non-Greek campus--can that be changed?
 

First of all, let me say that I hope to post more often--especially now that my Initiation into Gamma Phi Beta is official as of two weeks ago! It took 15 years, and was definitely worth it. I'm wearing my new letters proudly. :D

And I've done a search on this topic, so if I've missed it somehow, feel free to flog me! But the college here, Southwest Minnesota State University, is non-Greek, and I'm not sure why that is.

Is there any way that can be changed? I can only imagine what good having Greek organizations would do not only for our campus, but also for the community and area as a whole. You'd think, with SMSU's standing as the #1 public liberal arts college in the Midwest (for several years running now, according to US News and World Report), that someone would've thought to introduce Greek organzations in an effort to offer students even more opportunities.

Is that something that's decided by the state’s regents, or the college administration themselves? Does that change, and how? Would I be best to start with the college itself, or the National Panhellenic Council to see what they say (please, correct my usage of that orgnization!)? Or do the students decide that they don’t want Greek organizations on campus?

I would love to see the start of something on this campus, and have ZERO idea where to begin. All input is welcome!

Wow, these are all very good questions.

I think it depends on the adminstration of the school and at the state level as well. There are various different reasons why colleges don't have Greek Life. Both my brothers and my mom attend Liberty University, and they do not have Greek Life due to what they believe to be a conflict of beliefs. At one time or another, SUNY school systems could not have any national Greek organization on their campuses but local organizations were allowed (at least this was the case for SUNY-Buffalo).

I would go to the school first, and find out why they do not have Greek Life. Maybe they had it at one point and they banned it. I wouldn't go to NPC unless the school is definitely interested in hosting a Panhellenic council.

One of the (few) things I remember from my (8am boring as anything) economics class was the relationship between supply and demand. If you can get enough students together to support the idea of bringing a GLO or two (or three) to campus, it may prove easier than you might think to make it happen. Good luck!

State schools cannot bann greek life. IT is a right of freedom of assemblage. Also, there was something (bill or whatever) in congress/senate a few years back and well it passed. So, basically greek life is now protected under the first amedment, did not know they had to pass a bill to include greek life under the first amendment.


Anyway, supply and demand is a good interpretation. Also, there has to be people to get started. In my opinion getting started is harder than maintaining an ongoing process. So, what i am saying is that students would be needed to get the process going. Once you have the process going i think that it would be easier to get students involved.

Good luck,
debbie

PS, does your school have any good graduate programs in biology? i would be interested. (yeah i am always trying to narrow down my grad school search)

Debbie, I'm not sure of the biology-specific grad program, but there are many master's programs to check out (and biology may be included). The website is www.southwest.msus.edu

15 years?!

She was an alumni initiate.

-Rudey

hey, my grandfather waited 50 for his initiation! :)

I just got on. Thanks for the link, i will look through it when i have more time and not so tired.
debbie

So i can be really slow at times.

I have heard of faculty at universities wearing their sororities pins and talking about their sorority and women who are interested talked to the facult and the faculty was the one who instigated the formation of the first sorority on the campus. Maybe if you just wore your pin and knew some women and talked to the women about how wonderful your organization is and what sorority life is like then maybe you can peak some interests.

Just a thought.

It can and does happen!:)

Pat O'Rielly a Brother LXA from FIT. Fl. was attending Grad School at Un. Wyoming. Some guys saw Him wearing His Letters and stopped Him to ask about what they ment.

They started a Local interest group and are now a Full Chartered Chapter.:)

If there is enough interest by a large enough group, present yourselves to The College and The National. I did just that in 1965.

Have been involved for 40 Years.:D :cool:

I'd suggest approaching the Student Activities Director with the idea. You should use the position that having social GLO's on campus, if handled correctly, could be a win for everyone involved- good for the students, because have a social outlet, good for the school, because it helps recruiting, good for the community, if the GLO's do philanthropic things.

If the administration supports it, you can take it to the student body to form interest groups to start working the issue. Or, contact national orgs with some local connection (strong alumni base helps) and see of they would be interested in colonizing.

Takes a lot of leg work (mostly yours), but sounds like it would be worth it.

Also, when ready, you can approach the hall goverments about speaking at the hall meetings. I say when ready cause i think that you should get a few women who are interested and then go talk to the hall goverments.

I am not sure how your school works, but both of my schools you could make arrangements to speak at the goverment meeting about opportunities for students. THere are a lot of places and things that can be done, depending on how your school works. IE: you and a small group (cause you should not do this on your own) could sponser some type of activity, again depending on what would work at your school. Lets say a welcome back bbq for women. Well, you could go to the resident hall association and ask for money to pay for food and flyers for the event. then you could use this to promote your organization.

Anyway, this is of course a simple idea that i don't want to go into a lot of details. And this all depends on your school, as in if you have a residence Hall Association and your schools rha provides money for this type of event. I use this as an example of couse it all depends on what is available and would be welcomed at your school. I was on RHA and at my school we gave out money to support events that were for the student body. and especially the residence halls. I also have been involved in a variety of activities where i have had to workhard to find support and get students involved so i have some experience. YOu would know your school better than i would and knowwhat types of activities would go over well.

If i think of anything i will post here and let you know.

Liz, you have been given some pretty good advice but I will add just add two more things. 1. Make sure that whomever you speak with understands that you are inquiring only for personal knowledge and that you are not speaking on your sorority's behalf. 2) If the administration is interested in developing GL, they should contact the national umbrella association for the proper procedures.

In regard to NPC extension, there have been several campuses, both public and private, that have opened recently for the first time. One campus has been open for two years now and so far, no one has touched it.

If you have any questions, PM me. I have been involved with extension for several years.

Very well said.........:)

aopirose, Does this include NPH and NIC?

Please PM Me!:)

I will say this. If a campus is opening to (inter)national GL for the first time and is administratively driven, it would behoove the administration to get in touch with the appropriate umbrella associations like NPC, NPHC, NIC, etc. These associations provide a good foundation and offer useful programming and ideas for the promotion of GL.

If a campus is opening to (inter)national GL for the first time and is student driven, it is still beneficial for the administration to contact the appropriate umbrella association.

Now, the selection of a particular group or groups is dependant upon the precepts of the umbrella organization. NPC groups have step-by-step procedures that must be followed. The NIC, from reading its constitution, has an open expansion approach. As long as the host institution is OK with it, everything is fine. (I know that there are exceptions like Santa Clara but generally speaking...) The NPHC, as far as I can tell, works similarly to the NIC in this regard. However, the best source of information regarding NIC or NPHC expansion is to contact NIC and NPHC directly.

Hey I go to MSU, Mankato....

I know my friend who used to be a Kappa Sigma here and is going to grad school there is looking to start a chapter (of Kappa Sigma) there (as in Southwest State) as well.

I believe a greek community, on that campus, if it ever got started, would do very well. I have been to Marshal.... growing community with not much to do. Greek life would definitly add a spark.

BTW: Congrats on getting initiated

How funny you should post this question now! The town that I'm thinking of relocating to has the same issue. It is a small state school with no NPC. There is representation by all of the NPHC, and I've been in contact with the Student Life Director trying to get more information. Right now I'm waiting to get demographic/population information from him to see if it's even worth a go. He has been very friendly, and he has said that the campus is open to student groups of any and all kinds. The prospect, however, is very exciting.

Some interesting news! Evidently, in the 70s, there WAS a GLO on the SMSU campus. It was a local (whose letters escape memory right now) which joined with Tau Kappa Epsilon. According to the woman with whom I spoke, the chapter folded in just a few years--evidently not much interest, as I gather.

So I think this is promising! The lady, who was really nice, gave me the name of the orgs./activities director, and he's someone I know.

This could get interesting. . . :D

I really feel like if the students wanted Greek organizations on a campus, they'd do something to make it happen. Greek Life is pretty active at a lot of other state schools in MN (the U, St. Cloud...) so I'm sure these students are aware of it.

After all, all of our organizations got started because our founders sensed a need. :D

definitely get the support of Student Activities. Greeks started at my campues when i was a junior/senior. they formed an expansion council and worked with the umbrella orgs and student activities for all the presentations and to decide on who to bring. it was quite a bit of work as they colonied NPC, NIC and NPHC chapters all at once.

good luck! it sounds very exciting!

Yes, GeekP is correct up to a certain extent.

But, a College, that had nothing But Locals decided to go with Nationals. Yea Us!

There is "Almost" Never a nay except for a few Schools. Of course, there are many disclaimers as they are! Oh, We dont Recognize Greeks, "But, They are here"!

But Remember, Greek Adisors if there are any (?) pass this on. Do any of You think that Schools dont keep in touch with each other?:rolleyes:

While I can only speak for Greeks Who have posted on GC, LXA did Colonize at a Certain HSB School, they are now Chartered, and had help from the Local HSB GLOs.

Does that seem anti Greek or Greeks working toghether?

Trust me... you dont necesarilly need the aproval of the college to start up a greek organization. At Maryville College in Tennessee DKE started an underground chapter there under very harsh circumstances thrown at them by their administration. DKE has always been a very secretive elitist Fraternity, and for that reason, they were not detered by policies threatening expulsion from the college. In fact, the mystique of secrecy we have held has made our prestige and influece on campus even greater. For example, in the past five years our chapter has won the SGA presidency 4 out of 5 times.
Now five years later, I am proud to say that the Deke chapter at Maryville is alive and well and already pumping out some very influencial local political campaign managers and businessmen. Not too shabby after just 5 years.

www.mxdke.org

not a good way to start out if you hope to have positive relations with the university. in some cirmcumstances, this may be good. in most, i would say not. greeks should want to have the support of the administration, not be looked at as that fraternity who could care less about university policy. get the university on your side - it can help you down the road.

I believe most of us are assuming liz wants to start looking at bringing NPC chapters to campus and NPC has very detailed guidelines at how to go about that. no undergrounds would be tolerated by NPC.

I think SMSU was one of the schools I looked at...Or it was some public lib arts school in Min. (I'm from WI)

Anyhow, what I remembered was that the school was very commuter orientated and that could create an obstacle because of the communting times in that region. I mean I know people who commute an hour to UW-Stout and that in the middle of winter. Not the point, but if you are able to help bring a system onto campus, keep your meetings and events commuter friendly, but then I might be thinking of a different school...Sorry work is crazy busy. :)
Good Luck!

Actually, greek life in all forms is strictly forbiden at Maryville College. Starting our chapter this way was our only option. Its very Remaniscent of what fraternities were in the late 1800s.


www.mxde.org - go to the history section for more info

sorry... its actually - www.mxdke.org