Re: Question
 

I don't believe they want to add 2 groups at the same time. The multicultural groups aren't part of PHC, so they go through approval via the Student Affairs/Greek Life offices. There is currently 1 national Latina, 1 national Asian-American, and 2 multicultural sororities.

Re: Question
 

I agree with Firehouse. Also, bringing on a Jewish sorority (and that is how DPhiE is perceived in this region, especially if DPhiE is interested in this local) might create problems, if that is the only sorority being brought on. It is doubtful, but not impossible, that a Jewish sorority will become a 120+ woman organization at FSU. I just don't believe that there is the demand. All of the active NPC chapters take Jews. As do the fraternities. When I was active, we had only one Jewish fraternity, and they had less than 20 active. Other historically Jewish fraternities have popped up at FSU in more recent years, and they have either folded, or they took a non-sectarian aproach to their chapter culture.

What happens if this local is allowed to affiliate with an NPC group, and they can't hit total? Do we wait another 15 years before another NPC group is allowed on? That would not be good for FSU's greek system. Also, I don't believe that refusing a local, that uniquely fills a market niche, is in anyone's best interest.

I hope that Gamma Lambda proves me wrong in my assessment about their ability to become a fully competitive NPC group. I also hope that the FSU Panhellenic reconsiders only adding one group. What would be so terrible about allowing Gamma Lambda to affiliate with a NPC group, and become a full member in FSU's Panhellenic, while simultaneously allowing another NPC group to recolonize? As long as that second NPC group has resources for housing, they will be able to succeed.

BTW, multi-culturals operate more like NPHC groups, so they don't need Panhellenic's blessing.

One key point, and a favorable one, that came out of last night's meeting is that historically Jewish does not mean exclusively Jewish. This point was brought home by a FSU Grad Assistant who is not only an SDT alumna, she is a former Leadership Consultant AND is not Jewish. There was a great deal of discussion of how, on other campuses in FL, SDT chapters are 1/2 & 1/2 (ie. half Jewish and half non-Jewish).

Barbara

Thanks 33girl & aopirose for your corrections to the article. Russ, yes D Phi E has historically Jewish roots in FL at U of F and somewhat Miami. But both of those chapters have become more 1/2 and 1/2. I know that D Phi E would certainly want to attract quality women of any affiliation.

barbara,
 

please keep us posted as things begin to transpire. it is an exciting time at fsu!!lisa

The inverse of this is also true. I don't think that any NPC group plans to come to FSU and be exclusively anything. Every NPC group has members of many different faiths and cultural backgrounds. Any group that has applied to FSU is well aware of the cultural and religious make-up of the student body.

THANK YOU. This is an excellent point that people sometimes miss. We have tons of non-Jewish sisters, as (I'm sure) does SDT.

I'm a little confused by something, though - maybe I've just missed it. Is this going to be a from-the-ground-up colonization or is Gamma Lambda looking to go national? Or is Gamma Lambda waiting to see which sorority is chosen before deciding whether to try to affiliate or continue operating as a local?

My understanding is that when a local wants to join an NPC sorority, Panhel doesn't do the work of hearing presentations and making a selection - the local does (though Panhel must approve the final selection). The local can indicate a preference for a particular NPC sorority if they wish, although their information still goes to all NPC sororities not already represented on campus. That is what happened in the case of my local - we indicated our preference for AEPhi, and AEPhi presented directly to us, not Panhel.

Is it different because my local was an associate member of Panhel? It sounds like Gamma Lambda is not affiliated with Panhel at all.

I think somewhere in the earlier part of the thread it was mentioned that Panhel. voted to expand independently of Gamma Lambda - if Gamma Lambda later chooses to affiliate with another national group then so be it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by aephi alum
I'm a little confused by something, though - maybe I've just missed it. Is this going to be a from-the-ground-up colonization or is Gamma Lambda looking to go national? Or is Gamma Lambda waiting to see which sorority is chosen before deciding whether to try to affiliate or continue operating as a local?

From the ground up. This is a general expansion, not expansion by petition. Gamma Lambda requested an expansion by petition a few years ago and was voted down. Before they could present a request again, the PHC voted for expansion. Gamma Lambda hopes that whatever group comes to campus, would look strongly at their sisterhood.

My understanding is that when a local wants to join an NPC sorority, Panhel doesn't do the work of hearing presentations and making a selection - the local does (though Panhel must approve the final selection). The local can indicate a preference for a particular NPC sorority if they wish, although their information still goes to all NPC sororities not already represented on campus. That is what happened in the case of my local - we indicated our preference for AEPhi, and AEPhi presented directly to us, not Panhel.

Is it different because my local was an associate member of Panhel? It sounds like Gamma Lambda is not affiliated with Panhel at all.

Gamma Lambda is not currently affiliated with PHC. They had applied for associate membership a few years ago and were denied. The NPC does have recommendations regarding interest groups and expansion, but since this was voted as an open expansion for the campus, the recommendations for the interest group, etc. do not need to be followed.

Hope that answers your questions!

Barbara

Yes, this is true. However it is becoming increasingly apparent that a more historically inclusive NPC group is needed on campus. There are already 2 historically Jewish fraternities on campus that are doing quite well, so it only follows that there is a large enough community to support a historically Jewish (or historically non-sectarian) NPC sorority.

B.

Thanks Barbara! This all makes sense now. :)

Shadokat -
I have a totally random hypothesis on this - wondered what you think -

DPhiE is huge in NY state and the NE in general. Do you think that maybe many of the girls who go to school in FL from the NE gravitated to DPhiE b/c they knew it's rep up here. Then, because many girls from the NE (especially NY) are Jewish, it sort of morphed into that?

Just a thought and totally off topic!

Sorry for the hijack! :D

Hi Diamond Delta :)

There was a thread earlier about Purdue and what you are proposing is basically what SDT does there.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=42038

Whether they would also want to do that at FSU or if another group would want to I don't know.

Diamond Delta, what you are describing is pretty much what happened with my local - right down to the NPC sorority in question. :D

I was part of a local sorority that was considerably smaller than the NPC chapters on campus (10 sisters vs. 90-100 sisters in each of the four NPC groups; total was 80). We liked being smaller - we were shooting for 40-60 active sisters. When we started talking about NPC affiliation, one of our concerns was that we'd be getting nastygrams from nationals about not meeting quota/total, but we were very up front with AEPhi about our intentions, and they were ok with it (not thrilled, but ok).

Looking back, I think we were a little too small compared to the other NPC groups, but in a situation like this, where the local is more established and isn't too much smaller than the NPC groups, it could work beautifully.

(But I'm biased... ;) )

They're not breaking a rule - I thought they were too, but it turns out that there is nothing in the NPC agreements that says you HAVE to participate in formal rush.