Except when national headquarters prevents that.

No, usually it's "unless you do something that gets you expelled."

The collegiate chapter's suspension does not prohibit them from joining an alumna chapter/club when they're out of school.

Ah, thank you. I was wondering what they did to offend other countries...

That would provide a more interesting explanation of "Misuse of social media."

Something like "Told Sweden to DIAF" or something.

Oh, come on. We all know that's not the same thing and very cold comfort to an initiated freshman who can't join another group and has to go through the rest of her collegiate career watching other Greeks have fun at Greek week, mixers, meetings, philanthropies etc.

There are very few 18 year old women who join sororities to do the kind of activities that alumnae chapters do.

Also, JMO, that press release really needs reworded. Why would the university suspend the chapter according to Phi Mu's national policies? How do they even know what Phi Mu's national policies are?

I don't see how any of that doesn't involve the person being responsible for their membership. Probation and Suspension are temporary and also do not interfere with "for life" unless the person chooses not to resolve it.

I just object to the idea that it's HQ's fault that you're not a member which seems to be what you're suggesting.

All of these rulings come from national headquarters, thus "except when national headquarters prevents that."

The NPHC and the NPC do things a little differently where discipline for individuals is concerned.

DrPhil - NPCs pretty much either terminate you (i.e. you're not a member anymore and it's as if you've never been a member) or make you early alum when a chapter closes. There are times when people have financial issues but those are resolved by just paying up. It's not like I've seen with NPHC groups where Susie isn't allowed to participate in any XYZ events for 2 years or whatever.

No, it's not. I get that. But if she's dreamed of Phi Mu and wants to stay involved, she can. It's not supposed to make up for what was lost, that was the punishment for whatever the chapter was doing. It sucks, but the people to be angry at are the people in the chapter participating in the actions. (As much as people protest innocence, I'd say its rare that truly innocent chapters are given 4 year suspensions. Not impossible but rare.)

And generally you can't join the alum chapter until after you graduate anyway.

I assumed because it was Phi Mu's press release the "why" was worded in their language. The line before it indicates that there may have been a University "value" that was violated - one I assume is agreed to by their presence on campus and existence as a student org. But obviously not enough detail to be sure.

The general rule is that many college and university policies "override" (for lack of a better word) national policies.

The university may have communicated with a chapter advisor and other representative of the sorority beyond the chapter. That's how Greek Life tends to know what the policies for GLOs are--not to mention that some Greek Life offices get direct correspondence with the written hazing and academic policies, etc.

Yes, I understand that it is different for individuals.

I just think it comes off as blaming HQ for your own screw ups ;)

Thanks. I figured Drolefile was making a general statement when she said sorority membership is for a lifetime and not being NPC-specific.

One thing that GC always reminds me of is that the lifetime membership is not very emphasized in the NPC, in general.

Sometimes HQs are to blame because they are filled with imperfect people interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures. But my point was that HQs make the final decision (with and without an appeal).

off topic: DrPhil, this brings to mind the discussion a while back about my observation of my DST friend and how deeply involved (and committed) she continues to be with her philanthropy and her sorority sisters. As I see it, the interpretation of NPC lifetime membership varies greatly and depends on many factors and circumstances.

So, while my "membership" does continue as an alum, my actual involvement with my fraternity depends on ME and how much I put into it (e.g. alumnae club activities, advisory board activities, etc).

back to the topic at hand...