Difficult question

AlphaFrog · #1 08-21-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I think Fleur de Lis has a great suggestion of starting a young alumnae group.

We talked about that, and we were told that we would not be allowed to have a young alum group. In fact, they told us that no more than a certain number of our girls could be together wearing letters at the same time, because if it LOOKS like a sorority function, than it IS a sorority function. Obvious exceptions were made for those of us who lived in the house.

SydneyK · #2 08-21-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

In fact, they told us that no more than a certain number of our girls could be together wearing letters at the same time, because if it LOOKS like a sorority function, than it IS a sorority function.

Are you serious?!? It sounds like "they" (I'm assuming that's HQ) want it both ways. They want you to follow their rules, but if they drop your chapter, why should you be expected to have to listen?

I'm not trying to dis your sorority, AF. I just really don't understand why they think it's ok to tell people who are no longer collegiates what they can and can't do.

Regardless, I've never heard of HQ not allowing an alum group. Of course, I don't have much experience, so just because I've not heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I guess SP3 should look into what her options really are, as it sounds like even though she's not an active, she's still expected to follow HQ rules.

AlphaFrog · #3 08-21-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I'm not trying to dis your sorority, AF. I just really don't understand why they think it's ok to tell people who are no longer collegiates what they can and can't do.

Yes, it sucked. I understand their concern, though. Say 5 underage "alums" go out drinking together, get into a car accident, and are killed. Legally, even thought the chapter is disbanded, a good lawyer could still argue that it was a sorority function and go after their liabilty insurance.

33girl · #4 08-21-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

We talked about that, and we were told that we would not be allowed to have a young alum group.

As I said before - you were definitely given incorrect info on this and on the letter thing, because Elon was allowed to start an alum chapter after they were closed. I think they got around it because there were some actual graduated alumnae there who joined. As for the letters thing, if they don't want you in letters, they need to terminate your membership. Wearing letters is a privilege of being an alumna and alumnae don't "check up" on what they're all wearing every day.

The "looks like a function" (which I think is bullshit) gets tossed around even if you're NOT wearing letters, so to use this as a reason for you not to wear them is kind of silly.

Xylochick216 · #5 08-21-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

As I said before - you were definitely given incorrect info on this and on the letter thing, because Elon was allowed to start an alum chapter after they were closed. I think they got around it because there were some actual graduated alumnae there who joined.

They definitely wore letters around and still had functions. Not date parties and such, but they had a formal and were very visible on campus.

MaggieXi · #6 08-21-2007, 10:19 AM

I was there when Elon started their Alum chapter. However, the specific GLO in question knew that they were closing prior to our Recruitment in January and that the chapter would be closing at the end of the school year. The chapter did not participate in formal recruitment that year and while I believe it did COB some juniors and seniors, it was with the knowledge that they would be going alum and joining the alum chapter.

Also, the Elon Alum Chapter had a huge presence on the higher up staff level of the university, which may have played a role in getting the alum chapter together so quickly. I also believe that this was the first GLO to ever close at Elon.

33girl · #7 08-21-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieXi

Also, the Elon Alum Chapter had a huge presence on the higher up staff level of the university, which may have played a role in getting the alum chapter together so quickly. I also believe that this was the first GLO to ever close at Elon.

Do you mean the advisors or there were sisters workiing for the university? If it's the latter, that is what I meant - they had graduate alumnae not just undergraduate alumnae.

MaggieXi · #8 08-21-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Do you mean the advisors or there were sisters workiing for the university? If it's the latter, that is what I meant - they had graduate alumnae not just undergraduate alumnae.

A little bit of both. The Director of Admissions was the chapter's advisor (I believe) and also from that specific chapter, there were also graduate alumni from the specific chapter that worked for Elon at that time. I think because of this connection, the graduate alums were working the Campus Panhel and their HQ to for the alum organization for when the chapter closed. I know that after the chapters "official closing" the undergrad alums were still a presence on campus -- they held events, wore letters, etc.

SockPuppet3 · #9 08-21-2007, 03:12 PM

I just want to say thanks to everyone here who has been so nice. The Panhellenic spirit is stronger than I ever knew possible. I honestly feel more love towards NPC than my own sorority right now.

This is probably going to sound like I'm betraying my org, but with recruitment coming up, I'd love to be able to help. Does anyone know if it's possible for someone in my situation to get involved? I can't be a Gamma Chi, but I'd really like to help out in some way. Any thoughts?

Thanks again, everyone. It's been a blessing to have GC to turn to during all this.

SoCalGirl · #10 08-22-2007, 02:59 AM

Maybe talk to Panhellenic about if they need runners or tech support help or whatever you may be good at. Also, you could make treats for the Rho Chis and/or chapters.

AlphaFrog · #11 08-21-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

As I said before - you were definitely given incorrect info on this and on the letter thing, because Elon was allowed to start an alum chapter after they were closed. I think they got around it because there were some actual graduated alumnae there who joined. As for the letters thing, if they don't want you in letters, they need to terminate your membership. Wearing letters is a privilege of being an alumna and alumnae don't "check up" on what they're all wearing every day.

The "looks like a function" (which I think is bullshit) gets tossed around even if you're NOT wearing letters, so to use this as a reason for you not to wear them is kind of silly.

Well... You KNOW where this info came from...