How is deactivating viewed on your campus?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

One of my friends in another fraternity told me that they had a huge problem with this. Members of their chapter would activate and de-activate monthly, depending on their finances. Literally, they would say: "I can't afford dues this month, I'm going inactive. I'll go active again next month."

Our chapter made a rule: If you are going inactive, it's for the whole semester. But, unless you drop out of school, you still owe us the dues for the entire semester. Do you need a payment plan?

Wow, that's not right...membership shouldn't be a semester-to-semester thing. Gamma Phi Beta doesn't have an "inactive" status - all members must be active members. Some girls in my chapter would try to "go inactive" every once in a while and then have to be told, "Sorry, there is no 'inactive,' only active or resigned membership." When forced with that scenario, most chose to stay active rather than completely resign membership, especially seniors who seemed to think they could disappear their last year and get away with it.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Wow, that's not right...membership shouldn't be a semester-to-semester thing.

I agree. Tri Sigma does have an inactive status, but you have to request it through HQ and it is only granted one semester. If you need it for additional semesters, you have to re-apply and you can only be inactive for a total of one year. Girls in my chapter usually request it when they want to study abroad or are doing an internship or student teaching. Once your year is up, you either return to being active, take 5th yr alumna status (if eligible) or terminate. There are no other options.

It helps because girls can't just say "I'm too busy this semester, I'm going inactive" since it's something that needs to be requested in advance and you need to have a valid reason (medical, academic, severe financial hardship etc).

We also have 5th year alumna status, but you of course have to be a 5th year student. That's also totally different from going inactive since you will no longer be a collegian. That also needs to be applied for in advance. Some girls come to school for 5th yr, decide they don't want to be active anymore, and want to go alumna status, but end up VERY MAD when they realize that in order to go 5th yr alumna, you needed to submit the form before September.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Wow, that's not right...membership shouldn't be a semester-to-semester thing. Gamma Phi Beta doesn't have an "inactive" status - all members must be active members. Some girls in my chapter would try to "go inactive" every once in a while and then have to be told, "Sorry, there is no 'inactive,' only active or resigned membership." When forced with that scenario, most chose to stay active rather than completely resign membership, especially seniors who seemed to think they could disappear their last year and get away with it.

Wow indeed!

With all due respect, why should your or any other GLO policies be applicable to others GLOs? If it works for Sigma Chi Fraternity - and works well I might add - who are you to question it?

For what it is worth, Sigma Chi Fraternity believes that membership is for life. As such, we don't believe in terminating a membership "right off the bat" simply because someone may not be able to pay their dues for a semester.