That's terrible. I did the Rome program with Cornell's architecture school...there was a DPhiE there, and I remember her saying that her chapter was going through a lot. I really hate to see them close, especially since someone I knew is involved. :(

Cornell won the award for last year. I believe that Chi O closed at the tail end of the school year last year and now DPhiE is closing after NPC.

Both chapters have been very weak and sick for years. Both have matched in the single digits in quota for years. (I was last there 3 years ago for a recruitment visit) While it is unfortunate that their national group choose to close these chapters please know that everyone in the system tried to help them for a very, very long time.

Actually that is not quite the truth, but I'll let a member of the group expound more on it.

As a Cornell alumnae, I was heartbroken to hear that my chapter was closing, but I can't imagine the devastation that the 17 womwn currently left in the house must be feeling.

I won't go into all the reasons why our chapter became so small. When I rushed, DPhiE was at total and was making quota. The year I pledge, we got 19 pledges while everyone else had around 30 or so. We figured it was a fluke, but we never really overcame that.

At the time, there were 3 other houses not making quota, and I do not feel like Panhellenic was supportive of us. All the other houses were pre-occupied with alcohol resolutions and such, and no attention was really paid to helping out the smaller chapters.

I am really concerned about Alpha Xi Delta coming to Cornell. I wish them all the best, but I can't understand why a new sorority is coming to campus when 2 recently left and another is still not making quota.

Word from Panhellenic is that a 2nd new sorority will be coming to Cornell to replace DPhiE next fall.

The DPhiE Chapter at Cornell voted to self-close--to the best of my knowledge, they were not closed by the International organization.

Basically, with the campus pushing forward with their expansion plans, it made the chapter feel that it would be insurmountable to made headway and move forward with their plans for formal recruitment in the spring.

I wish Alpha Xi Delta luck--and I wish the Cornell greek system luck as it grows. Hopefully Alpha Xi Delta will find support for them from the campus and the greek community.

Just want to clarify that DPhiE did self-close, but the option was either self close and keep the remaining money in the budget for social functions till teh end of the semester or be closed down by DPhiE headquarters at the end of the semester.

Although I know nothing about the greek system there, or how the Panhellenic council there operates, I feel really bad that they are already finding sororities to replace the ones that have closed so recently :(

Cornell, et al.
 

Sometimes it is better to close a long suffering chapter and to
return in a few years with a new start--
and, in many cases, folks will not join a perennially weak chapter...and so will remain independent..
BUT sometimes they WILL JOIN a new group, so everyone will
profit from the new infusion.
There are still a lot of people who would make great greeks but
are not given a chance due to the obsolete notion that a quota is
needed. Bull puckey. Where there is room, let 'em come; but make plans, of course, for the return and revival of those who
stubbed their toes. But, PLEASE, do not think 'cause one outfit
cannot get their numbers up means no one else will join a new
group....taint so. Charge! Erik P Conard, old Teke

...and thus, the difference in NPC and NIC extension.

expansion
 

>>PLEASE, do not think 'cause one outfit
cannot get their numbers up means no one else will join a new
group....<<<

I don't think that anyone has implied that no one will join a new group. The issue is protecting the existing groups. Two are going (or gone) and one new one is coming with plans for another. Someone is going to take the bottom two places when all is said and done, and most likely it won't be one of the new kids on the block. This seems to be my mantra, but if campus Panhellenics don't do everything in their power to protect themselves as a group and help the smaller groups as much as possible, then they will find a revolving door with groups coming and going all the time. Of course, as NutBrn pointed out, this is the big difference in NPC and NIC.

Although *slightly* disapointed that my sorority won't be a part of the cornell system I do wish Alpha Xi the best of luck... It does seem odd that they are expanding so soon after closures... but if that is what they think will help stop women going bidless... they should give it a chance :D

Cornell Greek happenings.....
 

Unfortunately, the greek system here has taken a hit lately with the closing of two sororities, Chi Omega and Delta Phi Epsilon. I have friends in both houses, and I am sad to see them go.

Even though I was skeptical about the whole expansion thing, I guess I can kinda see where Panhell was coming from. We have been fearing for several years that the President of Cornell was trying to get rid of the greek system by keeping them under such close watch that they never knew when it was safe to do anything. We currently have about 33% of the student body involved in greek life, and want to see it stay alive here, which includes keeping the number of chapters up. The addition of Alpha Xi Delta was a way of getting more people interested by giving girls the chance to be a part of something new. They are currently hoping for 900 ladies to sign up for Recruitment this year, which is much more than in past years, and with two groups now leaving campus, quota is going to be set ridiculously high.


I am not saying that I agree with how things happened, I am just giving out alternative sides of the story. I didn't want to see either house leave, and would have loved them both to find ways to stay and be active members of the Cornell greek community.

sorry if this post causes any riots,

Lacey