|
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?
|