If Annie Alum wants to write a check out to Ashley Active (rather than XYZ) because she's heard that Ashley Active is a kick-butt sister but doesn't have two dimes to rub together, that's Annie's business.

You can't have alum fundraisers and use that for dues, but if an alumna wants to write a check directly to your landlord for rent, or to the party store for rush decorations, there's really nothing you can do to prevent her from doing so. Alums making these sorts of donations may enable you to reduce your local dues.

We go to our alums when we need help getting to Conclave or any of the Leadership Continuum programs.. It sure isn't cheap!

Maybe it would be worth it to go through the budget and see if all of the extra social activities are needed, and to change to less expensive events than what might be planned. Or maybe alumnae can donate money for an event, such as for food or the cost of renting a space for formal. Lots of chapters have less money but have a great experience by doing more with less. I've also seen on some campuses that a group can raise money by selling concessions or renting parking spaces (if they have a home) out during campus events.

See, that was what I thought. If an alumna wants to help a collegian, what's so wrong with that? Isn't that sisterhood? (although I'm not saying I expect alumnae to help collegians, but if they're willing and able to, I think that's a generous and sisterly action.)

But they were told not to solicit alumnae for donations. When collegians were struggling, they could put a (subtle) mention in our alumnae newsletter, and often did receive help. They were told they couldn't do that anymore.

You've sort of given me an idea though... :)

I can understand that your HQ would not want alums to be solicited for donations thru the newsletter, because some alums might confuse the chapter and national fundraising efforts. Not only that, there might be some alums who would be offended by it. "I paid my dues with no help, why don't these young slackers do the same?" (Never mind that she paid her dues when Eisenhower was in office.)

Just keep it on the grapevine.

I just read in the Orange County register that UC Irvine has 500 empty dorm beds this fall, with a dorm for 1000 or so under construction.
The university is citing the economy as the reason for soft demand for student housing, as more students choose to live at home and commute.

Interesting. How has the economy affected your campus' enrollment or housing situation?

I don't know about the UC schools, but all of the CSU campuses were closed for two days because of budget furloughs. I found this out when I tried to call Dominguez Hills (my campus, via distance learning) to get a new library card. Also, the CSU system will not be admitting students mid-semester. I keep hearing that the economy is "close to improving," but in California, we are not seeing it.

I meant to say mid-year! Does anyone know how many are registered for recruitment at CSUN?

Nothing is set in stone till first day of recruitment. Registration is still going on.

Ah. One of my colleagues was a Kappa at CSUN. She has wonderful memories of her experiences as a Kappa there. This has nothing to do with Greek life, but my 8th grade son has been to visit UCSB, UCLA, and Cal. He wasn't overly impressed. Two weeks ago, I dragged him to the CSUN library with me.....he loved the campus!

That makes me happy to hear :) I LOVE this campus. It feels like home.

I have used the libraries at CalArts, College of the Canyons, Master's College and CSUN as resources for my thesis. CSUN's is my favorite!

I feel like my alma mater has been relatively unaffected. Word from my sisters indicates recruitment registration is up, and you pretty much have to put a kidney down as collateral to get campus housing. However, it could just be due to the fact that enrollment has skyrocketed in the past 5 years or so. Hard to tell.