Bama Recruitment '04
 

A Bama PNM just left my house and she said that in an orientation meeting, they were told that this year's recruitment would be the biggest ever--and that quota might be 150!:eek: Has anyone else heard this?

Wow, that sounds iffy...could they manage to rassle up some other sororities to take the pressure off of that. I mean, 150? For quota??? Everyone would have to be a big sister, or take more than one little!

Believe me it will not be that high....rumors like that run rampanant every year. Believe me my sister is currently in a sorority there and i have many friends both in sororities and going thru rush and i have not heard such a thing. I think that this is not a credible rumor.

Although my school doesn't compare to Bama in terms of rush, we do have a lot of girls coming through (about 1,000). They always tell the chapters after recruitment orientation that quota could be in the 100's. They factor that just by dividing the amount of girls at the orientation by the number of chapters. As we all know, a lot happens during recruitment week; girls drop out or girls are cross cut. We still end up with a large pledge class (around 70) but that's better than 100! :)

This is just a rumor.

Actually, rush numbers are projected to be around 1200 this year, which is up about 300 girls since last year. But even if all those women went through the entire process, quota would still only be 80 (1200 divided by the # of sororities [15] = 80). If 1500 girls signed up for rush, quota COULD be 100... but there are always lots of people who drop out. I doubt quota will be more than 70 or 75 at the most.

Carnation, tell your PNM to pm me if she has questions--I won't reveal my affiliation to her, but I will be happy to help if she needs anything and I might be able to point her in the direction of some recs from various houses.

Nonono I doubt that.

There's always a TON of girls who drop out. I think it may be high, like 75 at most, but no WAY it would be 100.

Supposedly this is because Auburn is on probation with their accreditation. More girls are coming here next year. Maybe there was an Alabama baby boom in '85-'86? LOL.

I'll do that--no doubt you can clue her in better than I can! She was pretty wide-eyed after being told that quota was 150 and was probably wondering how on earth you could have sisterhood with pledge classes that size.

(Note to all have inquired--No! This is not my daughter! My daughter is not going to Bama!)

This news doesn't surprise me in light of the administration announcing that they want to boost enrollment to (I think) 25,000 within the next few years. More students=more rushees. I think it's an ambitious goal to aim for 150, but they do realize that a good number will drop before actually initiating. Not to mention people who disaffiliate for whatever reason along the way.
Anyone know if the proposed stadium expansion is going to affect Sorority Row??

Re: Bama Recruitment '04
 

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I'm looking at their website, but don't see a list of which NPC groups are at 'Bama. Does anyone know?

If true, this is incredible!!


ETA: I found the list:


ACW
AOP
ADP
AGD
CW
DDD
DZ
GFB
KAQ
KD
KKG
FM
PBF
SDT
ZTA

Greek Life Website at 'Bama

NPC Chapaters at 'Bama
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Omicron Pi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Zeta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Mu
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Zeta Tau Alpha

IFC Chapters at 'Bama
Alpha Kappa Lambda
Alpha Tau Omega
Beta Theta Pi
Chi Phi
Delta Chi
Delta Kappa Epsilon
Delta Tau Delta
Kappa Alpha
Kappa Sigma
Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Sigma Phi
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Kappa Psi
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Phi
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Chi
Sigma Nu
Sigma Pi
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Theta Chi
Zeta Beta Tau

I have heard that AOPi will be affected, and possibly Theta as well. The rumor is that SDT closed down this summer due to low numbers, so AOPi would probably have first dibs at SDT's house.

When I went through recruitment at Auburn a couple of years ago, it was the largest group ever to go through (1213 girls). I think quota (figured after IWT's; # of girls still invited back/# of sororities) was around 65 with 4 additions. My pledge class was right about 65.
Some girls will have to take on more than one little sister, but for the most part it ought to be pretty much one-on-one matching. I think only 6-7 girls got two littles.

Did SDT close or did they just move out of their house but are still on campus?

Supposedly our quota this fall is going to be 85! :eek: It's still better than 150, but damn a pledge class of 85 seems a little ridiculous...:rolleyes:

SDT is NOT closed. They are just moving out of their house.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=49500

Also a quick look at their national site shows that they are active.

Won't not having a house hurt them during recruitment? Any other chapters not have houses? :(

Dang... that's more than total at my school! If quota is always that high, you could easily end up with chapters with 300+ members. :eek:

It was mentioned in another thread that SDT @ Purdue does not have a house...apparently it works for them there so perhaps they are trying the same thing at Bama. It will definitely cut down on expenses so maybe that will help them out.

SDT does not have a house at my school, either. While they're not as big as the other sororities, they don't have to be because they don't have a house to fill. SDT has done this at a number of schools, and I think it's a pretty good idea -- much better than closing down a chapter that has good sisterhood and enough girls to function just because they can't afford to keep the house. I think that for most NPC sororities, though, the idea that you don't HAVE to compete numbers-wise with the other groups on campus is still one they're coming to terms with.

Is it unthinkable that a strong Panhellenic chapter would take less than quota intentionally? Honestly, if I were running a chapter, I simply would not want to deal with those kinds of logistics. I realize that on some campuses there's a stigma associated with not taking quota...but would that be the case if it were well known that that chapter just likes to be smaller and only bids superstars and legacies? Also, I know that for philanthropy, Greek Week, etc. it's difficult for a smaller chapter to compete with big chapters...but again, would that be the case if the "smaller" chapter is "only" 160 superstar members?

I ask because at the vast majority of schools, fraternities can take as many members as they want, but they CHOOSE not to have 85-member pledge classes; even powerhouses usually stick to around 50 pledges. Everyone on campus knows that XYZ could take 500 pledges if they wanted and that taking 50 was a choice, so their reputation is only enhanced by the selectivity. So I wonder if sororities ever make the same choice.

you say that is the RUMOR so I am guessing you haven't seen their membership roster or know for a fact that they only have seven girls. So please be Panhellenic and give them the benefit of the doubt rather than reporting negatives. Maybe the rushees wouldn't be hearing these RUMORS if other sororities didn't keep repeating them.

So so so many kudos to SDT for sticking behind these girls rather than just saying "you're below quota so your sisterhood doesn't count. kthxbye, your chapter's closed." Not everyone cares about living in a mansion - that's why Greeks are discouraged from using "house" (What house are you in?) to refer to a chapter. If all you are in your sorority for is your house you are a lame weak jerk. Apparently SDT feels that sisterhood is more important than money, numbers or campus rep. Thank God.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I am buzzed and this pisses me off no end to see crap like this.

It's really unfortunate for SDT at Bama-- they are a single letter chapter with a lot of alumnae backing, but many girls coming to Bama are close-minded and go on rumors during rush. This hurts their house a lot, with no fault of their own. Girls are told that they need to join a large house, and little do most know that sisterhood can be much better in a house where you know each of your sisters well, and can even recognize them on the street going to class.

The SDTs are very sweet girls-- I know a number of them personally, and it's very unfortunate that they have to move out of their house. That's a fact. The rumor part is that they are closing down completely, which may or may not be true. I've contacted a Panhellenic officer and she said she was not even sure as of yet, but would know closer to fall recruitment.

I'll keep y'all posted if I find anything out, but for know let's pray for their chapter and hope that they come out OK. Panhellenic first-- that's what I say.

How true! It would be great if this situation could be turned into a positive for SDT. I am sure that there a lots of women who are interested in recruitment at Alabama but unable to go through because of the cost of paying for a house. Wouldn't SDT be a perfect alternative for them?
I wish them the best. Struggling for numbers is heartbreaking for those members - all the sorority women at Alabama should remember that.

Did SDT lose their house at UGA too? I noticed they are not on the Greek Life website anymore.

And I totally agree with what the above poster wrote about SDT may be a wonderful place for some great women who just couldn't afford to join a sorority that has house fees and parlor fees and such. Good luck to everyone this fall!!!!

Good points, 33!

I hadn't heard that about SDT. That's so sad! I have some friends that are SDT alumnae. I hope they remain active despite a dip in numbers. One of my friends was the housemother there a couple years ago and told me that she really enjoyed it there.

According to Alabama's on Greek Website... Under Greek System Data... What the young lady from 'Bama said was rather accurate number wise...

As of Fall 2003, SDT had 18 members, five of those members pledged this past recruitment. The avg chapter size is 140 members, with most chapters between 140-180 members.

I think it is great that everyone is supporting SDT, including their Nationals (if this is the case). However, I am from the south and attended a southern school. I can sooo understand what some greek members from the south are saying. Right or wrong it is how it is at some southern schools. The Greek system is strong and thriving, so the formula and way of life is obviously working for them!

No one is disputing the facts - and I think that everyone realizes that low numbers (compared to the other NPC groups on a campus) does hurt a sorority and that PNM's do take it into consideration. Certainly, the more important greek life is on a campus, the more it influences decisions. I am not sure that putting all the facts out on GC (or repeating "rumors") does much to help SDT at Alabama. Whatever happens, what they need most is the support of other greeks.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Glitterkitty
[B]Did SDT lose their house at UGA too? I noticed they are not on the Greek Life website anymore.

I don't think so, they have a pretty active chapter at UGA and usually kept a full house.

I keep trying to go to the general Greek Life page at UGA and cannot - I would guess the whole Greek site is down. SDT's chapter website is still linked through UGA.

SDT might have a slight advantage. I know when I rushed I was concerned about $$ and having to live in the house. No offense to anyone, but sharing a bathroom with that many girls scares me to death (I have bathroom issues)

Some girls that might not go greek might consider a less expensive sorority and older girls might enjoy not having to give up their apartments

I tried the site too but I think it's not working right and the info I did find seemed out of date.

The website for UGA Panhellenic is down.. However, there is information available at the following websites:

UGA Sororities

Greek Academics

UGA IFC

UGA NPHC

Also, most of the NPC Sororites have websites

Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Omicron Pi
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Zeta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Mu
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Sigma Kappa
Zeta Tau Alpha

Ran across this during a search...
 

Does anybody have news/update regarding the original post?

well here's the new dress code, but the cynic in me doesn't think it will work, LOL.

http://www.bama.ua.edu/~npc/dress.htm

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen. Good for them for trying, though.

Trying to give advice to my little sister
 

How weird! They're not supposed to wear black to Pref Night? I thought everyone did that.

Also, I am confused now... my sister is graduating from high school and attending Alabama in the fall (my SDT reply was just myself being curious.. or nosy :p sorry girls), and she will be going through recruitment.

Any Alabamians out there with advice as to what I should tell her to wear? Has the new dress code been stressed within your chapters? I don't mean to sound rude, but in general, do you think there will be extra cutting (due to attire) towards girls who underdress according to the new guidelines, or towards the opposite? (I go to a small school, so recruitment is very different.)

PS - Should she contact a local Panhellenic Alumnae Association to ask them to write recommendations for her? She has two aunts who are members of NPCs that are at Alabama who can write to those, but for the others, is that the right way to go?

Sorry to sound like such a newby... recruitment is a whole different process at a big school like Alabama!

Thanks, and lots of love!

Re: Trying to give advice to my little sister
 

Recs never hurt. If your area has a local APA then she should register with them by all means. Many APAs hold information sessions at this time of year. Some are already over but it doesn't hurt to check it out. Good luck to your sister!