National fraternity to local fraternity....

[CLG2010]

I know it depends on the school, but couldnt we for instance register as just a student organization, not join IFC, and operate outside their rules? The only downside to that at my school is formal rush, but we could operate an informal rush ourselves at the same time. Our IFC does absolutely nothing for any fraternity on campus anyway. In fact, they do everything they can to restrict fraternities. We don't need them, but can we operate without them?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by CLG2010

I know it depends on the school, but couldnt we for instance register as just a student organization, not join IFC, and operate outside their rules? The only downside to that at my school is formal rush, but we could operate an informal rush ourselves at the same time. Our IFC does absolutely nothing for any fraternity on campus anyway. In fact, they do everything they can to restrict fraternities. We don't need them, but can we operate without them?

If you are just a "student organization" and don't rush with the other fraternities then some people may look at you (not now when everyone knows the deal, but a few years down the road) as an underground or "fake" fraternity.

Your best bet is to go to IFC and student affairs with your house corp and a group of alumni (all age groups, the more diversity and the more old dudes who donate to the school regularly the better) and explain the reasons why you want to break away from your national. Assure them that it is NOT because you don't want to obey your national's rules on hazing or alcohol or to run wild, but because you don't feel that the dues you pay to the national are getting you anything useful and/or because they do nothing to assist you. Assure them that you have older alumni who will kick your asses if you mess up.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Assure them that it is NOT because you don't want to obey your national's rules on hazing or alcohol or to run wild, but because you don't feel that the dues you pay to the national are getting you anything useful and/or because they do nothing to assist you.

Assuming that's the reason they want to return to becoming a local...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Gusteau

Assuming that's the reason they want to return to becoming a local...

Well, if they're too silly to even pretend that it is, and they're going to go into a meeting and bitch for days about their national's dry house policy or something, then that's their own fault and they probably won't manage to carry it off anyway.

[als463]

Originally Posted by CLG2010

I know it depends on the school, but couldnt we for instance register as just a student organization, not join IFC, and operate outside their rules? The only downside to that at my school is formal rush, but we could operate an informal rush ourselves at the same time. Our IFC does absolutely nothing for any fraternity on campus anyway. In fact, they do everything they can to restrict fraternities. We don't need them, but can we operate without them?

Just because you think your school IFC sucks, is that worth giving up national status? If you go local, then once you graduate, you can't be an Alum of the national organization. College is only four years (though a few more for some people). Like SouthernTKE said, why would you do that to yourselves? If my national sorority on my campus said they wanted to go local, I would have taken alumna status and walked out. You need to really think about the implications of your actions for future members or even current members.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by als463

Just because you think your school IFC sucks, is that worth giving up national status?

I don't think that is their primary reason. It's just a sidebar.