Quote:
Originally Posted by Elephant Walk
I know of someone who did the maximum worst thing they could possibly do legally and not receive prison time(in some states, they would seriously be looking at three years of hard time). They were not kicked out due to their membership. However, as a pledge, the toleration is much lower and they would have been kicked out certainly. (p.s. the person miiiiiight have been me)
Getting a bid, it's almost a matter of whether or not the fraternity hears about it (and to some degree, even while pledging). As far as I can recall, we don't do a criminal background check on these guys.
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I know we never did background checks. Maybe national office does after the info is turned in, but in 8 years as an active/advisor I never heard of anyone having their pledgeship revoked over a misdemeanor offense- DWI included- and I knew of more than one situation where a pledge got a DWI (not my chapter necessarily.)
I see two issues here worth considering nathan55, and in offering the below advice I am not making any assumptions about what your drinking plans are going to be in the near future. There are plenty of guys in fraternities who do not drink for a variety of reasons, and pledging does not- in my experience and opinion- encourage or force drinking. GDIs off at college for the first time are just as prone to getting themselves in trouble, so on that score you will determine your own fate whether you rush or not.
1. Waiting to spring or next fall is going to really hurt your options when it comes to rush. Besides, at big southern schools you really want to pledge in the fall during football season. Spring pledging is just not the same. On this score, if your parents are okay with it- yes, rush.
2. The legal considerations. Much good advice so far. One more thing for you to check out- and might be worth talking to your attorney about this. It varies by state and probably by the nature of the offense- but I am aware of situations where probation terms include language where the person on probation agrees to not associate with other individuals breaking the law- especially in ways pertinent to the offense for which that individual is serving probation in the first place.
What you need to find out is how much at risk you are if you are sober at a party where other underage people are drinking and that party gets busted with someone checking your ID and running it through the system since they are doing a rundown on everyone there, not just the drunk ones- just to give an example. Low chances of trouble? I would guess so. But if something like that could happen, best you find out now what it could mean for you.
Hybrid Mode
