AI in School
 

I posted a thread asking about how the collegiate sorority girls would feel with a 27 year old rushing.

Now my concern is:

Since I am going back to school and I think I am a little too old to rush, I wonder:

Can a Sorority Alumnae be involved with the collegiate girls?
Is there any rule against that or can I get involved in the sorority college activities?

IF I am reading this right, You will be going back to school at age 27 and not affiliated to any GLO.

Actually it may be a bit of an age stretch even though it is always said there is no age discrimination. Yes in a sense there is because of the age spread. Be realistic and think about it.:)

There is a difference in being an Alum and hanging abit than trying to Rush. Just the facts and only the facts, Maam.

Re: AI in School
 

On many if not most college campuses, there are strict rules and restrictions regarding alumnae participation in recruitment events. Also, it can be difficult for a collegiate chapter to learn and grow if their alumnae "stick around" after they graduate. It may be perceived as a problem if non-adviser alumnae are continually showing up at meetings, Philanthropic events, mixers, formals, and such if they were not specifically invited to attend.

A strong collegiate chapter usually has a strong alumnae relations program to keep area alumnae informed of what's going on. There are plenty of opportunities for alumnae to remain involved with their sorority at both the local and (inter)national levels. I would encourage any sorority alumna to join their local alumnae chapter and provide support in that manner. Support can be anything from being an adviser or on their house board, acting as a professional mentor, providing recruitment snacks, or sending flowers before major events.


Edited because proper spelling and grammar is a good thing!

Re: Re: AI in School
 

ditto here.......

I think it's a shame that we, as a society, have such a big age hangup. I have friends of all ages-- one of my very good friends is 20 years older than me, and another is 15 years younger. Age is just a number. It's what's inside that counts-- add to that shared interests.

It sounds like you're looking for the collegiate sorority experience. I say, GO FOR IT!

I would encourage you to go through rush, and not even mention your age unless it comes up. If you skip rush and AI, you'll never have the experience of college sorority life.

I had a quarter in college as a "pledge", and then transferred schools where there was no ZTA.

Years later, I was initiated AI. I can tell you it is totally different. Totally! It's great, but.... different.

True that, but for most of the orgs that have rules against alumnae/collegiate interactions (especially with respect to chapter events), it has more to do with liability and risk management issues, than an age hangup.

I dunno. I just think that at 27 a person should have different interests (and a maturity level) than an 18-19 year old. If you're interested in the AI route, find out if the group you're interested in has a local "Young Alumnae" chapter and get involved with them. It should still be fun, and you won't have sisters pestering you to let you borrow your driver's license when they want to go to the club. ;)

<<True that, but for most of the orgs that have rules against alumnae/collegiate interactions (especially with respect to chapter events), it has more to do with liability and risk management issues, than an age hangup. >>


I think you misunderstood my post. I'm encouraging her to go through rush. I agree that it would be quite awkward for her to try to "fit in" with "the house" as an AI... but simply because those are two different entities.

I also disagree about the age and maturity level of a 27 year old vs a 17 year old. That is a big assumption. I have more faith in most 17 year olds. :) Being in a GLO is all about sisterhood and brotherhood. It's about overcoming differences to become "one in the bond."

It sounds to me as if she's seeking the "collegiate Greek experience". This is something totally different from AI.

I think some women seek AI because they're trying to recapture their college days. Then, when they're finally initiated, they find that AI is not what they expected. That is not to say being AI isn't special.. it is! But, it's DIFFERENT!

I was a pledge in college, and I can tell you that AI is nothing like what it was in school. If she can get the college Greek experience, I say, more power to ya! Go for it! If she doesn't at least try, I'm afraid she'll kick herself and always wonder, "What if...?"

I think it also would be good for her to go through rush... even if she decides not to accept a bid, or if one is not offered to her. I have fond memories of rush, and I think that's something not to be missed. I also found my rush experience very helpful when I assisted the local college chapter this year during pref night. It certainly would be helpful if she eventually accepts a position as rush adviser or chapter adviser when she's an alumna.

It's frustrating for me to constantly see how some posters assume someone can always go AI... as if it's easy to do. And... many imply it's some sort of consolation prize. I will tell you from personal experience that going through the AI process is extremely difficult and emotionally grueling.

In my case, I did not go into AI cold. I had already received a bid from ZTA back in college at an SEC school, was a pledge just about to be initiated, but never was because I transferred to a school that didn't have a Zeta chapter.

And, even though I had these strong ties, once I knew it was possible to be initiated, the process took three very long years. Three years filled with extreme highs and lows. I can imagine how difficult it is for those women who go through the AI process with no GLO ties in their past.

So, she has the opportunity to be a part of the collegiate GLO experience-- I say... DO IT! :D

I agree with this whole post.

And blueangel - THIS kind of thing is what people are talking about in the other thread. ;)

Go through recruitment and see what happens. AI is Alumnae Membership-- a very different experience that you should only consider once you've been out of school for a few years.

You may find the age issue is not present, and you may. Try the process and see.

Alternative: Another great organization for women in their mid-20's-- the Junior League--- AJLI.ORG-- socials, community service, leadership trainings and opportunities, friendship, etc.-- all through a wonderful international network of women helping to build better communities. Junior League isn't a college thing-- the age range of members runs from mid-20's through 50's and up... you'll find a lot of women in their mid-20's-30's as very active and involved members.

ETA: Go on over to the Rush Forum to learn more about NPC sorority recruitment. Get recs, practice interviewing, think about why you want to join a sorority and what value it will bring to your life/what value you will bring to it. But also keep in mind-- Greek Life is a great experence, but there's more to life than being in a sorority! And there are lots of great activities on your college campus to discover as well as non-NPC Greek Orgs-- honoraries, service orgs, pre-professional societies, etc. Good luck!

We had a 30 year old woman pledge with our class and we all adored her! She had battled cancer for many years and finally beat it - she missed college b/c of dealing with cancer, so at age 30, she entered the college world full force. She was one of the best pledge sisters I could ever ask for.

AXO Alum-- that's such an inspiring story! YEAH! You made my day! You made me feel all warm and fuzzy. :D

I was recently advisor to a group where one of the collegiate members was actually a few months older than me (I was 28-29, now 30), and another was a few months younger. The older women very clearly understood that they were going to have to be flexible and work with younger women who did not bring the same level of life experience to the table--and, in turn, they brought a wealth of maturity to the group that, as an advisor, I found refreshing and helpful.

The younger women were at first a little suspicious as to why an older woman would want to join a sorority--and once the women explained where they were coming from, everyone was very welcoming and open. I think establishing an understanding and expectations upfront made it easier for everyone.

I think the school environment plays a very significant role in older members going Greek. I know in my part of the world, "non-traditional" students are common, and a group could really be missing out from a significant pool of potential members if it were not open to the idea. The other student group I often see overlooked in the recruiting process are international students who will be at school for their entire undergraduate career. As students get busier and busier, at some schools it may become necessary to explore new avenues for membership.

If you're older than the traditional student and interested in joining, as others have said, go through recruitment. Be prepared to explain why you're interested at this point in your life and share what you have to offer the group--and be aware that the younger women are probably curious more than have carrying a bias against age.

Which is precisely why she shouldn't try to become an alumna initiate. The entire point of the thread (I thought) was that she was wondering if she was initiated as an alumna, whether she'd be able to hang out with collegians. I answered that question. Where's the disconnect? :confused:

She should by all means go through recruitment if that's what she wants. My best friend did it and she became a collegiate member of Tri Sigma as a 30+ year old mother of three -- so I know that it works in some cases.

No "disconnect." From her original post, it looks like she was being discouraged and told she was "too old" to rush on another thread. I think that's why so many of us jumped in and urged her to go through recruitment.

But you're right, it would be totally inappropriate and technically not able to "hang out" as she puts it, with the collegiates in the sorority if she decides to go the AI route.

I've been reading and thinking so much about this Collegiate/Alumnae matter.

And thanks to the honest opinions of everyone I decided to RUSH!
It will take longer than I was expecting but I'll do it anyway.

I will keep you informed down the road.