Former UCF Fraternity Taunts University As A Frat With No Rules

[LaneSig]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_7740606.html

"former fraternity at the University of Central Florida is openly taunting the public school's administration and Greek life officials, advertising themselves as a organization not bound by any rules.

The former Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity chapter was closed and had its charter revoked in January for university violations. However, over the past few months, the remaining members have continued to operate as the "Gazoni Family," advertising the organization as a frat with no rules.


Mor said they aren't trying to portray themselves as "rebels" or send a message to the university of disrespect or resentment. "Our product is just simply better," he said."

Last quote is from the president of the organization.

[33girl]

What is the six week moratorium dry period every semester? Are they talking about pledging? Because if so, they are right - dry pledging is hazing.

[Kevin]

This is the risk we've always run when kicking organizations off of campus. We had this happen at my alma mater. The group and their alumni were very together in that they should remain on campus. After a few years, they were let back on, but they never really recovered.

Groups like Lambda Chi Alpha have outstanding expansion teams and if these kids cared anything for their organization, they should have accepted the consequences of their actions and quietly finished their schooling.

This, of course, is a natural response to many of the moves for schools to exert stronger control over Greek Life. They sometimes, I think, forget that our arrangement with the school is something we mutually select.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

What is the six week moratorium dry period every semester? Are they talking about pledging? Because if so, they are right - dry pledging is hazing.

As we've discussed, when it comes to the definition of hazing, YMMV. One of my organization's top chapters has dry pledging for the entire semester and was featured doing so in our international publication. So I would be safe to state for the purposes of Sigma Nu, dry pledging is just fine.

[clemsongirl]

LOL @ "unlimited socials and date functions". They might be able to throw their own events that individual women can go to if they wish, but no sorority will touch them with a 10-foot pole. I imagine they'll have little support from the recognized fraternities on campus, since this sort of advertising makes them look bad in comparison. Also can't imagine that they could participate in any sort of Greek-affiliated philanthropy event either. I don't see them lasting more than a couple years, especially without sororities doing events with them, but I could be wrong.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

As we've discussed, when it comes to the definition of hazing, YMMV. One of my organization's top chapters has dry pledging for the entire semester and was featured doing so in our international publication. So I would be safe to state for the purposes of Sigma Nu, dry pledging is just fine.

People get confused if all the members of the pledge classes are underage. But then they shouldn't be not drinking because they are pledges, they should be not drinking because they are under age. I doubt that the group touted in your national magazine would admit that underage brothers are being served. FWIW, a nonsmoking pledge period would also be hazing.

Anyway back to the main topic... Whether or not the group succeeds largely depends on their position in the social pecking order before they were de recognized, and how important the functions that recognized organizations take part in (homecoming, Greek week etc) are to the campus.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I doubt that the group touted in your national magazine would admit that underage brothers are being served. FWIW, a nonsmoking pledge period would also be hazing.

A nonsmoking pledgeship or nonsmoking pledge period would not be hazing per my fraternity's hazing policy.

[ZetaPhi708.20]

In one of the pictures, I can see Lambda Chi letters being worn.

I wonder what percentage of alumni are actually helping this "fraternity".

I did follow them on Twitter when they were an active chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, for the record.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Kevin

A nonsmoking pledgeship or nonsmoking pledge period would not be hazing per my fraternity's hazing policy.

Not really sure for mine and I'm looking at the National Pledge Standards, need to ask around...

[Tom Earp]

I an sad to say they are/were LXA.

If they think this will help them they are wrong!

Any college student who follows them will gain nothing ever, they will lose. This will haunt them forever.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

A nonsmoking pledgeship or nonsmoking pledge period would not be hazing per my fraternity's hazing policy.

That's f'd up. The next thing is a no carbohydrates or no caffeine pledgeship.

[WhiteRose1912]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That's f'd up. The next thing is a no carbohydrates or no caffeine pledgeship.

This is what I imagine hell to be like.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That's f'd up. The next thing is a no carbohydrates or no caffeine pledgeship.

I suppose why not? Just so long as we're not circling the fat...

Our Oklahoma State chapter has an alcohol free pledgeship which they were lauded for in our national magazine. Here is another fine example of how YMMV when you are discussing what constitutes hazing.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

LOL @ "unlimited socials and date functions". They might be able to throw their own events that individual women can go to if they wish, but no sorority will touch them with a 10-foot pole. I imagine they'll have little support from the recognized fraternities on campus, since this sort of advertising makes them look bad in comparison. Also can't imagine that they could participate in any sort of Greek-affiliated philanthropy event either. I don't see them lasting more than a couple years, especially without sororities doing events with them, but I could be wrong.

My daughter said the exact same thing.

[Firehouse]

I haven't posted in a long time but this issue - knocking fraternities off campus - concerns me. The administration at UCF is known in the state for being the most bullying/authoritarian toward its strong Greek chapters. The culture in the state of Florida is not one that produces an overabundance of 'obedient' undergraduate-age guys. I think it's hilarious that LXA has struck back at UCF in this way, although one of the earlier posters is right: if the sorority girls don't buy in their new group they'll fail in a year or so. But even with the Nazi-like cloud over the system, don't be surprised to see the individual sorority members push back at the University's dictates.
Here's what has happened in the last, say, 20 years. Schools have become more and more willing to pull a quick trigger and get rid of chapters without regard to their alumni support or even whether the actions of a few represent the fraternity as a whole.
One thing that infuriates alumni is the collusion between the nationals and the school. When a chapter or individuals in a chapter misbehaves, very often the discussion about the chapter's future takes place in a room with the alumni standing outside. The discussion goes like this" "There's going to be a 'trial' and your guys are going to be found guilty and sentenced. Now, if you agree to pull out for 5 years, then we'll allow you to come back. if not, then we may never allow you to come back." National fraternities for the most part are more than willing to throw the chapter under the bus in order to protect themselves. We just lost our Sigma Chi chapter here at FSU (I am not a Sig) under exactly those circumstances and their alumni are spitting fire.
I sense a nation-wide rising tide of push-back, against the betrayal of national, against the whimsical dismissal of due process, against the tyranny of bogus Title IX bullying.