[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I didn't make it sound like anything. That's just the way you chose to interpret what I wrote. But, that's fine. Now, in the context in which I was speaking, I would understand why a woman in this situation would feel as if she were being punished or penalized for not being a full-time student.

Generally speaking; however, waiting to join an alumnae chapter is not a punishment and may actually be a better option for older women. But, the point I'm trying to make is that if someone has genuine interest in an org, and but for them being a part-time or online student, they would be accepted into the organization, GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE GUNG-HO.

Give that enthusiasm time to wane, due to life changes and et cetera, and you may never get them back. No matter how much admiration and interest a woman may have in any particular org, the sacrifices she is willing to make to become a part of that organization will change or fluctuate over time, depending on what is going on in her life. If someone is made to wait to join an alumnae chapter, there may come a point where even though her interest is still strong, the re-arrangements she would have to make in her life to join, X number of years later, may not be worth it. Many women get to the point where they say, "bump it", and toss that dream into the "dried up like a raisin in the sun" pile. That would be a needless loss for an organization that needs new members to perpetuate itself.

Edited to add: But, if that's the route the established orgs decide to go, more power to them. Theta Gamma Pi will be here to accept those women - if they meet our criteria - that don't want to wait to join an alumnae chapter. There's room for everybody.

Yes, I know that being an adult in age does not translate to being mature. However, I chose a minimum age of 24 years old for a reason that had nothing to do with mental maturity level. I was trying to be fair by staying in line with the age cutoff most colleges and universities use to identify non-traditional students. My personal preference is an older minimum age, but this is not a "vanity" project and it's not all about me. Principle won over preference.

I am going to have to disagree with you here. If a person has the desire to join an org, they will still have the desire when/if the time comes for them to join. True desire does not wax or wane.

Also, some of my NPHC sister orgs have affiliates of women who do not have a college degree so that is always an option as well. I am not sure if these affiliates extend to distance or part-time students, though. If someone from one of said orgs wishes to speak further on this, they will.