The economy and greek life...
 

Is this economy affecting any other chapters? I'm hearing that a lot of the chapters at my school are starting to struggle, but for all I know they are only rumors. This semester's exec board has started to refuse to allow girls to take a semester off for financial reasons. At a meeting a few weeks ago, the chapter was told that we have a pretty significant number of actives who aren't fully paid up on their dues. Our social calendar is pending next year because we don't know if we have the money to put on events! This news, in turn, is bringing down the house morale and a lot of girls who have been paying are now wondering if the (pretty expensive) dues are worth being in a house that cant afford to do anything. I dont just mean parties, I mean we will have significant cuts in sisterhood events, food, activities, etc. We have had to cut senior activities as well. This semester there are additional costs for going to events, so girls who DO pay/pay on time are having to pay extra. Clothes and bags are no longer included in dues either, for example rush shirts.

Legally speaking, in the state of California, is there anything our chapter can do to fix our situation besides fundraisers? We use APH right now, could we take girls to collections for overdue dues and fees? If we take girls to collections, will that still be an option if they decide to drop the house?

I really hate the financial part of all this!! I know it's a business, but it really sucks that there are no alternatives anymore. It doesnt seem fair to have a "pay or leave" policy for your sisters. For some girls, credit cards and student loans just arent an option for a sorority. With so many people (and parents) losing jobs, paying $2000 a year (plus miscelaneous fees/expenses) just to be Greek is an easier thing to cut than clothes or housing.

I feel like pursuing collections and possibly ruining credit is so harsh for someone I call a sister.

We are losing out on so many AMAZING girls because of financial issues :(

any similar problems/advice?

If the chapter has paid for rush clothing, change up what you're doing and have the girls buy their own clothes - items that can be used in everyday life, rather than just for rush.

Cut back on the party t-shirts, favors and "extras." They'll most likely all be in a box 2-3 years after you graduate anyhow. (Old fart statement) I have never understood why it's such a priority to have t-shirts for every little event.

Send people to collections if you have to. Don't sleep on this. It's the easiest way to send your chapter down the drain. I know it sounds really harsh, but especially for a large chapter with a large house, the "business" end is part of sorority life.

This is going to sound Pollyannaish, but trade some of the planned activities for nights watching TV at the house. Believe me the moments you remember the most are the little ones, not the huge affairs.

Re-do your budget as your parents would - what can you CUT without detriment to all (t-shirts is a good one 33 mentioned) - can you do a social at a venue with no costs thereby reducing overall costs? Slice and dice the budget but most of all, discuss this with an advisor or national officer right away before it becomes a runaway train. Good luck.

I agree with the idea of re-working your budget and/or finding cheaper alternatives to your events/para/etc. Definitely do fundraisers and seek out donations whenever/where ever possible and encourage sisters to pay their dues. Granted it does suck to have to implement a "pay or leave" policy but with or without the recession, those are generally the rules. In terms of past due fees/dues, maybe you can set up a payment plan so that at least the chapter has a little money to pool from when needed and the sisters that owe arent as pressured to pay such a large sum all at once that might literally bankrupt them.

Try having a semiannual "budget day"

Make it separate from a regular chapter meeting where your entire chapter goes over the budget.

Tell your sisters about a month ahead of time to look at their finances and try to determine whether or not they will be able to stay active in the next semester.

On that day, let your sisters know that they will be signing a contract stating that they approve the budget and that their dues will be what is allowing this budget to work the way it is.

Make one of the clauses in the contract explicitly say that they will pay the dues they promise even if they drop out or are removed by the processes of the Sorority. This way you won't have as many sisters dropping mid-semester because of dues. (It's better to have people drop before your budget is created, instead of after, I wouldn't be surprised if that is where a lot of your financial turmoil stems from)

If an emergency arises, and they cannot pay because of a genuine financial crisis, then let them know that you are willing to work with them. If it's a really tough call, put it up to a chapter discussion and vote.

If a sister tells you before "budget day" that they do not think that they will be able to pay next semester, then try to see what is stopping them from being able to pay. Work out a payment plan, ask the sister to do an additional fundraiser for the sorority, or work with her to try and get a better job/manage credit/reduce other costs. (If a sister makes a payment plan, make sure to incorporate that into your budget)

If she tells you that she still cannot make her dues, then you should ask her to resign. Let her know that she will always be your sister, but she cannot remain in the house if she cannot pay her dues.

The whole point of this is to do 2 things

1. Make sure your budget is predictable
- Having a budget that is getting thrown out of whack because you don't have the cash inflow that you need can get quite expensive. You end up buying too many shirts and too many meals. Being sure of how much money you have is almost as valuable as the actual money. You won't have any more sisters drop because ya'll are "unsure" about whether or not you will have events

2. To get people to take Fiduciary responsibilities seriously
- Social Psychologists have described the process of altering a general population's opinion about something as "framing". Right now, it seems like paying dues to your organization is not "framed" as important enough. By taking a day aside to talk about one thing and one thing only, you get importance of paying dues on time and having a balanced budget into your sister's heads.

In answer one of your questions- Yes. It seems that the economy is putting a damper on Greek life for many. All of the sororities (even the "upper tiers") at a large state school in my state took on additional members this past spring to make up for the large number of sisters who had to drop due to finances. Sororities taking new members in the spring, with the exception of 1 or 2 glo's on campus, is unheard of at this particular school.

I keep hoping that things will be on the upswing before the end of the year.

Are the sisters who owe outstanding dues still members in good standing?

They shouldn't be. Furthermore, if they aren't paying their dues, they shouldn't really be allowed to attend events (mixers, formals, etc) because dues *pay* for those events.

If it helps, work out payment plans with them. Sometimes it's intimidating to know you owe a ton of money, but it makes it easier if they know they can pay a little at a time.

Like 33 said, cut unnecessary things like t-shirts.

When you're thinking about social ideas, try to find things that are less costly. Can you reuse decorations from a past mixer? Maybe have some low-key sisterhood nights ?

One day of rush and Bid Day tshirts were the only chapter financed tshirts we ever received. We paid $15-$20 for all social event, intramural, and other shirts if we wanted them. We also didn't have other party favors like mugs. I did not miss having them!

We also got put on social probation if our dues were not paid up. We were not allowed to attend any social functions (or the more fun sisterhood ones) if we were not current on financial obligations.

You really will have to implement something to make sure members pay. The way I see it, is that it's just part of the responsibility. I had a job to pay for most of my non-essential spending throughout college. It's a tough decision, but I'm sure girls could give up one or two nights of going out, or a new pair of shoes, to pay their dues. = )

Depending on your chapter, you may be able to cut some costs other places, too. Like dining...is it really necessary to have 4 types of juice? What about all of the dressings on the salad bar? We also had only cold cuts and salad available for Friday lunches, but I would not have minded eating them two or three times a week.

Forego the fresh flower arrangements in the hallways and bathrooms, and cut back to having them in the entry way except for important days when guests will be visiting. A lot of decorating type things my house council did were superflous, and we probably wouldn't have noticed if they were not there!

Check with your org's policies, but you probably CAN'T fundraise for any purpose except to donate the proceeds to a philanthropic or charitable cause.

I've never seen it happen yet that a dedicated member who worked out a payment plan with her chapter, and followed through with making the agreed upon payments in full and on time, even if the payment was $25 a month until what seemed like eternity... had to resign her membership.

Where there's a will there's a way!

We have girls buy their own shirts for recruitment, and most houses as stated above are usually willing to work out a payment plan to members that are really dedicated to the house.

When members join they realize that there is a financial commitment as being part of the sisterhood/brotherhood. With the economic climate suddenly plunging in recent years though, it's a little more understandable because people who could pay now can't. I second (or third or fourth) the payment plan option. Make sure they make payments. If Susie misses payments on her plan but goes to the bar and then smokes some 'mad kush', she clearly does not have the interests of the sisterhood at heart and should be removed.

I noticed that this thread was started by a southern cal greek..... if she is at at Cal State school, or a UC campus, students at those schools are being hit by huge fee increases, and cutbacks in enrollment and course offerings. Keep them in your thoughts!

The semester after I graduated, my chapter lost alot of girls due to money issues....also apparently there are only about 100 girls registered for fall recruitment at USF...usually we have at least double that by mid July.

Don't fret about that just yet. That happens every year at my Florida school so it's normal for us, then you have the last minute rush to sign up for recruitment and we extend the deadline and STILL have people rolling up on the last minute (and even on the day of because of their own stupidity but by then it's too late since the deadline has WAY passed):rolleyes:. The economy is probably just encouraging similar experiences at some of the "smaller" Greek Life schools. It will not be TOO bad.

That's mostly because people are lazy as shit and always wait until the last minute to do anything though.

What sucks about that is that it doesn't say much about the potential membership. I hate how people are always like "I really want to rush!" Well-step 1 is signing up, registration has been open since May and you haven't even done that! You'll really make a great sister :rolleyes:

We offer early pay discounts. For example, if they pay their full semester dues before school starts, they get a $25 discount. If they pay within 2 weeks of school starting they get $20 off, and that dwindles down to no discount by $5 each week. Our dues are much less than $2000, so you would have to make it comparable. The great thing is most of the chapter does this and we begin fall with our full budget and the girls are happy because they saved some money. We have the same option for spring, but the fewer girls pay ahead.

I also always tell the chapter in the last meeting before summer that they can pay their dues over the summer. This is usually news to new members and they like the option. You would be surprised at the number of girls who take us up on that.

Oh and there are ALWAYS parts of the budget that aren't used....re-evaluating the budget is a must every year. I would also look for more low cost/free sisterhood events. It's true, the high dollar events are fun, but they aren't the most memorable. The timesjust hanging out are the ones I remember 10 years later.

Movie Nights
Sisterhood Ice Cream Social or trips to Brewsters out of your own pocket.
$1 Bowling at the local lanes
Cook out with fraternities at the fee state park - they bring the dogs (and grill) you bring the chips. Build in some games. Trust me, it's fun.

You need to be creative and think outside the box a little

This is going to be a big question that all Fraternities and Sororities will have to address in the near future. One thing to look at is asking hard questions like why are people dropping out, or why are they not joining? They claim that it is money, however if you really love and value something you will find a way to bring it into your life. No education is free, so how can we make the GREEK community seem like a steal of a deal! Where are your other groups at, and what do your members, or future members want? I do this all the time and write the answers out. It can be difficult at times; however it is needed for our groups to move forward. What are you doing to give to the members? Are they getting the personal development that we are all craving? Do we have positive leadership to keep people on their toes and proud to be part of ABC group at Z campus? Maybe keeping members around is doing something so simple such setting a goal to compliment 5 of your members a day. I feel that should be a requirement for all Chapter Presidents! Hope this helps.
~KYLE~

Try telling John Q. Greek that he doesn't really love his organization by not being able to shell out over $700 in dues when his parents were laid off and are now facing foreclosure. Yeah, he really doesn't love his fraternity enough :rolleyes:

Yeah, compliment him once a day, let's see if that solves his financial situation. This reminds me of the Donnie Darko lifeline exercise.

I agree with lucgreek
 

First, not allowing people to leave for financial reasons is going to put you in a downward spiral where you will have many people quitting. This is a financial crisis that none of the members on the forum has EVER dealt with while they were in school (they should have a little more sympathy). First and foremost, everyone is at school to be in school. If their parents can no longer help them pay (and you'll know if its legit or just poor budgeting), then work out a deal with them and set them up on a payment plan to finish their outstanding bills while they are one a 1-yr probation or something.

If the girl is worth it, go to your scholarship committee and see if scholarships for dues can be given to any girls in hardship situations with grades above a certain cutoff. Ask your local alumni chapters if they can support in this way as well.

Finally, cut the budget as others have said and opt for more 'sisterhood' as opposed to big-budget events. You do need to watch it, because if the support and benefits outweigh living in a cheaper situation, you will ruin any advantages over cheaper housing.

No, I completely agree that if someone cannot afford it they need to either work out some payment plan they can realistically do, or just resign their membership for their own well-being.

What I took offense to is saying that because the person cannot suddenly afford it that they don't love their group enough. Granted there are people that use money as a cop-out, there are just as many people who cannot afford it due to recent economic circumstances.

People who say this kind of crap are the people whose mommy and daddy footed the bill for everything and never actually HAD to work a job.

Yep. Danielle, this sounds like that guy from Campuspeak who basically said anyone who quits because of money doesn't love their GLO and is a lameoid who you're better off getting rid of.

The girl who buys Prada bags instead of paying dues = probably doesn't love her GLO. The girl who has to go home every weekend and work, in addition to her on campus job, just to pay tuition because her family is strugging so much = probably does love her sorority and is in the unfortunate position of getting booted simply because there isn't enough $$ for everything.

I do agree with Jeni's suggestion of asking alumni for help. There are probably alums out there who would much sooner pay the dues for a deserving member of their home chapter rather than send it off to the national foundation.

I think that most chapters are feeling the pinch nowadays. The key is we gotta think in new ways to make the shortfall. I'm not saying anything that I have the answer to sao any new ideas?

I was an active member in the early eighties, and my chapter was new, and struggling. We had a huge house to fill, and were constantly COB'ing. Our housing costs were also much higher than those of other greek houses. (The chapter house was bought in the era of double digit interest rates) A number of members deactivated for financial reasons, and the chapter ultimately closed. The whole situation was really sad, and then, like now, many students struggled to pay expenses. The moral of the story: it is important to work with members to ensure that they are able to meet expenses, in order for the chapter to remain strong.

A few of my brothers just went inactive b/c they know they can't meet financial obligations this year. Sucks.

we had two members that are not in school this semester due to Financial reasons.

My chapter used to do this, but were told last winter that they are not allowed to. We're facing the problem of sisters deactivating because they are unable to pay dues (lost one already this summer, possibly two) and also PNMs deciding not to go through recruitment or COB because they already know they can't pay dues. I'm not sure what advice to give them...

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.