University of Central Florida
 

hey, anyone know if UCF's NPC ever got rush done? I heard they kept having to postpone it.

UCF's bid day was Sept. 1.

These are the results posted on the results thread:

University of Central Florida: August 28 - September 1 (quota 56 or 57?)

Alpha Delta Pi (made quota), Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Xi Delta (made quota), Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta (made quota), Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma (37), Pi Beta Phi (made quota), Zeta Tau Alpha (made quota)


ETA: Quota was 56 according to the ADPi results page....others may have made quota but it is not listed above...

* AEPhi did not participate in formal recruitment at UCF because it has not yet colonized/been chartered.

Question for you guys!
 

I'm sure you guys get bombarded with the same questions all the time but figure I'll give it a try since there is a UCF thread!

I never seem to be back in time for rush before school starts but I'm really interested in going greek. I pledged several years ago ( It isn't called U Can't Finish for nothing :cool: ) but didn't go through with it because it just wasn't the right time or place for me.

Soooo my questions are...is anyone going to be holding rush during spring?

What is the status of AEPhi coming on campus? I'm really excited if they really are going to be a part of UCF.


And finally, how much does it matter what year you are in? I have been told in the past that if you are a junior or a senior your chances of bids are reduced.


I really appreciate any responses you might have :D

Thanks!
RC

I'm not sure of the status on AEPhi. I think Panhellenic voted not to expand after the poor results of Fall Recruitment but this could mean that they voted not to expand in the Spring like they were supposed to.

Some chapters may hold informal Spring Recruitment. You can contact the Greek Affairs office for more information.

As for Juniors or Seniors:
I'm going to be honest....UCF has a very competitive rush. Even informal recruitment is pretty competitive. Most chapters will only take a limited amount of Juniors; some chapters will take an even more limited amount of Seniors while other chapters will not take Seniors at all.

Make sure to contact Greek Affairs since they will have more information than me.

UCF is expanding
 

Ladies,

UCF is expanding and will be bringing on 2 NPC groups over the next 18 months or so. NPC announced expansion opportunity earlier this year and there will be 2 rounds. First, there is an interest group of women who are looking to afiliate with a historically Jewish national. For those who are too young to know, in the 1920, 1930 and 1940s, Jewish women were not permitted to join most of your groups so, although groups like DPhiE were founded as non-sectarian, during this time period Jewish women predominantly joined our ranks. Today, all three groups are as diverse as many of the other groups.

This interest group will be the first to go national. DPhiE and probably SDT and AEPhi have submitted packets but no invitations to present have come yet but are expected by semester end. I think that group selected gets 12 months to get up to total and then a second national will come on based on a few being selected to present from I'm sure a large stack of nationals to chose from. Who wouldn't want a chapter at UCF? There is no interest group for the second expansion.

I'm sure there will be more to report by semesters end. Any insiders, please feel free to add information as it becomes available.

In panhellenic friendship,
Denise
DPhiE Director of Expansion

As a UCF graduate and a UCF Greek, I am in agreement with ZTAngel (also a UCF Greek/Grad).

UCF sororities place an emphasis on underclassmen during formal recruitment; this does not mean that a junior or senior can't receive a bid or have a competitive recruitment. I know of plenty exceptional ladies who "rushed" later in their undergrad careers and were very pleased with their invitations and the groups they ended up joining.

Denise, thanks for your information about the potential for 2 new groups. How recently did you receive the expansion news? Word on the street had it that due to the hurricane knocking the recruitment schedule off and poor results from a new method of recruitment, UCF would be holding off on colonization of any new sororities for this school year. Has this changed since early Sept?

RockCandyDeluxe, I would say it is likely there will be a few groups holding informal recruitment events in the spring time. I advise you to go to the Office of Greek Life when classes resume in Jan for spring semester, and to indicate your interest. They can give you the most up to date information and pass along your name as a PNM to the sororities holding these events.

Also, the UCF Greek Community is a very friendly one and I am sure you have Greeks in your classes. Strike up a conversation about Greek Life and indicate you'd be interested in learning more about informal recruitment events in spring, should they know anything about it.

Good luck!

Actually, we are colonizing very soon. My sister and close friend is extension chair. Last week after Pan, an Extension meeting was held for all the delegates. AEPhi, SDT, and DPhiE all sent in information, and all three groups will most likely be invited to present.
Here is part of an email from Greg Mason, our director of Greek Affairs...
"After getting home last Wed night, I started thinking (a dangerous past time for me) as the information is great...but is difficult to tell what would be the best two groups to bring to campus. It was impossible for me to sift through and make good decision, so I would imagine it would be the same for all of you. (Even though I have been involved in numerous colonizations and extensions, this is a bit different, so we are all in the same boat as far as this experienice.) I have asked the NPC for guidance and have contacted the NPC Extension Chair, JJ Wales, who has said that it is fine if we want to bring all 3 national organizations to make presentations.

If the vote next week is "affirmative" for this, then we will be invite all 3 gropus to make presentations. We will invite the "interest group" (UCF women who want to start a historically Jewish-founded NPC sorority) or their representatives to attend these presentations. We will even go so far as to solicit their input...but they will need to keep in mind that Panhellenic will be making the final decision. It is a fine line to walk, but it is important for Panhellenic to be the ones to choose."

This was sent out this week. I'm assuming that whatever group is chosen will colonize in the Spring semester.

Re: UCF is expanding
 

ok, this post has me completely confused. i thought ucf had already picked aephi so why would they go through the whole process again? i could be mixed up but denise's story sounds really similar to the story at another florida school, maybe fsu?

and on a side note, people have been saying that ucf's numbers were down this year but couldn't that be largely attributable to this year's horrible hurrican season? wasn't their an upward trend in numbers for several years prior to this year.

I had been told by a few UCF collegiates that it was AEPhi that was chosen but I guess they were wrong. Best of luck to SDT, AEPhi, and DPhiE in their upcoming presentations!

As for the second group to colonize, I had heard that almost every NPC sorority sent in an interest packet.

Numbers were down this year and I want to say this is LARGELY attributed to the hurricane. Since recruitment was held during the school week, there were a lot of scheduling conflicts for PNMs. Plus, the stress of recruitment plus studying caused many of the girls to not participate in recruitment.

AEPhiSierra, you are correct in that UCF was having an upward trend in numbers for several years prior to this year. Quota has always been in the high 60's/low 70's for over 5 years. Although this year's quota was not low by any means, it was odd to see that number for UCF who has always had very large pledge classes.

I really don't think that Pan ever voted on anything before, but I am really not sure. Last year I heard that AEPhi was colonizing here, but nothing was ever "officially" stated about it. Maybe it was just a rumor. AEPhi never came and presented or anything like that. I wasn't all that involved with Pan last year, so I am not sure what all happened. All I know is what they are doing now. Sorry I can't be more help... this has me all confused. I'll give the extension chair a call and see what's up. :)

UCF's numbers were way down. A big part of that was due to the hurricanes. We had to hold recruitment during school nights, and it is very common for undergrads to take night classes here. Many PNMs dropped because they had to go to class or couldn't handle the stress of both classes and recruitment at the same time. We also had a few problems with the new computer system.

Rockcandy-- why don't you go to the Office of Greek Life now and add yourself to the interest list? With numbers down maybe people are still offering bids this fall-- and if not what will it hurt if your name is down this fall rather than being added in the spring? But if you know you do not want to join until spring-- then I would wait!

ETA: Read BellaBerlee's thread-- she is a new member of Chi O at UCF!!
http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Best of Luck to AEPhi, SDT, and DPhiE....and speaking selfishly ;) I would love for GFB to be the second group invited to expand at UCF! Keep us posted, y'all!:)

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm kinda doing my research talking with girls to get a feel for where I might fit in the best. I might put my name down on the interest list but I really want to wait for spring since this is my first semester back at UCF from another school. I might pay a visit to the office to get some more information.

I really am a little freaked out because I'm an upper classmen. I'm still a sophmore right now but by spring I'll be a junior. I'm also waiting to see who is going to be joining UCF (personally hoping for AEPhi!). The idea of being a founding sister seems really nice.


Also, for True Blue Kappa. If they have interest groups come to the presentations how does that work? Who do they consider the interest group and how do they find them?



RC

Hijack
 

The ADPi house repairs are DONE and the residents were able to move back in this weekend!

Background: The house sustained roof damage after the deluge of hurricanes this summer, and I got to tour the newly painted and carpeted upstairs this weekend when I was in Orlando.

Kudos: Violets to the committed alumnae who serve on House Corporation for all their hard work with the insurance company and repair contractor! All the bedrooms, both upstairs and downstairs, are a newly painted golden wheat (think Tuscan) color, with tasteful white baseboards and a VERY nice new carpet. It looks more like a real bedroom than the dorm-style living I was treated to while an undergrad! Lucky girls!

/End Hijack and Best of Luck to the NPC's presenting for expansion and our PNM's as UCF's Greek Life continues to grow!

Can't wait to see what happens at UCF!

UCF
 

Not sure about the rumor last semester about which group was coming but the opportunity appeared in the NPC bulletin in May. I did not hear that #s were down - quota of 62? doesn't sound low to me!!

The groups presenting for the first round (AEPHI, SDT and DPhiE submitted packets as per Greg's email) have not offically accepted the invitation to present yet but if and when they do, presentations will be this semester with a Spring colonization.

The "interest group" has been defined to me as a group with 50 or so women who have a core leadership group in Hillel. If I was looking for these women, I would start there.

I cannot comment further and will not be able to post on this subject again until after a group is chosen.

Best of luck to the group(s) who present!!

Denise

adpiucf- I am so glad that the house is finally complete! I can't wait until you host Pan again so that I can see it :)

rockcandy- As far as the interest group goes, I would say that you should go talk to someone in Greek Affairs. I'm not sure how this whole process works...

rockcandy rush
 

Hey Rockcandy dont worry about rushing as an upperclassmen. I am not gonna lie and say it will be easy. I rushed being well over 18 and definetly not a freshmen and it worked for me. Just be aware that unfortunatly it could work against you at some houses. But in the end, you will end up where you belong and you will find a place that you can call home.

Re: UCF
 

Believe me, that's low for our school! It was an abrupt decline to an upward trend for the last 7+ years. We're excited at the opportunity to add more NPC chapters to campus, so we can PLAN for lower quotas AND more placements! :) Good luck with the presentations. This is so exciting!

What has quota been in the past, ADPiUCF? Also, when did the "boom" in the Greek System begin at UCF? Each year I hear a new sorority starting there basically-- when did the expansion really start and why was there such a sudden HIGH interest in Greek Life?

I don't think there was ever a boom. We've just always been large. There are a good number of marketing and advertising/PR majors serving on Panhellenic who do a fantastic job promoting Greek Life to non-Greeks, and the Greeks do a lot of campus workshops and activities for the school. I think a good PR campaign all-around, and a Greek Adviser who is good at his job and current on trends and training Greek leaders are reasons that the UCF Greek System is so strong and continuing to grow. We also take expansion seriously and when a new group colonizes, the existing groups help with PR and also inviting the new chapter to take part in events with them. A year or so grace period is also given to help the new chapter establish itself before a new one comes on.

UCF has always had large sorority chapters. The university was founded in 1968, and in the 70's and early 80's, sororities began colonizing, beginning with Zeta Tau Alpha. By 1995, there were 7 chapters; in 1998, there were 8 chapters, and since 2001 on, 2 more have been added, giving us:
ADPi
Alpha Xi
Tri Delta
DG
Pi Phi
ZTA
KD
Chi O
Kappa
Theta
* Alpha Chi Omega left campus in the 80s for a hazing incident. This is the only sorority to ever close on UCF campus, and we hope and look forward to it one day returning.

When I went through recruitment in 97, new member classes were in the mid-50s. Through the rest of the 90's, this was up to the mid-60's and low 70's.

Greek Life is heavily promoted to incoming students, and Greeks are very heavily active in non-Greek activities. There is a lot of Greek spirit-- you'll always see them in letters; there is even "Letter Wearing Wednesday" and most groups dress to pin on Mondays. It's a very visible part of the campus population, and a lot of the active university alumni are Greek alumni.

UCF continues to expand with Greek Life because it is widely recognized that we have a fantastic and supportive Greek system that encourages campus participation, scholastic acheivement, inter-Greek friendships, community service and leadership. In the 1990's, one Florida student leader magazine named us the Number One Greek System in the state. While it may seem overwhelming for someone from a smaller chapter, our chapters run to well over 100 members (at one time, we were close to 200), and with chapters this large and interest continuing, it is clear that there is a need for additional sororities to come on campus.

That is soooo awesome!! I wish that would happen here at Akron! I know a girl who is a Kappa Alpha Theta from UCF! I have know her since she was like 3-- but have not seen her since I found out she joined a sorority! I am sure if and/or when I see her-- we would have alot to talk about!

I know that a lot of the time colonies actually try to let SOME upperclassmen in due to their relative maturity and higher potential to be leaders. So RC if you portray the fact that you want to be a key leader in getting a colony off the ground and that the challenge of starting a new group would be exciting to you, that would be HUGE! Push your leadership desire!

I really think the biggest thing is that the Greeks work together and really work with the administration. Sure, there are anti-Greek students out there, but we require our members to be involved in 1 or more activities outside of Greek Life (our ADPi's are required to be in 2 or more) so there is a huge presence, and the "anti-Greeks" are softened up and become "pro-Greek"... 'cause we're just so darned nice. And we're everywhere. In letters. All the time. You can't avoid knowing Greeks. Greeks serve on boards with the admninstration-- they really aim to work together, and when there is a challenge to Greek Life by the administration, it is handled maturely. Admin will always have the upperhand-- it is up to the Greeks to be respectful and look for a mutually beneficial solution if a problem arises. Admin does recognize all the good things Greeks provide the school.

I still think UCF-TriDelta has the best event-- PR Week. They stand outside the student union building handing out candy and doing surveys about what the students think of Greek Life and Tri-Delta. Not sure if they're still doing this, but they did when I was a student.

During Orientation Week, incoming freshmen and transfers are treated to a 15-min Greek Life presentation. We also send out a mailing to all incoming students with the recruitment brochure.

In the past few years, a couple of fraternities have made some slip-ups that, to be honest, are a first-- and cast some stain on the Greek Community. It's a shame.

On a positive note, I do want to say I'm really proud of all the UCF sororities; they have really embraced the zero tolerance hazing policy, and their new members and prospective members never have to fear being treated unfairly or with anything not in alignment with their inter/national policies regarding membership.

I have a feeling the low quota has to do more with the inclement weather as of late. Florida Tech also had an odd turnout because we kept getting hit by hurricanes every few weeks.

I've heard that Theta Chi will be colonizing this Spring.

As for Panhellenic, I haven't heard anything.

The 3 extension presentations start tomorrow.... that's all I know.

That's exciting... I can't wait to see who it is going to be. Are they going to make the announcement this semester or wait until Spring for who it is?

Good luck ladies!

::: crossing fingers :::

I love that UCF is growing! :) Best of luck to all the presenting groups!

I can't wait to see who we get and to welcome the new girls into the greek system.

I can't wait to hear!!

Good luck to all the groups but I think everyone can guess who I am rooting for. ;)

Just found this thread since there was a related thread in the SDT Forum. Wanted to say good luck to all that are presenting *while favoring of a certain sorority ;)*

It's awesome to hear such Greek spirit. I would enjoy being there on a Wednesday just to see everyone in their wonderful letters promoting Greeks in a good light!

SDT is presenting Monday the 15th at the ADPi house.

SDT has Fla chapters at Miami, USF, Tampa, and now FSU. We had a chapter at UF, which has closed.

DPhiE and AEPhi excuse me if any of these are none existing chapters as I couldn't differentiate from your websites.

DPhiE has Miami, UF, Fla Int'l, Nova, and FAU
AEPhi Miami, UF, FSU and Jacksonville.

So all three have a lot of support in Florida in which to colonize this house!

Actually we currently have active chapters at U Florida and Jacksonville. Our chapters at Miami, Southern Florida and FSU are not currently active. But we have A LOT of alumnae in Florida.

bump!