Underground Chapters
 

Just what is an underground chapter and how does it operate? Especially with respect to recruitment.

To be clear, I understand *unrecognized* or *unregistered* chapters - where the inter/national HQ recognizes the chapter as a member chapter yet the campus does not recognize or support GLOs per say. (i.e. Santa Clara University, perhaps some Ivy League campuses) Also those groups that *use to be* a chapter of an inter/national GLO but now operate as a local. (i.e. Chi Tau at Chico State)

My confusion is with the group that is not recognized by the inter/national HQ (i.e. suspended, charter pulled, etc.) yet claims or presents itself as a NALFO, NIC, NMGC, NPC, NPHC, or any other inter/national GLO chapter.

There are probably as many answers as there are underground chapters. Some probably still use the ritual and maybe even national pledge program the same as they did, they just are no longer an official chapter in the eyes of their national. Some are using nothing from the national except the name.

Yeah, I understand that initiated members of the GLO would like to continue their brotherhood and even participate in the ritual.

But do the men or women who join after the chapter "goes underground" understand that they are not part of the inter/national organization? That their GLO experience may be limited to just this group? That their membership is not recognized by HQ and "real" (for lack of a better word) members of the GLO.

My guess is that those who do, just don't care about the alumni aspect (after college) of Greek life on the larger level (inter/national) and join for the specific brotherhood of the particular group.

It probably depends on the group and how they present their relationship to that parent organization. I thought there was a storyn on here a while ago where some group was telling pnms that they were xyz, when they actually had their charter revoked and were operating illegally. But that could have just been a scary dream...?

I am aware of the following scenario.

AB Chapter of XYZ fraternity was suspended due to the indiscretions of one or a few members. Those "bad" members were booted out and the remaining members remained in good standing. However, they had to move out of their house and could not participate or act as an official chapter of XYZ for a year. (Might have been two.)

The members still hung out, some rented a house together that served as a gathering place, and perhaps they even had meetings/ritual. (Don't know for sure.) They more or less functioned as a chapter for the suspended year yet just nothing official.

They continued to meet other men on campus and may have even recruited some of them with the understanding that they might become members the next year. When the next school year began, and the chapter was reinstated (recognized) by both the campus and XYZ HQ, those "pledges" (for lack of a better word) who were illegible, were now officially able to pledge XYZ.

I am not aware if their HQ knew about any of this. But frankly, I would venture to guess that some HQs might condone - via turning a blind eye - this kind of scenario. It would not only keep the brotherhood together (if appropriate) but also might help with recruiting new members for the following year.

But this scenario works because everything is on the up and up. The potential new members *understand* that they are not members yet, and that they still have to officially pledge the following year.

I can see how in some cases, "new members" might be duped into thinking they are joining the inter/national GLO. Especially since they wouldn't know anything about ritual, costs, structure etc. of the group/fraternity until after the fact.

But what about the stuff the members *should* get from HQ? Pledge pins, badges, manuals etc. I guess an outlaw group might retain some of these things, or flat out lie, but I just don't see how they could get away with it. And does the campus and or IFC/NPC Greek Life crack down? Report this rogue group to the parent organization?

Excellent questions.

My guess is that if AI is not an option (many organizations do not have AI) then it would be "thanks but no thanks".

I also think some nationals may see it as you were not initiated as a member of XYZ. Period. As far as they are concerned, you have no ties to their fraternity/sorority because your "chapter" has no ties (anymore) to XYZ.

Operating an underground chapter is undoubtedly looked down upon. And whether or not you knew that the chapter has lost it's charter I'm sure can be overlooked. If the chapter has no ties to a national organization... why would that organization be any more inclined to offer that person AI than some random person on the street?

Where a person participating in an underground chapter (notice that I do not use the word member) sees themself as an XYZ because they think that they already are, I have a feeling nationals would not be so understanding...

I believe that they would tell you to go sh!t in your hat.

Their opinion would be along the lines that if you wanted to serve the sorority/fraternity so much that you want to be AIed, your first matter of business would be to alert them that there were people using their name and insignia illegally.

Re: Underground Chapters
 

As far as my organization is concerned, if the college does not recognize the chapter or approve of its existance on campus, then it cesses to exist as far as we are concerned. Campus approval is one of the criteria for having a recognized chapters.

Some 'underground' chapters apparently operate on campuses, using our name. They have inducted members who now think they are members of our organization. Some of them have contacted our National Office to try to become Life Members &/or join Alumni Associations, but since they are not on record as a member, they are barred this. Yes, this means that that 'underground chapter' has deceived these people, took their money, ran them try a ritual (may have been ours, or atleast the one that was approved at the time they were shut down), and gave these people the idea they were joining our organization, but not so.

Some 'underground' chapters apparently operate on campuses with other names.

LXA will not recognize underground Chapters. We normaly will not keep a Chapter on a Campi if there is a problem with the school.

Granted, there are Schools who do not recognize Greeks, but with an understanding, that they will be tolerated.

Alfred in NY is one of the Prime Examples. They did not recognize any Greeks after a Local had a death. They were told to get off of campus. LXA Chapter while did nothing wrong, IHQ DeChartered them.

I am still upset about that one.

We have several Chapters under the pretense of Saying they are LXA, but they are not. I then wonder what the young men who join think they are joining?

They lose in the long run.:(

They think they are joining LXA.

And as I've seen with my org, later on when they try to get involved as an alum, they will learn the true...

A related problem I've seen in my organization is that some chapters don't involve themselves with the national organization in any way. They ignore contacts from fraternity officers, they don't send people to conferences/conventions, training events, etc. Thus the chapter members have little idea there is an organization beyond their chapter. For many of these people, they only care about their chapter. They ignore any requests to get involved with the larger organization as alumni. Thus the organization loses and these people lose, because these chapters are taking this sort of attitude and not properly educating these members.

I would think that it would be to the college administration's benefit to report illegal chapters to HQ. Does this happen? And if so, what action do they - or any other inter/national organizations - take?

While I am not an attorney, this frankly seems like fraud. And the ones presenting the group as part of the national - when they are not - could be held liable for fraud or something along that line.

A similar financial issue is that of ghosting. This is when a chapter removes a brother from its active-member list to save money even though the brother is still active in the chapter.

To combat this, Sigma Chi has proposed a one-time membership fee. My understanding is that each chapter may pick an approved payment plan(s) for collecting fees from members based on what works best for the chapter. The bottom line is that all fees are to be paid by the member to the chapter in/by the semester following the brother’s initiation and then submitted by the chapter to HQ when due. Assessing the collection options.

Note: This proposal will not apply to chapter (local) fees (dues).

Re: Underground Chapters
 

Like others have stated, apparently, there are folks who "think" they are members of an organization because they have gone through some "ritual" that is illegal and unrecognized by the IHQ.

Usually, the IHQ gives their members some "notification" of membership, sometimes an officially recognized membership "pin" with an "embossed plaque" (like a diploma of membership). These "underground folks" NEVER get one and they are deluded to think that they do not need one.

They are guarenteed membership by folks who have undergone a similar "process". So, you have a perpetual cycle of non-members making non-members, so-on and so-forth... It gets so large that it is difficult to distinguish folks who are legit vs. folks who are not, aside from straight out asking where is your pin, your plaque, your financial card and your recognition from IHQ...

In the NPHC we call these folks "ghost members". They are illegitimate members who have not gone through a legal process and are considered as being "hazed" and "hazers". In my Sorority, these persons legally cannot ever become members of my organization if found that they "actively" knew and participated in an illegal activity.

The biggest thing what undergraduates who are interested in NPHC organizations should look out for at events is the level of professional looking alumni that either attended their university or did not attend their university that are are much older--i.e. 35-something... That is just my opinion and I could be wrong...

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My campus had/has an underground chapter. It started when they "initiated" non-students (which is against campus policy). Their HQ got involoved and suspended them for breaking campus policy. They continued to bring in and initiate "members". Each time we (Greek Affairs) finds out about new "members" the supsension is extended by the national office. It helps that a member from that chapter is a regional officer. He gets angry that people are doing this so he just keeps extending it.

Good for you roqueemae and Greek Affairs! And good for the regional officer!

Quick follow up. Do you have a sense as to *why* men join this group? Do they truly *understand* that they - the new "members" - are not recognized by HQ? Or do they know and just not care. :confused:

At my school we have two underground chapters, one is recognized by nationals and not by the school, and the other isn't recognized by either. Every year, at the beginning of both semesters, the school puts up flyers in dorms telling guys not to rush them. A couple of my friends are in the fraternity that's not recognized by nationals, and their new members always know that they are basically like a local fraternity. I don't know how much of ritual they've retained, but I was talking to one of their brothers the other night, and he was telling me about their symbols and such, so they do continue to teach the national program, or at least a part of it. The reason that their charter got taken away originally was because of nonpayment of dues, and they've been an underground chapter for about 6 or 7 years now. I think that nationals told them they could get recognition again if they do certain brotherhood programs and pay dues again, it's a question of if they want to do that or not, because regardless of national recognition or not, they still have pretty high numbers.

It may be the college administration isn't aware of this or just doesn't care. I am uncertain what actions an org might take. No idea of what legal action they would take (and against who). I do know that with my org, an underground chapter on campus means we will not allow a legitimate re-charter effort to begin for several years. So undergrounds actually hurt any efforts to have a legit chapter.

Yes, exactly so.

Our National Office has been contacted by people who were 'inducted' into underground chapters wanting to become Life Members. We check our records and since we have no record of them, and since they joined 'underground' chapter, so sorry, but they are not brothers.

(And realize that since these underground chapters were once legit, they probably have ritual books and such, and running these people thru the standard rituals. But since one of the big reasons that chapters get shutdown (in almost any org) is hazing, they are probably engaging in that behavior as well.)

A similiar issue is caused by chapters who fail to send in their paperwork and fees for those they initiate. When you get initiated, you receive (via the chapter, who receives these from National) your membership card and certificate. I've met some actives who seemed to be in this situation. If something were to happen to their chapter (it goes under, whatever), and this situation isn't correct, they too, would not be considered Brothers. We've had articles in our national magazine regarding this, because it, too, is a problem.

If your nationals were to shut down a chapter, wouldn't they take the ritual books along with their charter?

I have no idea what they would take. I've never been involved with such an action. I would think they'd take the charter and ritual books, but as chapters can always order additional sets, they could have extra sets or older editions (we revise them every couple of years), and we might not get them all. No idea if they'd take the chapter scrapbooks/history books, banner(s), etc.

Thank you TSteven for keeping the school and situation relatively anonymous/hypothetical.

It seems like this is more prevalent among fraternities than sororities. I'm sure it happens with sororities, don't get me wrong, but it seems we here about it more with fraternities. Why does everyone think that is?

I know that when a KD house is shut dow (I haven't been part of the process but I know and have spoken to many people that have been), everything is taken by HQ and the House Corp. Usually put in storage, in hopes that the chapter will open again. But i'm sure that all the ritual stuff would be taken... though if a chapter is in a situation to get shut down, it may have a few members that would think nothing of xeroxing the ritual materials

If not xeroxing, writing down from memory what they know. I can think of one National org which has had a hard time reclaiming their possessions from a group. Especially when the group knew that HQ was on its way to collect the items and they hid them. I'm sure there's a point where some ritual may be similar, but has strayed from what it once was. When a chapter closes, it seems like HQ needs the alumnae to be supportive and help reclaim items that rightfully belong to the sorority.

I think they do it for the ladies. Seriously along with the underground org, there is the underground little sister org that should never exist to begin with.

Everytime I see someone on campus wearing certain symbols of this org (colors, etc) I get suspicious. They do not wear outright symbols-letters- on campus. We did walk in on them doing trying to do philanthropy work in the org's name at the campus daycare. That completely threw me for a loop. The dean's son goes there! Why would they do this on campus?

Oh and another thing. I don't think they care about national recognition. They have enough attention locally to satisfy them.

Frankly, I had never heard of an underground inter/national sorority until GC, yet a few scenarios with respect to fraternities.

Fraternities

As I previously noted, my experience with 'underground' fraternity chapters basically meant the men continuing their brotherhood (friendship, wear letters etc.) during the chapter's suspension. They never presented themselves as an active chapter of their organization. And the campus was aware that they were not an official chapter. Now it was speculated that they had "meetings" and frankly, my feeling is they did. (Freedom to associate etc.) And because it was known that they would return the following year, (back in their house etc.) they were able to meet men that they "recruited" (for lack of a better word) by befriending them and who were willing to wait to pledge once the chapter was reinstated.

And in general, a fraternity chapter may have an easier time coming back on campus than a sorority - often due to rumors and perceived reputation etc. As such, if the current members and alumni are intelligent, they will wait and not do anything that would put retuning to campus in jeopardy.

Again, this above scenario is what I always envisioned as an 'underground' chapter. Not some illegitimate group claiming to be an active chapter much less "initiating" "new members".

Now if the scenario is that the chapter may not come back for some time, I can understand why a group might try to take it underground to continue the "brotherhood". What I am dismayed with are those groups (sororities too) that dupe "new members" into thinking they are legit. Along with procedural things that only an active chapter should have the right to do.

Sororities

Now why doesn't this happen with sororities as often? Well as I noted above, I am not familiar with any underground inter/national sorority. And since I am not that familiar with NALFO, NMGC, or NPHC sororities I'll keep my speculation to NPC chapters.

My general speculation is that since NPC chapters have "guidelines" regarding their rush - formal rush at same time, set campus total, set quota, cost of rush etc. - it is a more "open" process. Thus the women going through NPC rush, *know* there are only X number of NPC chapters and their names etc. For example, during formal rush, the PNM visits each NPC house - yada, yada, yada. Thus the PNM may make her choice from that X number of NPC chapters or any other recognized (NALFO, NMGC, NPHC or local) sororities. The point is that if there was an 'underground' sorority (ABC) it would not be part of this process. It should be *known* to any PNMs that if they were to join ABC, it would not be an active chapter of an NPC organization. And as such, I would speculate that the likelihood of being duped - i.e. thinking they are truly joining a recognized NPC inter/national chapter - is low.

Of course that doesn't mean that 'underground' sororities don't exist. I just feel it would be harder to present the group as an active legitimate member of their parent organization. And that the women who join, *know* this and don't care.

And on the flip side regarding returning to campus, when a sorority chapter closes, it seems like it is harder for the chapter to come back anytime soon. Again, often due to true or unfounded rumors and perceived reputation etc. So I could understand *why* a group might want to go 'underground'. Because they most likely won't be back anytime soon etc.

TSteven, I never thought of it that way but you probably have a point as far as sorority formal rush is concerned.

However, I think for males and females the amount of people who "just didn't know" is greatly exaggerated - especially nowadays with the internet and its search capabilities available.

TSteven,

I think that most "undergrounders" (for a lack of a better term) do not think that they will get caught for malicious activity...

I think you've hit the nail on the head for both fraternities and sororities about "initiating new members" that are illegal. It happens in all organizations when there are "cooked books"...

But what happens is that these "new folks" start asking questions about their legitimacy and why they cannot be and how they can become legit and get very frustrated by the one's who misguided them in the first place.

Then, there are worse things that can happen when an "underground chapter" operates--like folks dying during a "hazing offense"...

There is only one widely accepted definition of an underground chapter.

Its is a fully chartered chapter that is not recognized by its host institution.

Its that simple.

Then it isn't an underground chapter. Its an underground local, which is a school's worst nightmare.

Not really. There are schools (Santa Clara and Franklin & Marshall come to mind) where the chapters aren't or weren't recognized by the school, but there is no punishment for joining them and they have the full support of their national org. I would hardly call that "underground" - simply unrecognized. Underground makes them sound like outlaws, which they are not.

I would guess that for more people, "underground" means a group that was formerly a chapter of a national org that continues to operate under the national org's name without their or the school's blessing.

Well then almost all Canadian chapters are underground by that definition...:rolleyes:

I always thought that an underground chapter was one that still used the images and letters of their org. after their charter had been pulled...

As I said somewhere, there are Schools who while they do not Recognize Greeks, do tolerate and behind the scenes support them as part of The Campi. It is called $$$ from Alums.

If THE SCHOOL gives approval to said NHQs, they will be willing to work within the peramiters.

I checked with Our IHQ, and there is no statement policy for underground groups.

Again, the saddest part is the new young people who come in maybe hoping or not being actually told!:(

Again as I said, Schools such as Alfred in NY flat said You are not welcome here. Off damn spot. So All Did!

Sorry, that to me is their lose as a school.:confused:

SLightly off topic
 

Quick Question:

Here is the situation
If a chapter is not recognized by the university for a specific period of time, lets say Jan to Dec 31, 2005. The sorority was a recognized colonized chapter but got penalized for some time of infraction. Now this sorority has a house that is considered off campus, freshman have to live in the dorms and can not live in the sorority house.

So, here is the question:

Can this sorority members
1) live in the house,

2) still behave as a chapter as in have in house sisterhood events, ect, even though they may not particpate in campus activities like greek week (for example)

3) have ritual (again in house) say like members going through active to alumni ceremony.

Would these activities be considered an underground chapter, cause they are not recognized by the university, until their probation is over?

I guess it would depend on whose definition you use. I think it depends on their National organization's view on it. If they haven't pulled their charter, as far as I'd be concerned, they're still an official chapter. Apparently there are some differences whether the university is public or private too. It sounds like, from a legal standpoint, private institutions have more power because public universities can't restrict the freedom of association. If students are free to choose where they live after their freshman year, then they should be free to choose where they live, whether its an off campus apartment or an off campus house owned by a sorority. That whole thing seems weird to me because Eastern Michigan never knew where I was living once I was out of the dorms. I used my parents' address since I was moving all the time, so how does the University even know where you're living? You could be commuting from home for all they know.

Since I have a lot of experience with a chapter (U of Toronto) where no NICs/NPCs/NPHCs are recognized, but they are in great standing with Alpha Gamma Delta, they are not underground in my eyes. I wouldn't consider them underground unless they were closed by our headquarters and continued to function as a sorority, either using our letters or switching to a local. The danger in the latter situation is that they have no liability insurance, no alumnae/advisor guidance and are putting the national organization at risk by their very existance.

Dee

Of course, it also depends on why the host institution doesn't recognize them. In AGDee's example, I wouldn't define the U of Toronto chapter as an underground chapter, because the school doesn't recognize Greek organizations in general.

But at my school, we have a national organization who has lost university recognition (and has not regained it after several years) but continues to maintain their charter from their national. Because there are other Greek orgs that are recognized on campus, our IFC and Greek advisor discourage men from rushing that house because they do not have any of the benefits of university affiliation. Although they are still recognized as a chapter, I would consider this more of an "underground" situation than the first.

Re: SLightly off topic
 

If the house is off campus and not recognized as official sorority housing by the school, anyone can live there that the sorority desires to have live there.

As for 2 & 3 - is the chapter being recolonized? Is the sorority OK with its nationals but not the school? I mean, the main thing here is whether the sorority's HQ still says they are an active chapter. I doubt they would let them take members or do Greek week if the school says no, but they would probably still be doing everything else (meetings, ritual etc) if the national considers them an active chapter.

I don't agree with your definition. I don't think it's that simple.

My chapter is a fully chartered chapter. We are paid visits by our HQ officials. We send in our dues, reports, etc. We have an organized alumnae advisory committee. We are 100% recognized by our HQ's.

I feel that the underground implies that you are operating in secret. While the GLOs are not recognized by my university. No group is operating in secret. The university knows we are there, and as long as we follow university policy, they cannot touch us.

Not in my organization.

An underground chapter is one that is NOT chartered by our NHQ.

If a chapter is not recognized by its host institution, they also loose their charter, as that is a requirement to be chartered. We do not charter chapters that the host school won't recognize. That is one of the first requirements to (re-)chartering a chapter.

Re: SLightly off topic
 

I can reply with respect to three different fraternities on three different campuses that should be applicable to sororities as well.

Background: One chapter was on probation for grades, another for a "prank" that was not *appreciated* by the host institution, and the other because of a "minor infraction". I don't recall what it was but most likely either alcohol or hazing related. Each chapter was put on "social probation" by their HQ, their university and their IFC. In two cases, they owned their houses, but were on campus. The other the house was off campus.

A. Yes. In each case, the chapter was allowed to live in their house. One chapter, which didn't have one at the time, had a "house director" (house mother perhaps) appointed by the university and was paid for by the chapter. Not sure if the others were required as well or if they already had a house director.

A. Yes. As part of their social probation, they could not have any parties or events at their house at all. And had limited "guest hours" imposed. And as you noted, they could not participate in any campus activities as well.

However...

The chapters were allowed to have limited activities & raise money for their philanthropy. The activities were limited to service.

One chapter was allowed some limited house events. I think it was for parents weekend and for alumni at homecoming and their founder's day.

And one chapter had a tradition where alumni hosted a dinner at a local banquet hall or restaurant. Since this was an "up and up" kind of event - parents, university officials, other invited Greeks, community folk in attendance, i.e. well behaved - approval was given for the chapter to attend.

Yes. All had meetings, ritual etc. and were able to attend their conferences etc.