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Wacky Article about Underground LCA chapter
I read this on another thread on GC, ironically I ran into an "underground" alumni of this chapter (Slippery Rock) at a well known sports bar in State College the other day. Realized he was a brother due to his tattoos, he told me how well they were doing "off the grid" I wonder if LCA actually sued them? Read Below
Lenox http://www.sru.edu/depts/rocket/news...ewsstory1.html Former SRU fraternity may face lawsuit By: Rebekah Renshaw Rocket News Editor A group of students claiming to be members of a fraternity, which lost its charter at Slippery Rock University more than a decade ago, may face a lawsuit due to the continuing operation of the group on campus. According to Eric Richards, risk manager for Lambda Chi Alpha international headquarters, a group of students at SRU are still referring to themselves as members of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. SRU had a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha on campus until 1991, when the fraternity was shut down due to chronic violations of alcohol and risk management policies coupled with a consistent decline in chapter operations. Richards said that his goal is to get the message out to those students involved in the group and to get them to stop what they are doing because of safety concerns and copyright laws. “The point of this entire escapade is to rid our organization and the campus of any dangerous activity that occurs on a regular basis,” Richards said. “Anytime you have an uncontrolled group, through the absence of headquarters and SRU policy, you could have a very dire situation. All we want is for these activities to stop. But, if they don’t, then we will definitely press charges.” Cathie Sadler, coordinator of Greek affairs at SRU, said that the group is a safety concern because there is no way to monitor what they’re doing. “When an organization continues to perpetuate underground, they may be doing things that may be considered a risky behavior,” Sadler said. “And, if they are, we’re not able to control that in any way.” Richards said that he is encouraging any members of the group to cease the activity and join a recognized group on campus. “Greek life is a valuable part of any college student’s career, when it is experienced in the right manner,” Richards said. “These individuals are not receiving the experience which they should and are recruiting other students to join and receive a similar, negative experience.” Sadler added that she wants new students looking to get involved in a Greek organization to know that this underground Lambda Chi Alpha group is not one that they should be associating with.Richards said that the national Lambda Chi Alpha headquarters were notified last year about the possibility that alumni from the former SRU chapter were possibly aiding the group and, in December, they sent out a letter asking for the actions to stop. Richards said that while they do not know the individual names of the students involved, they’re planning on finding the residence of the group and contacting the owner. “Unfortunately, we do not currently know specific names of the individuals involved, only that there is a place of residence.” Richards said. “We plan to locate and contact the individual or individuals who lease or rent the property.” If the action does not stop, Richards said that the international headquarters of Lambda Chi Alpha would press charges against the students. If convicted, the students would be ordered to cease and desist any activities related to Lambda Chi Alpha and fines may be levied for copyright infringement. Members of the group refused comment concerning the issue. |
That's insane !
The illegal militant wing of Lambda Chi. One's gotta wonder what their numbers are like. Guess they won't be putting in for any awards at G.A. |
True that...
I guess then we aren't that 'underground' - at least we are recognized by IHQ if not by the school (that is a whole other issue that my sister did a paper on). I'd love to know what there recruitment process is - and how it works out for them... |
i know we cannot go into details on this board but what about ritual? homemade stuff?
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Most of the stuff they could make, or hire someone to make. I'm sure they've picked up a couple of items on E-bay.
As for the contents of the actual Ritual, they could find/purchase the entire ritual on the net. It's interesting, Maybe their ritual is word for the word the same with the exeception of some funky break-dancing at the end. |
I hope that IHQ tries to step in and nip this at its base.:mad:
If not, SR will be forever lost for expansion. Dont these moroons know it harms LXA as a whole. WOW, no wonder they got the Charter taken from them. Sounds like the same mentality to me.:( |
SRU
To clarify, they are recognized by noboday and that article was 3 years old. When I ran into this guy at a sports bar he told me that they have alot of members, and a large house.
Apparently they seem to be doing fine without sanctioning from anyone, they have been closed for almost 14 years now, as I said "off the grid" Lenoxxx |
We had that happen at Umass with the old PiKE chapter that was disbanded. They operated for several years as the most successful fraternity in Amherst until a court order finally put the nail in the coffin.
Anyways, if I were them I would just change the name to Lambda Chi Alpha Beta or something like that and avoid the lawsuits. Why doesn't HQ just give them a charter if they have the house and the members? I would guess they probably wouldn't want it if they are doing well. I like the idea of a rogue outfit. Loosen up HQ a bit. |
lenoxxx can you clarify even more?
"IF" They are Using The Name of LXA without sanctions, then, They are wrong!:mad: They are doing s disservise to all of us as Brothers. This will keep Us off of Campus for many years to come because of these people. I refuse to call them Brothers!:rolleyes: |
I bullshitted with this guy for like 5 minutes, he seemed nice enough. I dont think they care if you call them our brothers or not, they havent cared about that for years it would seem.
I just got the impression that this guy had just gotten out of school and was in State College for some reason, the outlaw SRU chapter still is doing well and has a house and a good amount of members. It would appear that the lawsuit or whatever in the article I posted didnt do much as that was from 3 years ago. BTW there is an active underground chapter at Villanova and one at Susquehanna U. In selinsgrove pa right now as well. They are both pretty well known as well. gammazeta, maybe we could do a road-show to all the outlaw chapters to interview them! (just kidding) Lenoxxx http://www.susqu.edu/crusader/articl...ArticleID=1107 University moves to oust illegal fraternity By Meghan O'Reilly Assistant News Editor Following recent concerns from the national chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha about an underground fraternity bearing its name at Susquehanna, administrators and athletic coaches are taking steps to insure students and athletes alike are not participating in any such organizations. "Coaches of all athletics are taking steps to keep athletes from pledging any illegal or underground fraternity," head football coach Steve Briggs said. Several athletic teams will not allow members to participate if they choose to pledge underground fraternities. Briggs' concerns focus on low grade point averages of the athletes who participate in pledging underground fraternities because there are no rules or regulations similar to legal fraternities. Fraternities require all prospective members to have a certain G.P.A. before they are allowed to begin pledging. "Those underground fraternities don't have any requirements," Briggs said. "Then I have kids [football players] quitting my team and dropping out of school," he continued. Briggs clearly stated that football was not the only sport in support of this issue. Men's track coach Jim Taylor confirmed that he would discourage any athlete or non-athlete from joining any illegal organization at Susquehanna. In 1993, the national chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha withdrew Susquehanna's charter. That same year, Susquehanna withdrew Lambda's recognition with the university due to serious disciplinary problems, according to Dorothy Anderson, dean of student life. Problems with the former chapter of the fraternity included hazing, which violates state law and university policy, according to Anderson. "Their behavior crossed the line. There were several assaults related directly to the underground fraternity," Anderson said, referring to an incident that occurred on campus last winter. Anderson added that a period of five years must pass with no association to the former chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha in order for the national chapter to reconsider its charter. "They [the underground fraternity] are entitled to a free association, but they can't tie themselves to the [Lambda] name," Anderson said. "The longer they associate with that name, the less likely they will get their charter back," Anderson said. Susquehanna president L. Jay Lemons met with members of the underground fraternity earlier this year. "It was made very clear that any association with the name [Lambda Chi Alpha] would put off any reconsideration of reactivating the charter," Lemons said. "I spoke with several Lambda alumni who are troubled and embarrassed to have the name associated with a group who haven't always been the most honest and upright," Lemons said. "These alumni do not regard them as brothers," he continued. Lemons had positive things to say about the underground fraternity as well. "They clearly care about one another and have made strong bonds," he said. Prior to the revocation of the charter at Susquehanna, the name Lambda Chi Alpha "meant more" than what it has become to mean today, according to Lemons. |
It's an interesting concept.
On the one hand they screwed up, badly, and deserved to be punished. On the other hand, they still wanted to continue the fraternity and keep the brotherhood together. If they really loved the fraternity, they wouldn't have violated it's law (which I don't always agree with or follow myself). Of course, trying to continue on shows some true dedication. Maybe they deserve a second chance? This kinda just goes around in a circle. Hell yeah Leno, I'm always up for a road trip! |
Whats the deal with chapters in pennsylvania? It seems they just can't give it up. I met an ELC who told me he was visiting the St. Joes chapter and they ran into another Lambda Chi. They asked him what chapter he was in, and he said at Villanova, this was after Villanova was shut down. So they asked him how the chapter was doing at Villanova, and he said they were doing great, just had a rush class of 15 guys. So it seems that they are doing just fine without official recognition.
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Alot of it is the poorly run greek systems at alot of colleges in Pennsylvania and alot with the state laws and enforcement on drinking and the lot. Chapters that probably are award winners in the South or mid west would be shut down in Pennsylvania.
Anyhow Honky to make a long story short, Pa has had several long running illegal chapters IUP( now a chapter of Pi Lambda Phi, with our ould chapter designation Beta gamma zeta, now Beta Gamma Chapter of Pi Lam, after being local as BGA for years) Villanova- Beta Iota Bloomsburg Beta Xi, affiliated with another fraternity after being underground for a while Slippery Rock- Lambda Xi- still going Susquehanna- Still going- Iota Eta James Madison in Va had a long running illegal chapter not sure if they are still around. Basically alot of these chapters have houses or housing, and have parties, and they can recruit (helps to not have much in the way of dues) At shippensburg we have underground chapters of at least 5 national fraternities, so it isnt just LCA, it is the whole state and all the greek systems. Lenox |
Well, the Phi Tau Zeta is doing by the rules and doing very well.:cool:
It is amazing as you and I have along with others try to figure out the web of Pa. Schools and Greeks. In reading this, I just wonder how not only LXA and all other Greek GLOs feel about this? This seems to be an funkle upped Situatin, oh forget about the wankle of gizmoing!:rolleyes: But if go by the rules, then in the clear!:cool: |
It might just be me, but after reading the article, one thing worries me a little. The article wants them to disband and join actual organizations. If the members join affiliated campus organizations.
A: What ritual have they been using, B: If they use ours, they probably don't use the oaths, C: they are not under the same obligation to keep those oaths, D: Whats to keep them from divulging all the secrets, When I started school at UNCG, TKE was just losing their charter. They disappeared for a long time, and then resurfaced as a local, that was rumored to still use TKE's ritual. These were a bunch of hoodlums, no actual Greeks got along. They did in fact get Theta Delta Chi to make them a colony. They are still rumored to using TKE's ritual rather than TDelt. Due to the fact that they could never get on campus, supposedly TDelt just disassociated the colony. As far as rogue Lambda Chi Chapters goes, NC State (Gamma Upsilon) is rumored to having a rather strong rogue chapter. Never met anyone in it, but I have heard about it 3rd hand. IN ZAX, Brian A Gustafson Phi Theta 182 |
They probably just use our ritual, but most likely with some changes.
They probably do use the oaths, I mean if they consider themselves Lambda Chi's. What other oaths would they use? I really don't think they would sit down and write brand new ones. What obligation are any of us under to keep our oaths? I know many brothers that have broken their oaths. Giving someone your personal word sadly means different things to different people. What's to keep them from divulging our secrets? What's keeping ANY of us from divulging our secrets? Out of the tens of thousands of LXA's around the country, I'm pretty sure if you wanted to find out our secrets, you could. I bet you any hot, flirty sorority girl could easily get some brother nice and drunk and get him to spill the beans. That goes with any fraternity really. You really shouldn't be worried. There is nothing that an underground chapter can do that other brothers haven't already done. |
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Guess what? The media will report it was the LXA fraternity. The public won't have the detailed information to know it was an underground fraternity (won't know what that means) - so, in the long run, anything an underground chapter does that makes the news gives the TRUE LXA fraternity a stigma. I read an article in the Rocky Mountain News about 10 years ago that was similar to this - it had to deal with an underground LXA chapter in the south somewhere - when the neighbors called to complain, and the police showed up - they found naked, drunk people all over the place and live chickens running around. One of the cops said "I didn't realize we had interrupted their initiation ritual." Guess what kind of questions my friends and family started to ask? |
So a recognized chapter cannot have an am/pledge die? Remember that article about that Lambda Chi that burned himself when his chapter decided to drink grain alcohol around the lamp?
We've had many chapters act irresponsibly and illegally that were recognized chapters. If you're underground or not, you are just as likely to do something stupid. There is hazing that goes on in recognized chapters, and there is hazing that goes on in underground chapters. There is drinking that goes on in recognized chapters, there is drinking that goes on in underground chapters. If it was only underground chapters that caused problems, then why do we still have risk management and insurance for recognized chapters? Yeah, the public probably won't realize an underground chapter isn't official, but I would be much more worried about a recognized chapter with a house and members wearing the letters doing something stupid than an off campus underground chapter. We have what, maybe 10 or 15 underground chapters? Compare that to the number of recognized chapters. A gambling man would put his money on the recognized chapters doing something stupid before the underground chapters. |
That's not what I said. What I meant was - anything a underground chapter does could affect LXA as a whole, even though we aren't truly affiliated with said chapter. The public will just hear the name LXA, and assume it's the international fraternity. It's not.
Should a recognized chapter have a similar issue, yes, we'll still have the same PR problems - but, at least it's a recognized chapter that some official recourse can be pursued. An underground uses our name, our symbols, and presumably our Ritual - without official recourse from HQ should something go wrong. |
I wonder whatever happened to any of this, I found yet another article online about it
Lenoxxx National chapter threatens suit January 25th 2002 By Jenni Rowles Assistant to the Editor The national organization of a former Susquehanna fraternity said it will seek legal action against any student who claims to be a part of its group. The Susquehanna chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha was shut down in 1993 but has continued to operate as an underground chapter, Eric Richards, risk manager for the national fraternity, said. The national organization plans to send a cease to exist order from its attorney to stop the group from acting as if it is a legitimate chapter of the fraternity, Richards said. If the men involved in the underground chapter fail to cooperate with the national organization's request, Richards said the attorney will sue the underground chapter. Richards said that the illegitimate chapter has kept ritual equipment, continued to facilitate the ritual of the fraternity and has continued to recruit new members to join the chapter. "Members of the underground chapter have also continued to wear the Greek letters, Lambda Chi Alpha, on clothing or have worn similar or off-breed versions of the letters," Richards said. Richards also said that the fraternity has not followed protocol and has used the letters on fliers, publications and other forms of media. "The biggest thing is for the group to stop acting as a group, to stop facilitating ritual and to stop using our name," Richards said. Dean of Student Life Dorothy Anderson said that since 1993 the national organization has been drawn into two lawsuits involving Susquehanna students and has had to pay for legal assistance to be removed from the suits. "One of the cases that the national was involved in took place in 1995 and wasn't resolved until two years ago," she said. Richards said that nation-wide, there are less than three organizations that are operating in the same manner as Susquehanna's underground chapter. The national organization became aware of the chapter through correspondence from Susquehanna and other Lambda Chi Alpha chapters in the area who witnessed fraternity activity, Richards said. Anderson said, "We have not asked them [national] anything recently, but we keep national informed about incidents involving students who claim to be Lambda Chi Alphas." "It was fairly well known that the chapter has been like that for some time," Richards said. According to Richards, Susquehanna has been cooperative with the national organization. "A university can't do much about a chapter such as this [because of] the right to free association," Richards said. "The university legally cannot stop men from joining this group." Richards said that the national organization doesn't close a lot of chapters and when it does, it implements an aggressive expansion policy. Susquehanna's chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha lost its charter in 1993 following a "long-standing, consistent violation of fraternity risk management policies," Richards said. "We're talking about things such as alcohol and hazing violations," Richards said. "We try to come back in three to five years to re-start fresh [when the people who caused the problems are gone]," Richards said. Anderson said that this group of men is not a recognized group on campus, and is not allowed to participate in Greek Week, Homecoming and Inter Fraternity Council events. Richards said the solution for the group of men involved in the underground chapter is to consider starting a new fraternity on campus. He stressed that Lambda Chi Alpha will not be re-installed at Susquehanna. Anderson said: "The upperclassmen lie [to the new members]. They believe that they are members of Lambda Chi Alpha but they are not." "No current student will ever be a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha," Anderson emphasized. "Prior to the university withdrawing recognition and the nation withdrawing the charter, Lambda went through a period of six to eight years where the fraternity struggled with issues," Anderson added. "It [when we withdrew recognition] was not abrupt, rather it was very involved and elaborate. The decision was not arrived at without serious conversation," Anderson said. Susquehanna has since implemented a Greek review system, which helps university officials decide whether or not a chapter should receive recognition. "Lambda was a strong chapter at one point," Anderson said. "It had 100 to 110 members and was quite healthy." "Some of the men are delightful, but some of them believe the only way to solve problems is to fight. If they leave S.U. thinking that is correct, then we didn't do our job," Anderson said. "My concern is for the health and well being of all Susquehanna students, so this inappropriate behavior has to stop," Anderson said. Nationally, Lambda Chi Alpha has 207 chapters and has more than 227,000 initiated members. According to the fraternity's national Web site, it was the first fraternity to eliminate the pledging process. Although students with ties to the underground chapter were contacted, they failed to comment on the issue. |
Actually now that I think about it, If I really wanted to get these kids, I'd just hire a private investigator and find out who they are and file civil lawsuits against all of them, followed up with a paper trail and photographic evidence.
Lenoxxx |
I don't think you need to ruin these kids lives. You shouldn't take any action that would put a permanent black mark on their record.
All you need to do is file a quick, simple civil action in federal court. They will spend the $200 bucks consulting with a lawyer and find out that fighting it would be 1,000's of dollars. Of course, just tell them you will drop the suit if they will stop using reference to LXA, etc. Neither the kids or LXA should do more than that. The kids won't be so stupid to spend $$$ fighting a losing case and LXA shouldn't look like it puts fraternity ahead of people's futures. |
I am Sorry, but if They are Reprsenting Themselves as Members of LXA and using Ritual and paraphanelia then they are wrong on many counts.
If they are not recognized by The School and LXA then there can be Civil Lawsuits. Why, well if they represent themselves as Members of a International Fraternity, They Are Wrong. So, where does this place us as an International Fraternity? If they violate certain Rules and Regulations, it might very well fall upon LXA Heads. This really needs to be taken care of. Now, the other question is: If they think that they have been Initiated in LXA and are not, Just Where does this leave them?:confused: :( NO Where actually! |
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If they are not a recognized chapter, they are in breach of confidentiality and other copyright issues. It's not so much the civil copyright issue that really scares me - it's what could possibly happen from a risk management standpoint that puts US (legitimate brothers of LXA) in serious jeopardy. However, now that it has gone public, this underground chapter best see the writing on the wall and call it quits. If not, if they continue to violate our brotherhood, they deserve whatever happens to them. |
I would have to disagree. I don't think any action resulting in a permanent black mark or any action which would jeapordize these kids' future is worth more than a fraternity and them using some letters. To me, a person and their future is worth more than any organization. LXA should find a way for them to stop using the name and I gave a good example of such.
I don't think we are at risk with any risk management issues. They are simply not members of the fraternity. We can't be held liable for their actions especially since they are aware that they are not part of the fraternity. I just think some of the posts against these kids are a little extreme. These are KIDS we're talking about. There is no need to ruin anyone's future over this. |
A lawyer weighs in
I suspect that these groups operate with little if any supervision. There would be little risk management oversight and no alumni around.
If something unfortunate should happen, and if our name were to surface, the plaintiff lawyer would file suit against the General Fraternity and it's officers - that's where the money is. The group in question may have been an LXA chapter in the past, and they may have been disciplined and closed, but the plaintiff lawyer won't care, the families / survivors won't care, and the media won't care. Fraternities carry the same love in public as pit bulls and politicians. The local press will smell blood and will come after us, and the campus Greek system as a whole. LXA will be in the position of damage control. Anything we say will be taken as self-serving. If we say "We closed that chapter three years ago", the plaintiff attorney will respond with "Well, you didn't do a good job of closing it, did you..." That they group was not officially sanctioned will mean little to the press or a jury. I don't want to be in the position of trying to explain away a problem. Rather, I would want to smack it hard, right now. Thus, if something unfortunate should happen, we might be in a better position to defend ourselves. |
Respectfully disagree.
If LXA was ever taken to court for the actions of a group of men because LXA had a chapter there 13 years ago, the judge would throw the thing out, no question about it. LXA has taken the necessary steps to safegaurd themselves from any liability arising out of the underground chapter. There is nothing we can do to stop these people from continuing to function as a group or a fraternity. We can only legally stop them from using our logo and stating that they are members of the national fraternity, but nothing else. The fact that the group is not sanctioned would mean everything to a judge or jury. A judge would throw this out on the first N.O.V motion or motion for summary judgment. |
You sound like a lawyer
Where are you licensed to practice?
I don't know of any lawyer that would be so sure of a summary judgment motion. Certainly not here in California. Perhaps in the south, but not here. |
First of all this case would never go to trial. All LXA wants is for them to stop using the symbols and stating they are members. All the members want to do is exist in an underground group. LXA would not want to spend their resources fighting something so trivial and, unless some kid in the group is a millionaire with nothing better to spend his trust fund on, who is going to pay for the groups lawyer, nevermind a copyright or intellectual property attorney.
In Massachusetts with our overbooked, understaffed court system, I highly doubt any judge would let this continue. A bunch of drunken frat boys running around with another frat's letters on is the very least case a judge would want to hear. In fact, I'm pretty sure the judge would point to the door, tell them to take 5 minutes and settle it, and then come back into the courtroom. If an injury occurs, exactly what legal connection to LXA does the plaintiff have to stand on? Not one of the kids in the group is affiliated with LXA. If I go out and murder someone and say I am a member of the Masons (even though I am not) does that make the Masons responsible? Please state what legal cause of action that the plaintiff would have in suing LXA, or any group the person imagines he is part of? I'll have to boot up good ol' Lexis Nexis after I'm done drinking tonight to take a look at Penn. law. |
So, I guess the question should be, if they are not recogignized By the School and IHQ, then who are they?
What can they do to do damage to any further expansion? If this is the case, just what harm can be done? |
I would say they are simply a group of guys. I'm pretty sure after 13 years that they don't follow alot of LXA traditions. LXA members have strict guidelines in ritual, etc., so when an underground chapter does it for almost a decade, I'm sure they have eliminated and added many parts to it because of the lack of guidelines.
I just think the end result should be that they don't use our letters anymore. Like Richards said, you can't stop them from forming a group. |
The group in question may have been an LXA chapter in the past, and they may have been disciplined and closed, but the plaintiff lawyer won't care, the families / survivors won't care, and the media won't care.
That last part is the important one. Bad PR is never a good thing - the media won't care whether it's an underground or regular chapter - the name LXA will be spread in a very negative manner. Gamma, I agree that they are kids, and they shouldn't be punished severly for something like copyright infringement - my concern is the risk management side. The potential civil lawsuits that could stem from an underground chapter will still cost LXA IHQ thousands in legal fees simply to prove they aren't liable. Then again, even though they are "kids" - they are 18 or so in age - legal adults when it comes to legal matters. |
I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I still believe that any judge in his/her right mind would not allow such a frivolous suit to go forward. Anyways, would'nt the university be just as liable and have deeper pockets than LXA? Shouldn't the greek system should have handled it?
LXA won't be held responsible for something a person, with absolutely no ties to the fraternity, does. It's a baseless claim. And if it was allowed, think of how it would change our system. Now anyone convicted of a crime can simply state they are part of an organization/fraternity/sorority (true or not) and automatically be covered under the insurance? Here is my personal opinion that I think we all share. I consider it utter bull$hit that a national organization is held responsible for something a member does. Why aren't the parents, school, coaches, church held equally responsible? I am still shocked that judges have continued to uphold the fraternities responsibility of all aspects in a members life and not other organizations. Why isn't Ron Artest's team held responsible for his actions? Why aren't the Masons held responsible for all their membership? If a person screws up, frat member or not, it should be that persons responsibility for compensation. I don't think that simply because 1, 2 or 3 people commit a crime outside of the realm of fraternity that the national organization should be held responsible. |
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Not that I don't disagree with you, I wish it were true, but that is not how civil lawsuits have worked. That's why LXA will need to aggressively protect itself. |
Granted, anyone can form a group.
Using Letters, Badges, Coats of Arms, Ritual Equipment of a International Fraternity is illegal. How much has LXA Ritual really changed over the years? The real rub to this is as LXAAlum said, if something does happen, it falls back on us as Members of LXA. How, costs of legal fees to present that "This Group" is not a part of LXA. Now, whether if it is a jury case, how will the jury go? They will say more should have been done to keep this group from using LXAs Name and Letters. It still boils down to the fact that LXA Int. will never go back to SRU as long as this "Group" exists. Dont ever think that LXA has a lot of money, We dont. Most Nationals are in the same boat as We are. Expenses for what is given to us as Members, Active or Alum is tremendous compared to many others. We are the fortunate few in Greekdom. Ask any good lawyer, there are Lawsuits hourly, frivilous as some seem, they are still being filed for what ever reason, and actually that is money. John can verify this, many lawsuits are settled out of court just so costs can be saved in the long run. |
Underground Slippery Rock
As an undergrad at Pitt, I actually made a roadtrip to Slippery Rock with a few brothers. Their house was big and had a few acres of land all to itself. The membership was alive and well, approx. 50 or so actives at the time.
As for their traditions the underground chapter held true to almost all LCA heritage. The collection of Assoc. Member class paddles was impressive and dated from the present all the way back to the chapters colonization. The members were very proud to be LCA, despite the fact that the chapter was not recognied. As for the ritual, and without getting too specific, the chapter did have it and used it. It was something that all members took very seriously. The one big difference was that it was conducted on a very very large scale. Even though I hold the ritual near and dear to my heart, I have to admit that I was very impressed by the theatrical type twists they used. They treated all the Pitt LCA's with great respect. Many of them held out hope that a formal recoloniation could eventually take place. As for other PA underground LCA chapters, I did meet an AXP from Bloomsberg who mentioned that his chapter sprang from the remnants of the disbanded LCA chapter of the early to mid 1990's. ZAX |
Why wouldn't LXA HQ give these guys a charter? Because of something that may have happened 5 or 10 years ago? As long as the trouble makers are gone or not involved, what's the problem? HQ holds grudges for far too long. I remember my chapter still being on probation about 5 years after an incident, even though anyone involved was long gone. Their punishments are far too drawn out. Why should the newer brothers pay for sins that they weren't even involved with or were even brothers at the time?
Anyways, why wouldn't LXA make these guys official? We all know HQ is hurting for $$$, think about an extra 50 guys paying dues, and then their associates paying fees, and then alumni contributions. It adds up. And if HQ is worried about lawsuits and bad press, why not make them official? Then they would be insured, paying dues, and HQ could then regulate them. |
First of all, LXA can't recognize those "brothers" - read the Constitution and Statutory Code.
Second - I understand your frustration on a timeline more than you know. When UNC (Northern Colorado) was closed in 1989, we were told LXA would return in 5 years. Yeah. Right. 5 years went by, then 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 long years before the recolonization actually happened. There are too many variables to recolonizing that LXA HQ doesn't have control over such as actual campus climate, campus greek reputation, current greek system "health", and on and on.... Waiting to recolonize UNC truly taught me the virtue of PATIENCE. And doing things the right way. |
Just curious, but there is no way the brothers from that chapter could ever be a LXA, ever? I don't have the constitution or code handy, well, actually I don't have them at all anymore since I moved.
Just from a common sense perspective, it would only make sense to invite those brothers in. I mean it is more $$$ for nationals and an already established chapter without all the re-colonizing work. How often do LXA chapters with 50 guys suddenly appear? The positive things are the dues, they are then insured, and HQ can monitor and regulate them. I mean, they are kids that WANT to be a LXA. It would be different if the underground chapter was competing with a recognized chapter on campus, but it's not. There is no LXA chapter there. Just my thoughts. |
I'm not sure what the current state of the Slippery Rock chapter is, as it was at least 8 years ago since I was there. I believe the active chpater had numerous risk management violations, as well as, owed national a very large sum of money.
As much as I would love to see another LXA colony, there is a substantial risk in starting a colony that has operated under its own "underground" management. That is not to say some of the underground chapter's membership would be a good fit for a recognized colony, however some members would most not likely not be able to abide by today's standards. Thereby, the overall success of the colony would be at risk. Personally, I would love to see LXA step up national recruitment efforts. I believe, over the last 15 years, we have substantially fallen behind the likes of SIgEp, Kappa Sig, and PIKA in terms of innovative, effective, and quality recruitment. If anyone has any doubt as to this, I would recommend checking out the recuitment section of the SigEP national site. The resources there are amazing. Their colonization process is also something that LXA can learn from and improve upon. |
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