Are Grad. Students allowed to be new members?

FloridaTish · #1 08-19-2009, 11:55 AM

I just had one of our current sisters come to my office and let me know that there is a Grad Student on our campus who is intrested in Greek Life. She is a younger student and VERY intrested, but I wasn't sure what Gamma Phi Beta's policy was on allowing graduate student's to join as new members. Recruitment has not started at our school yet and I don't know what the policy is for the other two sororities on campus, but I just wanted to see if joining as a graduate student is an option. I am one of their advisors and I honestly had never had this come up before...

Any help would be appreciated!

-Stephanie

LAblondeGPhi · #2 08-20-2009, 05:25 PM

I'm 99.9% sure that she would have to be an undergraduate student in order to be eligible for membership. I can't remember off the top of my head if this is an NPC Unanimous Agreement, but it very well might be.

If she's uber interested in being involved, perhaps she can get involved as an advisor-type position and you can point her in the right direction of the local alumnae chapter. If she's still interested after a few months, *perhaps* she would be a good candidate for AI.

I hope that helps!

SmartBlondeGPhB · #3 08-20-2009, 05:51 PM

It should be posted in the Bylaws/Rules in the Member's Only section of our website.

BabyPiNK_FL · #4 08-20-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

I'm 99.9% sure that she would have to be an undergraduate student in order to be eligible for membership. I can't remember off the top of my head if this is an NPC Unanimous Agreement, but it very well might be.

If she's uber interested in being involved, perhaps she can get involved as an advisor-type position and you can point her in the right direction of the local alumnae chapter. If she's still interested after a few months, *perhaps* she would be a good candidate for AI.

I hope that helps!

I'm pretty sure NPC has no rule regarding that because one of my grandbabies is a grad student and she's an amazing member and New Member Director! I also know several other groups on my campus who accept graduate members (from being on Panhellenic and needing to know whether to encourage grad students to rush in '07). Have each org. on campus check their policies so she is aware of her options if she wants to rush. It's usually as simple as a call to nationals if it's not found online as suggested in the post above.

unicorn · #5 08-20-2009, 10:24 PM

I believe BabyPiNK_FL is correct! Here's an old thread which may have some answers. There were a couple groups mentioned which, on an organizational level, may allow graduate students to pledge. I'll go bump it.

FloridaTish · #6 08-21-2009, 09:43 AM

As an AI myself, I am familiar with that process, however, I don't see that as an alternative to joining just because she may not be eligible as a grad student, even if she were interested in Gamma Phi. I would think that there would be much to think about in regards to time commitment, etc...

If she is truly interested in the collegiate sorority experience there is one group I know of on our campus that does take graduate students. I have an email into our RC just so we would be able to give her the correct information, as I would hate to have someone get her hopes up, for something that is just not possible with our organization.

Thanks for your help everyone!