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?