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DO NOT forget about the importance of public relations!!!!! I am not a lawyer, so I cannot speak to the legality of your school's actions, but I do know that most schools will go out of their way to avoid bad publicity. Be sure to speak with the public relations reps from your national office about how to handle the PR strategy. I have found that many people are willing to back down from bad decisions (like your schools!) once they start getting a bit of bad press.
So I would say definitely bond together with the other Greek orgs on campus to present a united front. Compile as complete a list as possible of the things you are not allowed to do and the reasons you were given for the restrictions on your orgs. And when you contact alums, be sure to keep a running list of supportive alums who are in high profile positions -- the press is probably more likely to quote an "important" alum than just another member of the GLO.
I definitely agree with the suggestion to do a large-scale Greek philanthropy event. If your GLO has a PR rep, he or she can craft a press release to get the story out about the good things your organizations are doing. You definitely want to support a good cause, but in your case, you definitely need to get good PR from doing it.
If you can get some good press coverage about what your orgs are doing and what the school is doing to you, plus build a strong coalition of GLOs and alums, particularly those who have long supported the college, the school may be embaressed enough to back down. I hope so anyway!!!!
Keep us posted on your situation!
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