards issue and usually the VP-Standards handles it when someone's wearing letters when they're not supposed to be. For example, I'm inactive for not being a full-time student this semester, so I can't wear letters. It's a privilege given to girls who participate in chapter activities. If they're not partitipating in stuff anymore, see if you can get your group's standards person to contact the person and tell them what's up.

are you serious? so you are still affiliated but because of x y and z reasons you are not allowed to wear letters? Is this in your national rules or your chapter bylaws or something because this would have me up in arms! In Phi Mu, you do not have inactivity, you blue form, (which is more or less the same thing in some situations), when this occurs, you become an alumnae with all of the full rights of an alumna. (Reasons for this would among others, include not being a full time student.) I could never imagine someone chasing down all of the girls who are being lazy with gpa, payment, not showing up to things to make sure they aren't wearing letters. They're initiated, it's their right. (And even before initiation, it's their right!) And they'd probably put the fear of God into anyone who tried to tell them not to! (Despite the fact that they aren't really concerned about anything)!

what happens if you graduate then? if you don't join an alumnae chapter does nationals swoop down and grab your tshirts and badges since you're no longer enrolled in a school and no longer have the "privileges to wear letters"?

holy crap, settle down!!

First off, it is not the "right" of everyone's group before initiation to wear letters.

I have to say that this is the first time I've ever heard of not being able to wear letters if you're inactive in a friendly way - i.e. if you're not full time, etc - but apparently Stef doesn't have a problem with it, so that's her business.

And if someone was being lazy with payment and not making GPA and not showing up to things - she should be terminated, and she should return all lettered items to the chapter. She didn't live up to her end of the contract, therefore she doesn't get to keep wearing letters.

I agree with the last part...it's nice to think you're sisters for life and unconditionally accepted, but the fact is that you weren't born into this family and if you don't fulfill the requirements, you need to move on. Sororities and fraternities are businesses to some extent and if someone isn't pulling their weight it brings everyone down. Personally I believe you should earn the right to wear the letters by participating, paying dues, being supportive, etc. It's kind of like driving. Some people do think their driver's lisence is a right, but it's actually a privilege that you have to earn by passing the test, and you can lose it if you break the law.

But then again everyone's different. I don't see guys disaffiliating from fraternities as much, though. Is there a difference (besides the fact that it IS hard to live with lots of girls and not get in drama at some point), like it's harder to get kicked out?

My pledge class had a lot of problems and now there are only two girls (of seven initiates) who are active. I believe there are a few who want me to 'disaffiliate' but I officially took a leave of absence due to medical issues and becoming a parttime student.
If they're actually active but not really, I could see the disaffiliation, definitely. Sometimes life gets in the way though...I still love Sigma Kappa and I miss my sisters horribly. As soon as I can take official alum status, I'll jump in with the local alum chapter. Depends what you mean by earning your letters...I made it through pledging (my first semester at a new school at the same time) and then everything went downhill. I don't think I deserve my letters any less...I tried to be active the next semester and I couldn't do it.

Well it's not the same thing if you couldn't. You obviously tried to the best of your ability and you obviously care...it's not the same as people who, out of laziness, get in, don't do anything, don't show up, don't pay on time or at all, and think they are entitled to wear the letters. I just don't feel that way, but that's only one person's opinion.

It's kind of a weird situation, actually--I wasn't academically eligible either because I have a lot of incomplete work from last semester, so that may be the reason I can't wear letters more than anything. My GPA last semester was a big ole I. Half-time status here means that I couldn't participate even if I appealed the academic part with student activities.

BID--my point to the OP was that there are usually specific officers in the chapter who deal with people violating those kinds of rules.