Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Maryland

sorority charging fees for missed pre-recruitment activities

My sorority is charging me fees of $120 for missing pre-recruitment without an excused absence. I submitted an excuse to miss pre-recruit. for a family trip, which had been approved previous years. I did submit my excuse late, but emailed it on 1/11. Pre-recruit. began 1/19, which I missed as I was away, but recruitment began 1/27. They allowed me to participate in recruitment and even was asked to do many extra things for it. One can not actively recruit unless she attends pre-recruitment or has an approved excuse by the bylaws. After recruitment, I get an email on 2/6 saying my excuse for missing pre-recruit. on was denied and I owe $120 for not having an approved excuse for pre-recruitment. When I filed an appeal saying they allowed me to recruit so therefore in essence my excuse must have been approved to do so, they responded they have done me a favor by allowing me to recruit because otherwise I would have missed recruitment as well and my fine would have then been then $250. They say my excuse was filed late and this was the first opportunity they had to look at it (when they all were together from 1/19 on!). Can they legally do this? Please advise because as a college student, I can not afford $120. Many thanks!


Asked on 2/18/09, 10:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: sorority charging fees for missed pre-recruitment activities

Private organizations are allowed to set their own rules, and if the rule was established in accordance with the bylaws, they can enforce it. If there is an appeal process, you might try to take advantage of it.

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Answered on 2/18/09, 4:43 pm


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