Oh, wow, this is my exact experience with alumni involvement--Different city, different GLO, but same impenetrable Iron Curtain. I tried three extended times over a period of 20 years to break through the wall, but finally decided the frustration-to-reward ratio was completely out of whack. I was beginning to believe that the whole, "join a national sorority--find sisterhood for a lifetime" spiel was simply recruitment myth.

The fourth time has proven to be the charm, but it took much persistence and determination on my part. I am now actively involved in the local alumni group, and like FSU Zeta and Faith4Keep, I am determined to model a welcoming spirit for anyone who ventures into the group as well as actively recruit other alums to join us.

Thanks again OP for reminding us of all of this.

To me, that sounds like the equivalent of having a chapter at a community college/2-year school. Which, and only speaking for SGRho, we don't have for reasons along what you described above.

i would think that since CAP is a transitional kind of program that they wouldnt be allowed to have a greek life. It's a strain on each GLO because of the high turnover. and if the majority of students go to one of the CAP schools with the intention of "oh, i'll just transfer to UT anyway," then its WAY better to have students just wait until they transfer their sophomore year.

then again, campus culture is key, and it seems like at UT, it's either freshman or bust because of the competitive nature. perhaps this is what adpiucf was alluding to in changing chapter culture - that the house becomes a revolving door of sorts?

i'm gonna switch lanes for a second (and feel free to tell me when to get back in mine), but i would think if the university's structure is changing, then NPC rush needs to reflect that. i know, old habits die hard, but i'd hate to know that a transferring PNMs GLO membership is good at school A but then when they get to school B it's a no-go.

Did all of you make it?
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First: excellent story. Thank you for sharing it. It was really interesting to me all the way around. I'm glad that you were willing to work hard to fit in.

In regard to all the alumnae chapters who didn't really reach out either, don't you know that those women probably also wondered why more people weren't involved when they found themselves with a big project. I haven't ever experienced it with alumnae groups, but I have with church groups or other organizations.

The CAP program is just a sub-group of students at a regular four year college, if I understand it correctly. So probably the majority of the students at those school are there for four years, so it's not really a junior college kind of campus in general.

I think that the groups themselves should just handle it by not taking more than a couple CAP girls a year. With those students, you know in advance they are leaving, so you can weigh whether you want to have them for a year or someone else for maybe four. (But even so, don't other non-CAP students transfer?)

Or the campus panhellenic could set up a separate CAP quota. There are ways to handle it, it seems to me, when you can identify in advance who is likely to transfer.

With everyone else, as long as all the groups see about the same number of girls leave each year, it can be reflected in having a lower campus total for all groups, right?

And, I totally understand how a girl could be in good financial and academic shape and still not be a good member. I'm completely fine with voting on affiliates; I just think that no votes should be exceptional and only for "good" reasons. If it's a national sisterhood; it's a national sisterhood. Since affiliates don't keep you from pledging someone else, we can afford to be generous with the sisterhood, it seems to me.

For CAP students, I see what you mean about how it seems like having a chapter at a community college, but UTA is a full 4 year university with plenty of students who do stay there all 4 years. They have several programs which are attractive to potential students and are located right in between Fort Worth and Dallas in a rather prime location so a lot of students from the DFW area who don't want to go far far away for school look at UTA. CAP is really just a designation given to students attending another univeristy for their freshman year.

I have been a resident of 4 different states since I joined GC, and I'm glad to read these anecdotes to confirm that this issue isn't exclusive to my own sorority.

It is very challenging to join an alumnae association when you are the new kid in town and 95% of the members come from the area collegiate chapter. It can be a very exclusive group, to the point where the group is crumbling because the members themselves are not welcoming of outsiders despite efforts made to include them in events.

I think this is just the culture of women, unfortunately, and it is very hard to change people. You can change yourself, however-- and make an extra effort. If that still isn't working, then this particular alum group isn't right for you. Which is sad, but that is the reality...

Alumnae associations exist mainly to keep us tied to the sorority, but when there are no real expecations to maintain your alumnae membership, I think it is easier to be excluded or to make an excuse as to why you don't want to make the effort. I guess that is why I have started questioning women who are "pursuing AI" -- there are no expectations for membership in NPC alumnae life, whereas collegiate Greeks have to hustle, pay dues and make the min. requirements just to retain their right to claim membership.

On a happier note, the OP showed great maturity to stick it out and make friends in the new chapter. Many new members to a sorority, once initiated, drop b/c they may find themselves in this position. Congrats to both of your ZTA chapters for recruiting such a wonderful member!

When you affiliated with the new chapter, were you given an adopted big or anything? Or was Candice your only connection? My Chapter didn't have affiates very often, but the one that we did have was assigned an adoptive big sis to kind of help her along and get to know people.

x

Oh my, I just stumbled on this thread and I went through BU's rush a year before you in '05!

I wonder if we ever met...?

Glad to hear things are looking good for you at UT, too!

I recently met a Zeta from Baylor through a friend. She was such a sweet girl. I'm glad everything worked out for the best. That definitely gives PNM's like me hope.

I've been fortunate as an alumna. Our moves have taken us to a variety of assignments around the country. One of my first phone calls when learning that a PCS is imminent is to my group's local alumnae association. I am able to find info from real estate agents to dentists to school systems even decent hairdressers. Some associations are comprised of members from a plethora of chapters, other associations have had the majority of the members come from the flagship state school. In all cases, I was welcomed and was included immediately.

What an interesting read... even more interesting when you are familiar with the chapters that are being discussed, though. Baylor's recruitment is truly as competitive as any SEC rush.

I will tell y'all that these young ladies do get their hearts set on different groups. As I was flying in Texas one day, three young ladies from Baylor were on my plane, discussing the pros and cons of each of the sororities, how they would only pledge their chosen chapter or drop out all together, etc.

All things considered, though, I think Baylor has an excellent Greek system.

GO BAYLOR

TTT!