Debt owed by a pledge and Collections

[housed98]

I pledged a fraternity for an entire semester, and became a neophyte. The chapter balled me, (for not paying any dues and other reasons... I was about to drop as a neophyte anyway, I didn't have the money).

Now the fraternity is telling me I still owe them $600 of the pledge semesters' $755 (the extra $155 is the initiation fee which I obviously won't be there for).

They have told me that if I don't pay before December 10th, they are sending my debt to a collection agency. I believe that this chapter uses the Omega system by the way... if that makes any difference.

Do they have a right to do this? CAN they do this? I refuse to pay for something that I am not a part of, but I am seriously worried about having my credit ruined by some sleezeball collection agency. What information does this chapter need about me to send my debt to a collection agency? What can I do?