Question about alum status

[sparkle57]

Hey Ladies,
I just have a quick question. I was a theta last year but ended up switching schools to another school in another city which does not have a theta chapter (or any sororities at all for that matter). I contacted the new president of my chapter (who also happens to be my big sister) and she told me that since I never completed a degree (or four years) at my original school I can never become an alum. but then I was talking to another sister and she said that once you have been inactive for more than a year you are automatically an alum. I was wondering if any ofyou had any information for me? I would really appreciate it! thanks.

[Taualumna]

[hijack]I'd say that you call or email your IHQ for information. [/hijack]

[UCFStefanie]

Contact Headquarters. It is possible to go alum.

[Janerz222]

hey, all. Did you know you have access to the Fraternity laws online, which makes confirming this stuff easy?! (And, it's REALLY important for people to confirm questions like this for themselves. Unfortunately, sometimes our chapter officers and advisers misunderstand policy and procedures and the individual member doesn't know to confirm it. This is especially important with any kind of inactivity, etc.)

In Thetas Online (once you've logged in), go to Theta Manuals, then click on Constitution and Bylaws (in either HTML or PDF).

I believe our Bylaws, Article I, Section 1. addresses your situation:

3. Unaffiliated Members

A member in attendance on any campus where she is not affiliated with a college chapter of the Fraternity is an unaffiliated college member.

Be sure that Theta HQ has your current mailing address so you can stay in the loop. Is there an alumnae chapter near you? I'm sure you would be welcome to participate, and they'd be glad to know you're around.

You will be an alumna when you finish your undergraduate program (or leave school). If you are unsure of anything, please contact HQ or email the CDP for either your district of initiation or your current district (if they are different).

If you've been initiated and left your chapter of initiation without any outstanding dues, you are Theta!

[kaokite]

To add a little bit to what was previously posted, you will want to make doubly sure that you are 100% up to date with the finances at your original chapter and that they take you off the roster with HQ.

I've had cases where the member withdrew from school, but the chapter never takes her off the books & out of the finance computer, then bills her and then later tries to terminate her for financial delinquency 'cause no one on the finance committee remembers what happened to her.

Another item that is sometimes forgotten is facility fees. If you leave your college/university, you must pay off your full facility fee committment. Chapters have been known to forget this until the bill comes from the corporation. And then you get socked with a surprise bill (or worse, they try to find you, can't and then send you in to HQ for membership termination.. )

Ladies, I cannot stress to you enough the importance of keeping HQ up to date with your address!!

oh, and back to the topic.. if you go to the bylaws online, you will want to reference bylaws, article one, section 1, B. that section defines an alumna member.