Fifth Year Status
 

I have a question about fifth year status. I searched our forum and couldn't find anything, but if I've overlooked it, would somebody please direct me to the thread?

Anyway, I had always assumed that going fifth year alum was something that you "had" to do. But last week, our CCD sent our chapter an email about formal recruitment that basically said we all needed to be there, whether we had "chosen" to go fifth year alum or not. So I was wondering what the deal is with the fifth year thing. (This is only my second year, so I'm not eligible or anything; I was just curious.) I'm not entirely sure what I'm asking here, so if anyone can decipher this post, I'd appreciate it! :)

*Paging KR!*

5th year status is not automatic-if you have been active in the chapter, and enter your 5th year of school, and meet whatever other criteria to become an alum in good standing, (grades, etc.) you can opt to go 5th year--but if you do, you are considered an alumna, and cannot attend collegiate chapter events w/o the invitation of the chapter, and you cannot participate in collegiate chapter meetings or hold an office (e.g. voting, etc.). You are an alum - you can join the alum chapter.

By the same token, if you go alum as a 5th year senior, you cannot be required to participate in collegiate activities, such as recruitment...at least that is the way it was when I was collegiate. The problem is that some 5th years will take the status so they can get out of paying dues, but still stay involved in the chapter...it's not a good situation b/c they end up taking advantage of chapter resources w/o contributing to the funds for them....

Bottom line. You don't have to go 5th year when you are eligible...you can stay active for as long as you meet the undergrad enrollment requirement. KR-has this changed since my life as an undergrad?

I just went through getting 5th year status. Everyone is right, you do not have to go 5th year. It is for people that have too much going on in school and such. When you go 5th year you do not pay dues and you are not required to attend any events. The down side of this is that you can only come to events if you are formally invited by the alumni liason. I guess this is to cut down on people that go 5th year just to get out of paying dues. Pretty much 5th year is like being a graduated alum except you are still in school.