That sounds like another case of "Wait for it....".

And I love cheesypoofs.

If you don't mind my complete lane swerve, for somebody with a solid understanding of both HBCUs and the Divine Nine, why do you say it was destined to fail? Several people have said this like it is obvious, and I am just curious to understand why. This isn't one of those posts where I'm asking the question only to follow up by saying that it's inherently bad for people to not respect a fraternity like Pike just because it's primarily white or anything like that. I'm more interested in what the cultural differences between the two fraternity systems are that would make it so obvious to those "in the know" (so to speak) but not obvious to those who aren't.

Is it the fact that a fraternity like Pike just is not capable of holding the same level of respect on a campus where the Divine Nine is so ubiquitously respected (similar to how something like Groove Phi Groove does not hold the same prestige as AKA or Alpha)? Is it that there would be a resentment to an admittedly Caucasian cultural institution appearing on a campus so steeped with African-American traditions? Is it the fact that the Pike chapter was attempting to have a chapter based on IFC style recruitment, social activities and philanthropy on a campus where Divine Nine style intake and programming is more appealing?

Once again I'm not asking this to pass judgment on the reason, I'm just curious.

You can probably read the two Pike at Howard threads on GC to answer all of your questions.

In MYYYYYYY opinion, I do believe an NIC fraternity could work at an HBCU, but it has to be the right one at the right time with the right group of students.

Problem number one: it really wasn't the right group of students. I'm sorry, but I know of several of these guys. Just....wack.

Problem number two: a Pike told me he felt that their chartering standards were too high for Pike to work at an HBCU, particularly the number of men required to charter and maintain a chapter.

Problem three: I have nothing but love for Pike, but I don't think it was the right fit for Howard culturally. I dunno... I feel like a smaller org with a different vibe might have been better. Delta Upsilon? The Dekes?

One more thing -- there was major, major white elephant in the room -- the absence of Kappa Alpha Psi on campus at the time the Pikes organized. I really don't think it would be a good idea to bring ANY new fraternity to Howard unless it could be proven through the presence of all five of the NPHC orgs that there was truly a need for a new social fraternity. And when the school determines the need, I reallllly think it should have had an expansion process more similar to NPC sororities -- allow groups to make presentations.

I guess what sucks is that the school didn't really have the infrastructure to deal with this.

But yeah, the biggest reason we knew it would fail is because we knew the guys were herbs.

That too, but I feel like there is a third thread which is missing. Am I trippin?

Thanks Senusret I!

I think you are 100% right on with this one. They would have been better off w/ one of the smaller IFC groups that is at mostly private schools and at at most of the Ivies. Psi U is the first one that springs to my mind, but there are others.

^^^ Yes. Exactly.

It seems missing. :eek: That's the good darn thread that I was trying to refer her to. It had the answer to every one of her questions. And this thread even answered some of her questions.

C-O-N-spiracy.

wow. i havent heard "herb" in a minute. im going to bring it back.

I agree with Sen and 33 - if i had to peg an IFC or NIC to colonize at Howard, Pike wasnt it. I'd have put a vote in for DKE as well, or even TKE (thats solely based on the TKEs i knew at my school).

I'm surprised a MCGLO wasnt suitable, outside of the "herbness" of the guys who wouldve been charter members. Maybe LUL?

Okay, I guess I found the 3 threads:

1) this thread
2) http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=75059
3) and (LOL) http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=75056

Lol, I find it refreshing that I wasn't the only one to think Psi U. :D

On a serious note however, I know Psi U appealed to a lot of our younger chapters because of the collective culture of the fraternity.

That 3rd one was fire! lol and i found my new siggy in there. Thanks!