Authority Over Another GLO
 

Hey Guys, Whasssup! I've got one of those headbanger questions in need of a realistic answer. This is an actual case, but the organizations different. If given the authority by student affairs (this situation actually exist between two GLO's), would a single chapter of AKA's vote internally to to give the okay to allow a group of Sigma Gamma Rho's to recharter on the same campus? Or any two organizations?

1. about any two organizations

The student affairs office at your school probably has the authority to decide whether or not the school will recognize the chapter. If the school's regulations allow, that office can probably decide to rely on the opinions of organizations that are already on campus before it will recognize a newcomer. The lack of school recognition does not necessarily prevent a group from colonizing, but many things can be tied to school recognition, including membership on interorganizational councils, the right to participate as a GLO in school-sponsored events, and even the right to live in large-group housing (because towns and cities often zone so that a fraternity can only occupy a house if it is recognized by the school).

As a matter of corporate law, whether or not a chapter exists depends on the charter granted by the parent organization. The school cannot dictate that the chapter does not exist. This is why you see some chapters that continue after the school has ceased to recognize them; as long as the (inter)national organization recognizes them, they exist. But the school doesn't have to let the organization participate in its events, and others can also tie rights and privileges to school recognition.

In practicality, though, many organizations won't try to colonize if they can't get approval from the school. If the school wants to delegate that decision to the already-existing system, it can probably do that.

2. about these organizations in particular

Is there something in particular about these two organizations that would give the school a reason to handle this matter this way? Or is there something that raises special cause for alarm? I don't know anything about either of them. Are they somehow related?

a few more notes
 

The fact that the school can probably delegate its decision to members of the existing system does not mean that it should, and I'm definitely not saying that it should. I personally think it's more than a little sketchy. Whether the school will recognize an organization should depend on well-reasoned, well-articulated, and carefully judged factors. It should not depend on the arbitrary fiat of an already existing chapter. If the already-existing chapter is the only group on campus, it will have an incentive to act anticompetitively. If it is one of many, then there is no justification for not including other chapters' voices (if you really must go that way at all).

When a new NPC or IFC group comes to campus, the existing members of the overseeing orgs vote on it. This is a totally different situation though - I would think this decision shouldn't be left completely up to the AKA's. Sounds like student affairs is trying to pass the buck.

Actually Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity is a coed entity on campus. Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority allow colonization by single gender groups. Both are unofficial sister/brother service organizations. Both will have service female members. That is the competition. But the school of Tennessee State University has given the Alpha Phi Omega chapter the authority to say yes or no to having that organization recharter.

But you bring up a very good question. If that group forms as an interest group how far will they get? Normally an organization goes by what ever the school says. But this is a situation that has to be a first.

IFC tried to block Sigma Pi.

You bring up a couple of points that I think help define my answer.

One, the relationship between GSS and APO is unofficial, which at best means that neither is "beholden" to the other in terms of reconciling growth strategies, organizational objectives, etc. Even if the two groups were "official," the growth of GSS wouldn't necessarily be dictated by APO in this case, it might be that GSS would "consider" the opinions of APO out of respect for their history and relationship, but it seems that ultimately, the decision would made by GSS.

Two, although APO and GSS are both service organizations with intertwined histories, since APO is now co-ed, the organizations now have two slightly different slants. While the original mission of APO may remain the same from its inception, the addition of a coed element is an additional factor differing from its original iteration, and also differs from what is offered by GSS. In short, what a female prospective might see in APO is not synonymous to what GSS is offering. Therefore, GSS and APO offer about the same competition between them as would be in two NPHC groups or two NPC groups: similar in some ways, but essentially different.

As such, I would have to say that APO should not have any particular say on whether GSS could colonize on the campus as an individual entitty, but I don't see why APO could not either offer an opinion that the campus may not be able to support more than one service oriented GLO or vote as part of an umbrella organization's decision.

Moving beyond the two specific groups, I agree with Europis--I don't think it is a sound policy for any one group on campus to decide whether another should be allowed a place on the campus--there is too much room for subjective decision making. This type of decision should be ideally made by a committee from the student activities office based on some objective criteria, or should at least be made by the campus umbrella organization for that particular group type. The best way though, is for the organization to be self-selective--let the interest of the students and the organization's ability to say solvent on the campus determine whether the organization is viable or not.

I couldn't agree with you more. It seems that this gives a block door to the colony group. Because if the girls of the APO group do not like GSS, the decision would be like stuck in committee, and off of the shoulders of styudent activities. But How could this happen. I'm in total agreement with letting the students decide, and not letting the student activities pass the buck. It students on that campus have that desire then APO should have nothing to do with it.

Yes, there is a difference between Social and Service Groups of which I am a Proud Memeber of, LXA an APO!

Governing Bodies are Different!

The Final decision is not by any Org. But by the School!

I know, I have been there.

You may start an Org. and nmot be recognized by a Governing Body, but you are still there!

You Grow on Your Own Merits!:cool: