Quote:
Originally posted by adpiucf
Rather than trying to fight the university on every initiative they introduce-- remember, they're trying to keep the student body balanced and healthy-- why not form a Greek panel that works with the dean and his office to communicate ideas and educate fellow Greeks on the dean's mission and strategic plan for student activties.
Trying to understand where he's coming from and communicating that you understand him will help your case-- and open him to the possibility of understanding you.
The dean isn't making arbitrary decisions to run your chapter into the ground-- he is looking out for the best interests of the students. So go to him as a student group, and get to know where he's coming from. Invite him into a dialogue. When you make allies, your allies protect your interests.
Building this relationship takes time. But ultimately, when you go through these channels, you will earn respect and the right to be heard-- which means you have the opportunity to present your case and for your goal to succeed.
ETA: The alternative is to make a loud fuss, protest and make your organization appear to be a bunch of whiners-- generating negative publicity and portraying Greeks in the media once more as whining children. Go into this with the intention that you want to grow your negotiation skills-- something that will be useful once college is a fondly fading memory.
|
No he is trying to kill it. He is strongly against the greek system. Maybe it is different in your situation but not here.
Also I contacted Judge Mitch Crane, a renouned fraternal law expert, who happens to be an alum of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Here is what he typed:
my question:
Brother Crane, I found your contact on your website after searching
for fraternal law on the internet. My chapter, Michigan Kappa, and
actually the entire Greek system here at Grand Valley State University
could use a little bit of clarification on some laws.
The Dean of Students has already imposed on year of deferred rush
which has drastically affected the membership throughout the system.
This was done as a punishment because they feel as if we are not
meeting expectations. Well, rumor of another deferred rush is in the
mix with IFC. We are a public school and from what I have heard a
deferred rush violates a civil law.
Can you please offer any advice to me and my chapter so that it can be
presented at IFC. I am a graduating senior, previous president, and
it would pain me to see this chapter fall to the wayside of
administration
His response
Brother Wild:
There are many incorrect perceptions as to what a public institution can and cannot do.
The US Supreme Court established fifty years ago the Freedom of Association. It cam from a realistic understanding that the basic right of Free Speech and to Assemble could not operate without a right to associate.
This basically means that a public institution cannot prohibit the right of students to associate with whom they please. They also cannot refuse to "recognize" an organization merely because they do not like it or agree with its purposes.
HOWEVER, fraternities and sororities have been given special privileges by congress-including the right to maintain a single-sex status. These protections come because it was recognized that fraternal organizations had greater purposes, standards, etc.
In order to keep these rights there is an expectation that we keep what makes us special- developing leaders, service, ritual, etc...
Public institutions have the right to set reasonable standards for recognition, etc. If it can be shown that those we rush ( freshmen ) do poorly academically, are prone to risk management violations or violations of law, etc...there is nothing that would prevent a public institution from deferring that rushing.
Of course, they cannot defer rush for all just because some are a problem. The more prudent course would be to defer rush for those chapters that fall below minimum standards and allow the others to rush as usual.
I hope that helps clarify what I believe is the current law.
Mitch Crane