We have a number of brothers who associated when they were over the age of 24 and everything was fine because they were still undergraduates...someone getting a PH.D on the other hand....

Touche, thank you!

Why thank you. :D

My cousin's son just returned from five years in the army and was 24 when he entered Temple U. If there is a House there that welcomes him and he wants to join it, I see nothing unusual.

There were waves of older ex-soldiers returning to or entering college after World War II, Vietnam and now the Middle East. Many of them joined Fraternities. I don't see any insurmountable problems. We had some older guys in my time and if say, there was a Pledge mixer with a sorority, the older guys had the sense to skip it. It wasn't like we took attendance.

Thirty four though, is different, but some of us enjoy the different.

All very different situations from being a PhD or Grad student. By that point you just have to realize that ship has sailed.

Yes, and what bothers me more is that once you're in such an advanced state (getting a PhD), don't you normally choose the school that a) is best for your specialty, b) the best one you can get into and afford, and c) the best chance for you to end up getting a job after? Why on earth would he choose a school based on whether or not he could get into a fraternity there?

On another note, Old School was a funny movie, but not so much in real life.

I just Googled for the Hell of it...300 was 2006 and Tw¡tter was launched in 2006, but I would guess it really wouldn't have caught on big for a few years. However, the ones who talk about it are the computer geeks, and it seems to me that they're "cutting edge technology" people, so I'll buy that. Besides, it's all alternate universe anyway. The disappointing part of all the POP culture references (Glee and Jonas Bros in the newest one) is that most of that stuff won't be relevant in 20 years (heck, maybe even 10), so they've defeated any chance they had at longevity. Twilight might still be around in 50 years because there isn't anything (or much) in it that wouldn't still be as relevant as Jane Eyre and Emma are today.

Glad to be part of this community !

You also don't normally want specifics on what students could do to you to take advantage of you or that would be 'reprehensible.'

While people can I'm sure with some effort deduce what chapter I'm alumni from, I think they can take it if I share this bit.

I was in town running a conf call on invite night for this most recent Spring rush. There was a 24yo going through that was just out of the military. Couple combat tours. Good record. There was a discussion about the age thing. No one really had a problem with a 24yo member, but they though 27 when graduating might be a bit more awkward. He was initially voted down. A fight almost occurred. Later on he was called up on re-vote and accepted.

There's a LOT of older guys coming through rush now after the military. Many in fraternity chapters in our greek system. Frankly, if some group of 18yo girls is going to be creeped out and thereby penalize people for serving their country, then screw em.

I realize grad student isn't the same thing. I know from an advisor perspective we want as many alumni as possible in faculty/administration. So, this is not necessarily a bad pick up despite being unusual.

The actual execution of it would be complicated. Any fraternity will excuse a pledge for classes and appropriate study time, normally for work as well. I'm sure if they wanted to make this work they could. All sides would have to understand what they're getting into.

If this is a serious question, check your campus greek affairs policy, then email all the nationals of the fraternities on campus to see what policy is (undergrads won't know). Then email chapter presidents to have a discussion about it.

If you really want to talk about hazing/expectations I'll do that too, but check first on the policy issues.

I think that's the point. Your brothers aren't going to be screwing them. Your chapter will quickly get a creeper reputation especially if the older guy doesn't have enough sense to not hit on the freshmen girls.

This is apples and oranges. An older first year undergrad is very different than a PhD student of the same age.

I get that. I wouldn't hit on college girls. I'd just like to join a fraternity for the brotherhood. It's something I didn't do in college, and I regret it now. I would like to serve on a fraternity alumni board because I think it would look good for my career.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, please explain about hazing/expectations.

Like dnall said Check your schools policy but what do you mean by hazing? Nearly everything is considered hazing nowadays?

Exactly. I'd like to know the difference between hazing and their just being in charge. Because as a grad student, this may be a problem for me if it gets out.