For a long time most campuses didn't tinker much with Chapter Total. It was what it was and that was that. NPC realized that times were changing. While some campuses were experiencing rampant growth, on others Greek numbers were dwindling. NPC needed to change many of its long standing policies/views too. NPC policy used to be that Chapter Total could not be changed +/- by more than 5 in any year. They did away with that. This allows Total to be adjusted quickly in a changing environment. Campuses are now encouraged, if not required, to review Chapter Total at least yearly.

The definition of how Chapter Total was calculated changed too. Average chapter size now includes both the familiar mean average (total Panhellenic members/# of chapters) and now the median (middle) average. This is important on a campus where 1 or 2 sororities are significantly smaller for whatever reason. For example, at Bama back then SDT had 10-15 members while most other chapters had 150+. This dramatically pulled the mean average down keeping Chapter Total artificially low. The median average is a far more accurate representation.

Let me back up a bit. At Bama, a few years ago the University began a major growth plan to increase the total student population. With the student population growing so did the number wanting to go Greek. Over the last few years total PNMs has increased by about 100+ each year. This means ever larger Quotas, thus larger chapters. Chapter Total has been increased from 125 to 140, then to 150, and 2 years ago to 180.

Back to NPC. Then came the major NPC Recruitment changes including the adoption of the Release Figure Method which was designed to (hopefully) place more PNMs in chapters. Large Greek campuses were/are also strongly encouraged to consider expansion. But expansion doesn't happen overnight. It can take years.

First, a campus needs several years of growth plus evidence it will continue for the Univ Admin and Panhellenic to decide expansion is necessary. Something else to keep in mind, at Bama it was strongly felt that for any new sorority to be successful they needed a comparable chapter house. So the University needed to find a location and incorporate it into the the campus' long term building plan. Remember we're talking not only about an available site (which on any campus is difficult), but also roads, sewers, water lines, parking, traffic flow, etc. This means surveys, architects, engineers, city planners, etc, then taking it all to the Board of Trustees. This delayed Bama's expansion even though the need was evident.

Second, NPC groups not on campus are contacted to see who is interested. In general every group would love to be on every campus. But when it comes to (re)colonizing they have to look realistically at their goals and resources. What's their long term growth plan? Will they be successful at that particular campus? How many other (re)colonization efforts do they already have going on? How expensive will it be? (Building a house is big bucks.) How much local alum/collegian support is in the area? Etc.

Third, interested NPC groups inform the Univ. If necessary the field is narrowed to a few. Invitations to make a presentation are extended and finally Panhellenic selects the group(s). All this takes time.

Some more things to think about in regards to Bama. As I said 2 years ago Chapter Total was increased to 180. This year Alpha Phi's recolonization had an amazing response with over 210 new members. After Formal Recruitment the typical chapter size is around 210-220, some even larger. DG re-colonizes in 2010. Another thing, the Univ still plans on increasing the student population even more. Will Bama's Chapter Total need to be increased yet again? Could it be necessary to expand again? (For the record, those are strictly my wonderings. There are NO rumors of either happening at this point in time.)