Recently the Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter at the University of Central Florida had its charter revoked earlier this year and its affiliation with the University is no longer recognized. In a seemingly "fratty" act of defiance, a group of members have banded together and labeled themselves as a fraternity with no rules called the "Gazoni Family." The rebranding of their organization has drawn criticism from higher education professionals and Greek professionals across the board. The group that might not think it’s such a bad idea? Current Greek members.
Greek chapters are being shut down across the country in alarming rates, over 30 just the past spring semester. That’s over six Greek organizations each month. New policies are then created to combat the stigma and show a refined Greek community to universities. Chapters implement the policies without question to avoid risk of the chapter itself being disbanded. And rightly so; once a chapter is disbanded, and it’s charter revoked, it usually goes “inactive” and over the course of years tries to build itself back up to gain access into the University and National organization infrastructure through a series of tests, paperwork, and promising preventative measures. Not to mention recruiting enough members to meet the requirements of being recognized as a fraternity. The process solidifies a reminder of the responsibility and commitment required to be a part of a Greek letter organization. That reminder and the process along with it is generally followed, with a few sparse groups trying to operate “underground” for a short period of time before dying off due to lack of resources and members.
The Gazoni Family (formerly Lambda Chi Alpha) has flipped that reminder on its head. When an organization is disbanded, the only thing left are members who are bonded together to regroup. The question the Gazoni Family have members across the country asking is: If all else fails, do we really need anything else other than each other anyways? In a post to promote their recruitment clothing, a slogan sums up the experience that the members of the Gazoni Family are having: “You can take away the letters, but you can’t take away the Family.”
That slogan keeps the message clear. Nevermind the advertising of “no rules” or the party promises. The Gazoni Family has a point to make, and it’s that the bond that they formed does not end at a signed piece of paper or the removal of one. The determination shown by the Family is something that Greek members can applaud, even if their methods are not.
Although the Gazoni Family is sticking together, showing the bond that’s promised during recruitment processes, the messages may warrant criticism even from members who like the concept of what they are doing. Greek organizations that are still active pride themselves on being able to contribute to the community in a positive way, at the same time allowing Greek life at universities to be seen in a positive light. It’s a part of building the national Greek community for years to come. The Gazoni Family is in a different position. They are already kicked out, so “technically” aren’t Greek, but are still Greek—if that makes any sense. They still are active in their community, and recruiting new members. Their actions will still affect Greek organizations for years to come. That’s the scary part of having no rules. By not following them, you may subject someone else to mistreatment based upon stereotypes that you supported with your actions. Then we wonder where these policies come from. It’s full circle.
The Gazoni Family has a formula, and it’s working for them. Their lack of letters may take away some credibility as the Gazoni Family is slowly becoming popular for their stereotype-fulfilling lifestyle that is portrayed in movies with Greek organizations. But credibility isn’t their issue. The Gazoni Family has a point to make: you can take away the letters, but you can’t take away the family.
