Too Young to Rush/Pledge? (Not yet 18)

aephi alum · #1 10-20-2009, 06:47 PM

I went through NPC rush, rushed and joined a local, and was initiated into the local when I was 17. Of course, a local can set whatever policies it wants.

When my local joined AEPhi, we each had to fill out and sign a pile of forms, including a financial obligation note. The financial obligation note indicated that, if the new member was under 18, a parent had to co-sign. I think this allowed the chapter to pursue the parent for non-payment if the member didn't meet her financial obligations. (I was, of course, over 18 by then.)

So, unless something has changed in the past few years, you can be initiated if you're under 18 as long as at least one of your parents is ok with it.

pearlbubbles · #2 10-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aephi alum

When my local joined AEPhi, we each had to fill out and sign a pile of forms, including a financial obligation note. The financial obligation note indicated that, if the new member was under 18, a parent had to co-sign. I think this allowed the chapter to pursue the parent for non-payment if the member didn't meet her financial obligations. (I was, of course, over 18 by then.)

I know that with our "financial obligation of membership" form, a parent has to sign regardless of a member being under eighteen or not, probably to ensure payment.

knight_shadow · #3 10-21-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearlbubbles

I know that with our "financial obligation of membership" form, a parent has to sign regardless of a member being under eighteen or not, probably to ensure payment.

What happens if the PNM receives no parental support during her college years? Is she not allowed to become a sister?

pearlbubbles · #4 10-21-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

What happens if the PNM receives no parental support during her college years? Is she not allowed to become a sister?

Nope, not at all; there are several girls who do pay for their college by themselves. Yet, I know their parents still had to sign the forms. I'm just assuming the reason for a parental signature is to have a place to acquire payment if the member majorly defaulted payment or something like that.

chitown · #5 10-21-2009, 07:20 PM

I know we had a 17 year old initiate- and as far as I know she didn't have to get any special permission to go through recruitment. Her family lived about 3,000 miles away so I don't know how she would have gotten a signature- I think the school just took it as if she was old enough to be on her own...

MysticCat · #6 10-21-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown

I know we had a 17 year old initiate- and as far as I know she didn't have to get any special permission to go through recruitment. Her family lived about 3,000 miles away so I don't know how she would have gotten a signature- I think the school just took it as if she was old enough to be on her own...

The problem, I think, has to do with the fact that if someone is under 18, they are not legally an adult and therefore may not legally be bound by anything they sign, including financial documents, liability releases or whatever. If something were to go south while new member was still 17, mom and/or dad, could come in claiming that only they could sign legally-binding documents on behalf of the member until he or she turned 18. Mom and dad might also be to claim that new member simply could not join without their permission.

Meanwhile, if things go south after new member turns 18, he might be able to claim that nothing he signed is enforceable because he was a minor.

So, that agreement that new member signed when he was 17 saying he would pay all dues and costs owed, releasing the chapter or organization from liability for certain things, etc. . . . quite possibly unenforceable unless mom or dad signed it too. Not a good scenario from a liability standpoint if new member is, in fact, not legally a member.

As I understand it, that's what was behind our decision to say you have to be 18 to pledge, period.

naraht · #7 10-22-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearlbubbles

Nope, not at all; there are several girls who do pay for their college by themselves. Yet, I know their parents still had to sign the forms. I'm just assuming the reason for a parental signature is to have a place to acquire payment if the member majorly defaulted payment or something like that.

I had a coworker who "graduated" from the foster care systems in one of the cities in Ohio. Given up as an infant, he was wasn't ever adopted. The county that he was in did pay for his tuition to Ohio State. I wonder for a woman in that situation, what the sorority would do with its "require a parent" signature entry.