Social Affiliates

[dekeguy]

Anybody know anything about "social affiliates"? I posted this question in a comment to the Honorary Membership thread but no one had any info to offer and I am still curious. My Dad tells me that this used to be a way for people who could not join in the normal way to have at least a semi-official association with a house (not actually a brother, but at least a first cousin). It seems to be a form of limited membership where the "S.A." is not an initiated brother but participates in just about all activities except ritual and voting in chapter. They would pay reduced or nominal dues and kick in to the social fund. I gather it was most often used when two schools were located very close to each other, where one school had a chapter and the other did not, and the schools did not allow cross over memberships, or there was some other good reason why the prospective candidate could not rush and join if given a bid. I did not see this practice as an undergrad but I understand that this option is available in a number of fraternities, my own included under certain circumstances if International HQ approves, or so I am told. Some of my Law School classmates said that they had heard it used to be fairly common but is now not so often encountered as both schools and Nationals tend to allow cross over memberships if the schools are located very close together. Any info appreciated.