UCLA De-Recognizes Sigma Chi

[exlurker]

UCLA has withdrawn recognition of Sigma Chi. The university declined to give reasons, according to the student paper. The president of the local chapter is reported as saying the chapter will continue to be recognized by Sigma Chi national.

Article:

http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/...s.asp?id=28275

Not giving a reason seems overly secretive to me, but I have heard that the whole state of California can be strange . Seriously, it certainly leaves the student body / the public in the dark.

[CASIGKAP]

Don't take it personally. I live in California but I don't go to UCLA yet it seems that sometimes things are done in a strange way. We don't find things out until after the fact.

Also, I have noticed that while NPC is strong in schools here, there seems to be some organizational problems with IFC.
That's just my opinion.

[chideltjen]

Originally posted by exlurker
Not giving a reason seems overly secretive to me, but I have heard that the whole state of California can be strange .

Of course we are strange. We brought you 3 different shows of Sorority/Fraternity Life.

I dunno if being secretive is a good idea though. It seems to fuel more rumours than anything. At least that is what it did over here.

[TriDeltaGal]

Actually, in the article it states that they were penalized for having the "Sorority Keg-Off" during Derby Days. It was held as an official activity part of Derby Days. I was at the function which was held in an apartment complex, not on Sigma Chi property. However, combined with the prevailing anti-Greek sentiment at UCLA and the huge size of the event on a weekday, it only took one of the many non-affiliated students living in this apartment complex to make a compliant which lead to this.

I'm sorry to see Sigma Chi losing UCLA recognition...I always liked them, they are an awesome bunch of guys.

[Firehouse]

Glad to see the national fraternity backing their boys. That's a refreshing change. Most nationals cut & run at the first whine of any self-important administrator.

[Rudey]

I was under the impression that this would spell disaster for a chapter at UCLA even if the HQ kept the recognition.

Would a certain Tri Delt tell us?

I thought no chapters could associate with them and other methods.

I personally understand how they can survive and do well with rush without the hindrance of stupid IFC policies but it's associating with sororities and other chapters which will hurt.

Firehouse have you seen any chapters that do well given restrictions beyond those on rush?

-Rudey

[queequek]

UCLA doesn't like the Greek Life anyway. Our Psi Deut Charge was suspended earlier this year as well

[TriDeltaGal]

Originally posted by Rudey
I was under the impression that this would spell disaster for a chapter at UCLA even if the HQ kept the recognition.

Would a certain Tri Delt tell us?

I thought no chapters could associate with them and other methods.

-Rudey

Another fraternity a couple of years ago lost, I believe, both national and university recognition but continued to have events with fraternities and sororities under a different name (their greek name's first letters). I think it did affect numbers wise for a while but the house decided to semi-affiliate with another fraternity who had left years before. However, I don't think that was really working for them, but I am no longer on campus since graduating. This was a very strong chapter just as Sigma Chi is. However, I don't think that this outcome will happen to Sigma Chi. I think the downfall of the other house was the loss of their name and house, and thus their presense and position on the row. But Sigma Chi will not have these problems because nationals owns their house and are still being allowed to keep their name.
As for events with sororities, I don't believe this will be a problem either. They could still have "unofficial" events with sororities and "4-ways" which are not really sanctioned by UCLA anyway.

I really think this situation blows quite frankly. Sigma Chi was one of the strongest and most well-rounded fraternities at UCLA and the only one who took their philanthopy seriously. I mean they went all out for Derby Days and really promoted what the events were raising money for.
This is just another example of UCLA slowly trying to kill the Greek system but luckily I don't think that the alumni will ever allow this to happen (knock on wood)... I mean Anderson (as in UCLA Anderson School of Business) was greek here and only one of the many examples of backing behind the system and I can guarantee UCLA doesn't want to lose their money.

Hope that helps, Rudey!

[LAKDgirl]

UCLA does have a strong anti-greek attitude, and have been cracking down a lot on the greek system. I do believe that there is another fraternity who lost its recognition with UCLA, but is reapplying this coming fall. Sigma Chi will also reapply this fall for recognition. I doubt that Sigma Chi will be like the other house that TriDeltaGal mentioned because it was mostly involved with an unfortunate event, but Sigma Chi still has a full social calendar. They are a great guys, and it will soon be over with.

[Firehouse]

Your question about whether some fraternities continue to do well under restrictions other than rush, the answer is yes, and several other respondants here have already indicated that. Your instincts are right: loss of rush is the killer. Any good fraternity that continues to rush quality and numbers - whether officially recognized or not - can prosper. The top women will always gravitate toward the top men, and vice versa. The key seems to be whether or not the fraternity itself is strong, has quality membership and adequate internal discipline. One of the eternal truths about fraternity success is that you can survive nearly any loss - housing, intramurals, social calendar - except the quality of your membership. Quality of membership depends entirely on rush. If you understand and can control your rush, then you can achieve anything, defeat anyone. I know rush; I understand its mechanics. Let me cite you an example that you have seen, I'm sure. Versions of this same story are often played out all over the country. A top tier fraternity loses recognition and has to close operations for a year, two years or more. When they come back to campus, even if there are no original members left in the group, they almost immediately regain their top tier status and soon it is as if they never left. SAE at Alabama, Kappa Sig at LSU, Pikes at Florida State, Sigma Chi at Southern Cal (and now likely Sigma Chi at UCLA), Delts at Florida, and SAE at Kentucky (the alumni took advantage of a two-year suspension to build a $7 million house to welcome their return) are a few of the most obvious samples.
The key, always, is rush and rush menas a combination of mechanical knowledge and a solid VISION of who they are and are supposed to be. The great fraternities have that.
So...the answer to your question is: yes, a suspended or de-recognized chapter can flourish and prosper, providing it's already a decent fraternity and not a bunch of idiots who are going to continue to cause the sort of trouble that got them suspended in the first place.

[madmax]

Originally posted by Firehouse
Your question about whether some fraternities continue to do well under restrictions other than rush, the answer is yes, and several other respondants here have already indicated that. Your instincts are right: loss of rush is the killer. Any good fraternity that continues to rush quality and numbers - whether officially recognized or not - can prosper. The top women will always gravitate toward the top men, and vice versa. The key seems to be whether or not the fraternity itself is strong, has quality membership and adequate internal discipline. One of the eternal truths about fraternity success is that you can survive nearly any loss - housing, intramurals, social calendar - except the quality of your membership. Quality of membership depends entirely on rush. If you understand and can control your rush, then you can achieve anything, defeat anyone. I know rush; I understand its mechanics. Let me cite you an example that you have seen, I'm sure. Versions of this same story are often played out all over the country. A top tier fraternity loses recognition and has to close operations for a year, two years or more. When they come back to campus, even if there are no original members left in the group, they almost immediately regain their top tier status and soon it is as if they never left. SAE at Alabama, Kappa Sig at LSU, Pikes at Florida State, Sigma Chi at Southern Cal (and now likely Sigma Chi at UCLA), Delts at Florida, and SAE at Kentucky (the alumni took advantage of a two-year suspension to build a $7 million house to welcome their return) are a few of the most obvious samples.
The key, always, is rush and rush menas a combination of mechanical knowledge and a solid VISION of who they are and are supposed to be. The great fraternities have that.
So...the answer to your question is: yes, a suspended or de-recognized chapter can flourish and prosper, providing it's already a decent fraternity and not a bunch of idiots who are going to continue to cause the sort of trouble that got them suspended in the first place.

Those are the exception to the rule. You listed a handful out of hundreds or maybe thousands.

SAE at Penn State for example. They lost recognition because they didn't turn over all the money they raised at the PSU dance marathon. They were still recongized by their national and they owned their house. PSU then went to the town and the town drafted a law that only permits university recognized chapters to live in houses zoned as fraternities. The new law prevented SAE from living in a house that they owned. University of Delaware and the town of Dover did the same thing to TKE at UD.

[TSteven]

I would venture to guess that the reason Delta Eta Chapter at UCLA was not suspended by Sigma Chi is because the chapter is not in violation of the Fraternity's alcohol and drug policy.

The good news for Delta Eta is that the chapter has been working with UCLA and should be reevaluated by fall. And if all goes well, recognized by UCLA.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by Firehouse
SAE at Kentucky (the alumni took advantage of a two-year suspension to build a $7 million house to welcome their return).

The E's have some very wealthy alumni. Their house at UK is amazing.

[Firehouse]

I'd respectfully disagree with you and say that the strong returning to strength and the weak returning to form is indeed the rule rather than the exception. I doubt that "thousands" of greek chapters are being thrown off campuses today, or even hundreds as you say. The 1990s were another down cycle for greeks (just as the 1980s were big - it seems to run in decades) but the last few years seen a huge upsurge in membership.
I can't address the SAE at Penn State issue because I'm not familiar with the chapter. I do know it's an old, strong chapter but I don't know how they stand there recently. My way-way-out-of-date info on Penn State would be: Beta Theta Pi, FIJI, Phi Delt, maybe Sigma Pi, Chi Phi, KDP...sorry, it's been too long since I was there. I remmebr SAE having a beautiful house, but I don't remember them being solidly reputed in thetop 10% of the system. It only works (returning to power) if you have a great chapter to begin with.
I'm going to be interested to see what happens to SAE at LSU. Over the last 100 years I'd say Kappa Sig, KA, Sigma Chi and SAE were the honchos in the top tier at LSU. If SAE starts back strong with big numbers, they'll return to power. But they're going to need a competitive house, and big numbers right away. That's not what I'm hearing. But it's interesting to watch. Max, are you a Sigma Nu?

[TSteven]

I tend to agree with Firehouse here that strong chapters return to positions of strength.

While many things may factor into how and why, my guess is that the key may very well be alumni support. From what I've noticed, alumni support is strong with "strong" chapters. And with good alumni support, a chapter is better able to "weather" the bad years and come back as they were.

For example. I'd say over the past twenty years or so, every "strong" chapter at UK has had some sort of issue. Either suspended, social probation, house condemned, renovations etc. All have good alumni support and have come back strong. Granted, some may not be at the very top of the so called "pecking order" as before, but they are strong.