Page:BairdsmanualofAmericancollegefrate8.pdf/35

Rh Some of the fraternities have also placed local or city chapters in favorable localities, for the purpose of aiding the extension of the fraternity. In some instances prominent public men have been elected honorary members for the notoriety conferred upon the fraternities by the addition of their names. Elections of this class of members have been generally discontinued, and in most fraternities prohibited. In the lists of prominent alumni given hereafter in connection with the descriptions of the several fraternities members may find omitted the names of well known adherents of their respective fraternities, not knowing that the omissions were by reason of merely honorary membership. The names of such members have been excluded when known.

Membership in two fraternities has been a source of trouble and vexation. It is almost universally forbidden. When it occurs between two chapters of different fraternities located at the same college, and a student leaves one and joins the other, it is termed "lifting," and such disloyalty is usually followed by expulsion. There have been cases, however, where a student going from one college to another college, where his fraternity was not represented, joined a different organization without any sentiment or intention of disloyalty. All of the fraternities now forbid this, although many years ago it was not uncommon.

The most perplexing cases of double membership have arisen at those colleges where some of the chapters of the general fraternities exist merely as class societies. Members of fraternities, which are rivals to such societies