they said "no"
 

My college does not have any greek life at all. When a group of girls and myself went to the student activities director to request starting a local sorority she said that there was no way it would happen on this campus. She did say something about going off campus with a city charter and I was wondering if anyone's greek organization has an off campus chater. If so, how did you go about getting one and has it been working for you?

Re: they said "no"
 

The NPHC orgs do.

-Rudey

Freedom of Association
 

Ok, I'm not a lawyer but how can they stop you from starting one? Granted, they can refuse to recognize you as a campus group and not allow you to use campus facilities for anything but they can't tell you who you can and can't associate with......

It's probably a provate school. Private schools can do whatever the heck they want to do.

True, more info Needed!

yes, it's a private college. the reason that they give for not allowing us on campus is that all the organizations need to be open to all members of the campus and some how contribute to the overall mission statement of the school. I guess a group of boys also tried to start a fraternity and the school refused them too. The student activities director said that we might want to look into a city charter and therefore we can still have our organization but not be affliated with the school. I'm just wondering if anyone's done that and if it's working for them.

I would press the campus on your policy that the group must be open to everyone. From a paper I wrote this year, "U. S. Code expressly protects the rights of fraternities and sororities to maintain their single-sex status. According to the Education statutes of the Code, 'No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…' with exception provided that, '…this section shall not apply to membership practices of a social fraternity or social sorority which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of title 26, the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher education…' Allowing fraternal organizations the right to remain single-sex ensures that there will be a home for students interested in joining with others to promote strong community and personal development values on campus, enhancing the opportunities available to students." If you really want a campus sorority, push for it.

I do not have personal experience with city chapters but I do know a few people who are involved in NPHC city chapters and, while they enjoy their experience, it is different from having a campus based chapter.

We have a collegiate city-wide chapter here. It was established that way, because no one campus had a critical mass of Black students that could sustain a minimum number. It encompasses the U of MN as well as a number of private schools. Although the U does not recognize it as part of it's greek system, it does recognize it as a student organization. Thus we are able to use the facilities of the school, the same as any other student org. Thus the chapter does have a campus-based feel about it.

we have a boston area colony in progress.

Be sure to outline not only how responsible you will be (ie having a chapter advisor), but also how much Greek life contributes to campuses! They plan campus-wide events (other than parties), do community service, etc... possibly even attracting potential students.. O:)

I think I"m just going to give up on trying to get our organization ON campus and work on going off campus. My school strongly said that it won't happen. It has never really been a part of their history and they prefer it not become part of their future. They also claim that at lot of students come here because it doesn't have a greek life. (although I know many students that want to be in one). I'm going to look into some other off campus organizations. everyone's comments have been helpful. Keep them coming!

Maybe you could team up with the guys who wanted to start a fraternity and approach the administration together. That way there would be opportunities for both sexes. After all, if your school has athletic teams, they don't let women join the men's teams and vice versa.

Your solution to this problem is simple. Transfer somewhere cool. But seriously, that sucks. What school is it?

This sounds like the best option. I admire those who work hard to start a new organization, but at the end of the day, you graduate in 4 years and have to start an adult life. I'd hope you'd use those 4 years to distribute your time between challenging school work and meaningful activities that don't take your focus away from the big picture: a career.

:( A sad commentary for Greek Life isnt it?:confused:



I can only say that I learned more about Starting a Local and Affiliating with A National, LXA than I did while in College.

There is so much more to learn than books and teachers diserations of expunding on crap!:rolleyes:

Life is the same way, learn or die! Books Aint Everything is they!:rolleyes:

Just do the best You can and if You begin an Organization and want to affiliate with a National, maybe they can help?

Tom, I can see where my words could be taken personally, and I in no way mean to offend, but the average college student is under pressures today to make exemplary grades for graduate programs which are the anticipated next step following undergrad and/or to get out, get a job and move on. I don't see where the vast majority can do this and seriously undertake founding a new student organization that is based on selective membership without university support and some alumni input. Greeks learn great skills, there is no denying this. But the vast majority of adcomms and employers don't give a flip that you were philanthropy chair or planned meals for the chapter house, no matter how well you word it. Employers are going to want to see practical experience via internships. You can do both. But the practical application of textbook theory is going to count for more.

And if a campus administration is adamant about not allowing Greek Life on campus, why rally against the administration on principle when that same energy could be more effectively channeled in to school and approved activities? I just don't see the point in being a martyr to a cause that has a 4-year shelf life. Let's face it, the vast majority do not maintain high levels of involvement post-grad. Some do, but most don't. So unless you have some help and support getting started, I just don't see the point.

No, it is a fne point that You present!

But, without Students and Alum Support then there will be no school.

Am I correct or not?

Colleges depend on these two factors. ??:)

Why should we encourage people to rally against the administration? Because in this case, their rights for free association and free speech are being violated. If we don't defend our rights, they can be permanently taken away.

Some may think that is a gross overstatement--the reality is though we need to protect the student's rights to affiliate with Greek organizations in order to ensure the survival of the entire Greek system and avoid becoming obsolete.

Let this be the lesson...
Ask questions and think twice when you apply to a private school. Are you willing to sacrafice some of the freedoms you will have at a public one?

ok, i appreciate everyone's responses, however, very few seem to actually be answering my question. Yes, my school sucks when it comes to greek life, but I'm not going to transfer schools just because of that. I've accepted their stand on the subject but now I'm just looking for advice about going off campus with a city charter or something life that. So if anyone has any advice about that, that would be a lot more help then complaining about the problem. Thanks.

I don't know if you're near any of the cities these non-collegiate sororities are located in, but maybe this could be an option.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ght=collegiate

Being in a fraternity has helped me immensely, career wise. I really don't know of a better way to gain connections and internships. I pretty much easily have the next ten years planned out and I am still a year away from graduating.

Good for you, McCallan. Me, too. Joining a GLO has been a great choice for a lot of us. But were you a founding member of a local fraternity with an administration who disapproved of your organization and took measures to prevent your organization from chartering and assembling?

mckid, if you are 21 or over, look into joining the Junior League. It's an international network of women with chapters in most cities. The JL works to help build better communities through philanthropy and service, as well as being very social with a lot of mixers and social outings, including galas. You will meet a lot of women, gain personal and professional connections, and through the social aspect, meet some pretty good guys-- I know many JL'ers who have met their husbands this way! JL members' first year is called their "provisional year"-- you spend your entire first year learning the ropes and participating in projects with other new members while mixing with actives and enjoying most of the membership privileges of full members.

Also, check out this thread These are non-collegiate GLO's that you may be eligible to join.

Lastly, go to your campus' office of student life. There are bound to be clubs and organizations on campus that appeal to you and are a good avenue to make friends, get involved with the school and give back to the community.

Actually, adpiuf, some Leagues allow women under 21 to join. The NYC League allow 16 year olds in (although I'm not sure if anyone in high school WOULD!). I have also heard of Leagues that won't let you in until you're 23 (I guess they want you to finish college). Mckid, the best thing to do is to check out your city's chapter to find out what their age requirements are.

Thanks, Tau! I stand corrected! :)

mckid, you could also look into some of the non-NPC sororities. They may be willing to start a city-wide group, especially if there are multiple colleges in the area. Otherwise, I would definitely look into the non-collegiate sororities. A few of them even have collegiate student chapters. Good-luck in all you do!


Yes. I was part of a local group that started at a private university, where the administrators did not want to add any new groups to the existing social fraternities and sororities on campus.

It was a yearlong endeavor of meetings, research, and proposals. Greek life said no, director of student activities said no, the assist dean of student affairs said no, but finally we got to the VP of student affairs, who said YES!

It was a great learning experience and something that I am so glad I did. Just like real life, you have to be persistent to get through all the gatekeepers before reaching the real decision maker. And when you get to that decision maker, you have to be prepared to make your case.