need advice..

chicky3829 · #1 01-20-2009, 10:29 PM

yea the dues are that much money.. it would be half that but they forget to mention we have housing dues and stuff to send to nationals.. furnishing fees and all that which doesn't make sense.. i think they are just putting a label on sending them a ton of money because i dont see how we have to pay that much money just to maintain the house.. esp when i dont even live in it..
and to reply to zeta13girl, i don't have a job because i have a full courseload so theres no way i could maintain a job and keep getting the good grades i get.. plus my sorority doesnt understand if u have a job - they expect you to work around wat the sorority requires you to do.. it stinks!

honeychile · #2 01-20-2009, 10:46 PM

Obviously, I can't speak for all sororities, but in a pre-exit interview, you would be offered all sorts of options. Many chapters have a fund for exactly this sort of problem, and many Executive Offices do, too. Please find out about them, before you completely make up your mind. I think you're going to find your chapter and/or alumnae much easier to work with than you imagine.

Also, VandalSquirrel brings up a very good point. When I went through Recruitment, we were advised that our first year's financial obligations would be MUCH higher than upperclassmen. If you're in with upperclassmen, there's a lot of items which the sisters will share, cutting your cost in clothing for various functions, and other economies.

But, if you've already made up your mind, then talk to your Big Sister now. Let her know, and give her a chance to advise you. That's what she's supposed to be there for. Good luck to you.

LucyAnne17 · #3 01-21-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicky3829

yea the dues are that much money.. it would be half that but they forget to mention we have housing dues and stuff to send to nationals.. furnishing fees and all that which doesn't make sense.. i think they are just putting a label on sending them a ton of money because i dont see how we have to pay that much money just to maintain the house.. esp when i dont even live in it..
and to reply to zeta13girl, i don't have a job because i have a full courseload so theres no way i could maintain a job and keep getting the good grades i get.. plus my sorority doesnt understand if u have a job - they expect you to work around wat the sorority requires you to do.. it stinks!

I am confused by this statement. If you have to pay housing dues and all that, isn't it often cheaper to live in the house? Not only is your housing paid for, but ALL of your food as well. Trust me, living in an apartment is a lot more expensive than you think. I don't think a lot of people take into account the fact that when theyre in dorms/a house, its one amount.

You don't have to worry about whether the electricity/gas/cable/water/trash/internet/phone bill is going to be outrageous this month. And food prices are insane right now. You will easily spend 200-300 a MONTH on food alone.

Not to mention the TIME that you save by living in a house and not having to worry about making food, paying these bills, etc. It gives you that much more time for a part time job. You said you can't make all that money in the summer to pay dues, but what about working part time during the year too? Even 10 hours a week makes a huge difference.

AND- it is completely possible to have a job, be in a sorority, and get a 4.0. I've seen it done MANY TIMES. I myself work 30 hours a week, maintain a 3.5 for an academic scholarship, and pay for everything except tuition on my own. I am telling you, if you want it bad enough- it's possible.

I REALLY think you need to sit down with your advisers, e-board, whoever, ASAP, and explain to them your situation. MAKE them give you an exact budget- every chapter should have this. (on a side note, do you know if your chapter assesses? sp?) Then sit down and look at rents for your area, along will average bill prices. I'd be willing to bet you find its a better deal to live in the house.

You've gotten a lot of good advice here- so listen to it. There is always a way for you to stay involved and if you simply can't find one- obviously you don't really care as much about the organization as you claim.

epchick · #4 01-21-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyAnne17

I am confused by this statement. If you have to pay housing dues and all that, isn't it often cheaper to live in the house?

When I was an active we had to pay "housing dues" but we didn't have a house. It was suppose to go to a fund that would eventually buy a house, but it isn't like I (or any of my sisters) would see that money come to fruition.

maybe that is what chicky is talking about?

LucyAnne17 · #5 01-21-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

When I was an active we had to pay "housing dues" but we didn't have a house. It was suppose to go to a fund that would eventually buy a house, but it isn't like I (or any of my sisters) would see that money come to fruition.

maybe that is what chicky is talking about?

ugh that would be frustrating...did they ever end up getting a house?

epchick · #6 01-21-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyAnne17

ugh that would be frustrating...did they ever end up getting a house?

No and from my understand they won't be getting a house in the near future.

ASTalumna06 · #7 01-21-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

When I was an active we had to pay "housing dues" but we didn't have a house. It was suppose to go to a fund that would eventually buy a house, but it isn't like I (or any of my sisters) would see that money come to fruition.

maybe that is what chicky is talking about?

My chapter is currently doing the same thing. We still don't have a house, but a portion of dues goes toward Housing, and a percentage of all fundraisers does, also.

violetpretty · #8 01-21-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicky3829

yea the dues are that much money.. it would be half that but they forget to mention we have housing dues and stuff to send to nationals.. furnishing fees and all that which doesn't make sense.. i think they are just putting a label on sending them a ton of money because i dont see how we have to pay that much money just to maintain the house.. esp when i dont even live in it..
and to reply to zeta13girl, i don't have a job because i have a full courseload so theres no way i could maintain a job and keep getting the good grades i get.. plus my sorority doesnt understand if u have a job - they expect you to work around wat the sorority requires you to do.. it stinks!

What exactly is included in the $800? Is that just what you paid your first semester? Between dues, a parlor fee, a one-time housing and furnishing fee, badge fee, and other one-time National fees, $800 sounds on par for your first semester total IF your chapter dues are $400-450. If you live in the house, all you will have to pay are your chapter dues, plus anything not included (t-shirts, socials, etc. if your chapter does not have all-inclusive dues).

Or, do you mean that dues plus all the "extras" (t-shirts, socials, etc) totaled $800? Or did your chapter flat out lie about your chapter dues being $400-450?