Colonizing at *no recognition* schools
 

Most of the advice on expansion seems to assume a *normal* relation with the administration, where a representative of the school (Dean of Greek Affairs or at least head of the Student Activities). I found the following on the situation at Harvard.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/20...d-panhellenic/

Note, I think there is a *small* inaccuracy in the article. It says the school will not recognize Greek Organizations that discriminate (gender, I'm sure) and have off campus parent organizations. I think *either* characteristic is enough to keep a group from being recognized, so no local single-sex GLOs and no co-ed Nationals as well...

So does anyone have experience at extension to schools where the school doesn't recognize?

(Note, my service fraternity (Alpha Phi Omega) requires recognition by the administration to have a chapter there...)

I bet they have their hands full -- wouldn't seem worth it to me, even for Hahvad.

Most, if not all, of our Canadian chapters are not recognized by the University because they cannot recognize single gender organizations. That said, they aren't really opposed to the Greeks either. I know at the University of Toronto they have a "Friends of Panhellenic" student organization that is open to anybody, male or female, so they can reserve campus facilities as that student organization when they need them. The University isn't anti-Greek really, they just aren't allowed to recognize single gender groups.

I have a professor friend who is a Theta and she told me a couple years ago that they have had to abide by some odd dictates at Harvard. She said they weren't supposed to list the chapter on their website or otherwise "acknowledge" it, but I think that has changed now. I'd be interested in hearing if another Theta remembers that.

In what way do you think a GLO's hands are more full there than at another campus? The only thing to me that would seem to make it stressful is if they tried to make a Harvard chapter behave like a chapter at LSU, or DePauw, or any other school. Come to think of it, that goes for ALL chapters.

If anything, the sororities would have a far greater degree of autonomy and ability to enforce risk management rules. Non recognition cuts both ways. If they don't want to recognize the GLOs, they can't be upset or intervene if a GLO terminates a woman for something the school might think is silly.

Is this why in the press release it said the "Cambridge Pahellenic" rather than "Harvard"?

Does Princeton recognize it's greek organizations? I seem to remember that they were trying to discourage people from joining them.

No they don't and despite that, the chapters are thriving

To the best of my knowledge (just checked), they are not. ETA: Jill! jinx! buy me a coke!

I'm with Jill - Harvard chapters are most definitely thriving.

Princeton has imposed some significant restrictions on GL this past year. There are GC threads that address that topic.

Because I know what I'm talking about. :D

:D I'm so excited that Alpha Phi will be coming to Harvard. Great choice! I wish them much success. :D

If you mean risk management issues, as I said, the sorority (or fraternity) has a lot more leeway to kick troublemakers out without the school's interference.

If you mean something that's of a more snobbish nature, well, par for the course.

An Oct. 3, 2012 Crimson article with a little bit (OK, a tiny bit) more about activities, info sessions, etc., and Alpha Phi recruitment:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/20...rities-social/

Alpha Phi is colonizing at Harvard? Nice. I'm sure they'll get lots of support from the MIT chapter and other Alpha Phis in the area.

That "Cambridge-Area Panhellenic Council" wording is so odd. What about MIT? MIT is "Cambridge-Area" too. :p

Anyway - to the best of my knowledge, AEPhi will charter chapters at schools that don't recognize Greek Life, but I can't think of any such chapters off the top of my head. We did attempt to colonize at Brandeis at one point (I don't believe Brandeis recognizes Greek Life) but for some reason it fell through.

So excited for the Alpha Phi colony to start at Harvard. I remember when we heard about it in meeting recently, we were all cheering and excited :D