GreekChat.com Forums
Celebrating 25 Years of GreekChat!

Go Back   GreekChat.com Forums > Recruitment > Fraternity Recruitment
Register FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Fraternity Recruitment Recruitment event ideas, membership retention, publicity, recruitment policies, etc.

» GC Stats
Members: 326,151
Threads: 115,590
Posts: 2,200,407
Welcome to our newest member, 420Greek
» Online Users: 846
0 members and 846 guests
No Members online
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-15-2019, 09:41 AM
ladbroke ladbroke is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Ohio State Fraternity Rush - On or Off Campus

Hello all - a newbie here.

I am an OSU grad, where I was a member of a fraternity. I had a fantastic experience, tons of fun and made lifelong friends.

I am now the father of an 18 year old who has decided to go through recruitment. And it is interesting how much the OSU Greek system has changed. When I went through rush was formal (like sorority rush) - we all visited each house and got narrowed down on successive days. (I was even a Rho Chi). Now it seems much more free form and the guys just drop in and out to various events at will.

The other big change of course has been the crackdown on alcohol and hazing. In my day it was pretty much anything goes (and looking back I cringe at some of the stuff that went on) so now as a parent I feel better about my son going Greek knowing there is more control and sense around what the fraternities get up to.

But there is also now the phenomenon of "official" fraternities and "underground" ones. My son is torn - he has made some friends at a couple of the big underground houses and expects a bid and likes the fact that there are fewer rules - but is worried that they might fall apart a few years down the line and he won't have a great fraternity experience like I did. For my part, I would hugely prefer that he goes official - for my own peace of mind for his safety but also for the guarantee it brings around stability and post-grad benefits. (My chapter is still official, but recolonised a few years back after some extreme goings-on and seems like a really different place from when I was there).

Does anyone have any thoughts, advice or anecdotes around on- or off campus fraternities? Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-15-2019, 10:11 AM
LaneSig LaneSig is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: southern Missouri
Posts: 4,866
Here's what your son needs to understand about the "underground" fraternity: if he is initiated into the group, he is not a member of that inter/national organization.

He can walk around saying "I'm a member of Omega Chi Delta" all he wants; but he is not a member. Their national organization does not and will not recognize him as being a member. In fact, depending on the organization, if they have enough evidence the organization can bring a lawsuit against him and the other "members" for misrepresenting themselves as members, using their symbols, etc.

The above might sound harsh or that I'm exaggerating, but I have seen this happen in my own organization and with others. Tell him to avoid the underground groups like the plague.

He also needs to know that the underground groups can not participate in Homecoming, any Greek week events, and mixers/pairs with sororities (I believe). Having less rules and (probably) paying less dues sounds fun, but it comes with restrictions.

Good luck to him. Let us know how it works out.
__________________
Sigma Chi. Friendship, Justice, and Learning since 1855.

I'll support the RedWolves, but in my heart I'll always be an ASU Indian. Go Tribe! (1931-2008)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-15-2019, 10:21 AM
IrishLake IrishLake is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: What's round on the ends and high in the middle?
Posts: 3,040
As a central Ohio resident, and close friend of several sorority advisors at OSU (I advise a different Theta chapter...). Keep in mind this is coming from a sorority perspective.

This is a no brainer. He has to go to a legit house. "Underground" houses aren't recognized by their Nationals. They rarely survive more than a couple of years, especially once the legit members have graduated. He will not EVER be able to participate as an alum. He won't ever be able to list his membership on a resume. He won't ever be able to meet a true member from a different chapter and say "Oh hey brother, I was unofficially initiated at the underground chapter of XYZ at Ohio State" without sounding like a fool. He won't ever be able to go to a national convention. And if/when his chapter is recolonized in 4-5 years? He won't be a member and won't be involved in any way, shape, or form. He will not be welcome in that new, legit, brotherhood on homecoming weekends, reunions, etc.

Plus, if you're footing the bill for his fraternity membership, there is no accountability for anything, including dues. I would NOT be ok with not knowing how the money I'm sending for my child is being spent. Especially since more than one of those off campus frats is well known for their drug use and other criminal activity. He's really ok with being put in that situation where HE could take the fall for his "brother's" illegal actions? Where HE could be the one put in a horrible situation where he has to chose between protecting a "brother" or doing what's right?


I'm a parent of a teenager. If he paid for his own membership, I wouldn't have a say. But if I'm paying... bet your ass I have a say. And I would NOT be paying for an underground group.

Legitimate members still have that normal fraternity experience. There's still parties and blocks. They still have a good time and a good brotherhood and enjoy a lifetime of membership. There is zero benefit of being a member of an off campus/underground frat.
__________________
KAQ - 1870
With twin stars and kites above.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-15-2019, 11:07 AM
PGD-GRAD PGD-GRAD is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,580
^^^The above posters know of what they speak. As a 20+ year advisor to a fraternity chapter in Indiana, PLEASE discourage him from going to an “off-campus” house. He will NOT ever be a member of the National they allegedly represent. He will not ever be able to be a part of campus-sanctioned events: homecoming, charity events, campus Greek awards.
They advertise NO RULES and NOBODY to sanction or oversee our parties. What they also DON’T have is any insurance or back-up from National Hdqtrs. What they think unencumbers them also put them in peril for criminal charges and lawsuits.

They’ve obviously flattered him...perhaps you can get him to see reality. Do you perhaps have a chapter brother your age who might appeal to him on a different level? Sometimes kids will listen to a non-parent adult.

Good luck!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-15-2019, 11:30 AM
Kevin Kevin is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 18,656
Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishLake View Post
"Underground" houses aren't recognized by their Nationals. They rarely survive more than a couple of years, especially once the legit members have graduated.
This is not always the case. In some instances, recently at UM, for example, fraternities have chosen to disaffiliate with the school because of what they perceive are unreasonable policies towards Greek Life. These organizations are still recognized by their respective HQs, they have for the most part not shown any tendency to be high risk or to haze. They just, very reasonably, in my opinion, think school administrators have gone over the top in their attempts to control Greek Life. So your kid is going to have to look into these things. It should be readily ascertainable from the national organization's website whether a given chapter is in good standing.
__________________
SN -SINCE 1869-
"EXCELLING WITH HONOR"
S N E T T
Mu Tau 5, Central Oklahoma
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-15-2019, 12:04 PM
IrishLake IrishLake is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: What's round on the ends and high in the middle?
Posts: 3,040
I think Michigan is a different breed. They didn't have their chapters revoked by their Nationals or the college. Considering they still are considered active, legit chapters in good standing by their nationals and are therefore not "underground." This is not at all like what's going on at OSU.

Michigan now has GLOs like Georgetown and Santa Clara do, and previously Harvard.
__________________
KAQ - 1870
With twin stars and kites above.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-15-2019, 12:07 PM
Kevin Kevin is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Posts: 18,656
I'll defer to you on tOSU. Folks use this Board for reference material, so I think it's important that when you say underground fraternities at tOSU are not recognized, that some UM student doesn't take a good look at off-campus IFC groups because he thinks that is universally true.
__________________
SN -SINCE 1869-
"EXCELLING WITH HONOR"
S N E T T
Mu Tau 5, Central Oklahoma
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-15-2019, 12:17 PM
IrishLake IrishLake is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: What's round on the ends and high in the middle?
Posts: 3,040
Gotcha. I can respect that.
__________________
KAQ - 1870
With twin stars and kites above.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-15-2019, 01:37 PM
33girl 33girl is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hotel Oceanview
Posts: 34,511
Because I am nebby, I looked at the 4 fraternities that are not recognized by OSU and checked out their websites.

TKE - not an active chapter per their national website
SAM - not an active chapter per their national website
AEPi - their national website lists a “City of Columbus” active collegiate chapter with the ETA designation, which tells me the chapter is recognized by the international fraternity HQ but not by the school
Phi Kappa Psi - their website chapter locator doesn’t work correctly so I couldn’t tell what their National situation is.

Hope that is helpful.
__________________
It is all 33girl's fault. ~DrPhil
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-15-2019, 02:28 PM
Rod D Rod D is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 110
I'm with Kevin. It's important to define the terms these days.

Underground -- secret and unrecognized by anyone.
Off campus -- recognized by the university, just not big enough to the point that they have a house on "greek row."
Unaffiliated -- this is the Michigan situation. They are not recognized by the university but have their own IFC and are part of the national chapter.

To me, you want to find the most stable situation you can. Underground would be a no -- unless I formed my own "underground frat" with my buds. ITK
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-15-2019, 02:54 PM
ASTalumna06 ASTalumna06 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 6,290
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGD-GRAD View Post
They’ve obviously flattered him...perhaps you can get him to see reality. Do you perhaps have a chapter brother your age who might appeal to him on a different level? Sometimes kids will listen to a non-parent adult.
Or simply have him read this thread
__________________
I believe in the values of friendship and fidelity to purpose

@~/~~~~
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-17-2019, 07:42 AM
ladbroke ladbroke is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Everyone - thank you so much for all the sound advice. Really appreciated. My son has read all this. He is a sensible person and is planning to go "official". He is pretty sure where he wants to go - not my chapter, which he did give a chance to, but one that is a better fit for him and where he has some friends already. His sister, also in a GLO, has been advising too. (Her chapter is on social probation for mixing with the undergrounds) Huge sigh of relief. I hope other kids who might be tempted by the rock and roll idea of an underground fraternity read this thread. Thanks again.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
rush at Ohio State 2019 tennesseemom Sorority Recruitment 4 02-14-2019 08:39 PM
Ohio State fraternity under investigation-Beta Theta Pi SOM Risk Management - Hazing & etc. 2 04-20-2012 08:44 AM
Shooting on Ohio State's campus TPA85 News & Politics 3 03-10-2010 03:01 AM
Ques promote fitness on Ohio State campus. Wolfman Omega Psi Phi 1 02-14-2009 12:53 PM
Ohio State Rush? PhoenixAzul Recruitment 4 09-23-2005 03:05 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:23 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.