Theta Chi at Duke Going Local

[tallgreekalum]

They often do have alumni support.

Originally Posted by TSteven

After posting yesterday, I realized that just because the inter/national is re-colonizing, it does not mean that a local group may also exist. So this morning, I checked both Sewanee's and Virginia's Greek Life websites and yep, both The Phi Society of 1883 (at Sewanee) and Phi Society (at Virginia) are recognized by the university (IFC). I also checked Vanderbilt's and came across this. (Note: I didn't find any reference to "Sigma Society" at any of the colleges.)

"This is a complete list [all are NIC, NPHC and FLA member fraternities] of all of the recognized fraternities at Vanderbilt University. As you meet students on campus and make your decision about joining a Greek organization, it is important that you consider membership only in the groups listed above. Both Sigma Nu and Phi Delta Theta will be recolonizing on our campus this year. It is important to understand that only representatives from those national organizations will be extending invitations for membership in the new group."

While no "locals" were listed on the Vanderbilt site, it does seem to imply that there *might* be unrecognized or underground "local" groups.

Now without university or Greek Life (IFC) support or recognition, and even with alumni support, how do these disaffiliated groups survive? Or perhaps another way to ask this might be "how well" do they survive? Especially when an "official" and recognized chapter of the fraternity (that the group disaffiliated from) is on campus? As an example, from the article posted at the start of the thread: "...unrecognized groups also cannot hold official events with recognized greek organizations." I don't think that helps with rush.

[Tom Earp]

It actually never ceases to amaze me when a Chapter thinks that they are bigger than the whole.

They feel that they are better than the total Fraternity?

They do not agree with the policys that are set forth not just by their National, but by the members who comprise the General Fraternity, their own Brothers.

Maybe a good analogy would be, being on an ocean liner or a row boat.

So a whoopie school like *Dook* is special, there is a bigger world out there for them to see.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by tallgreekalum

They often do have alumni support.

I don't doubt that. But when a chapter of the IFC/NIC fraternity is also on campus, I would venture to guess that the alumni support might very well be diluted. Some will be loyal to the disaffiliated group, others to the IFC/NIC chapter, and others to both. Given the resources that the national can also pour into the chapter, it seems that the disaffiliated group might be perceived to be at a disadvantage.

Now in addition to alumni support, what are the advantages - real or perceived - in joining a disaffiliated group of ABC (The A Society) that is not recognized by the campus when there is an active ABC chapter - that is recognized by the campus - on said campus? And what are the disadvantages - real or perceived?