Kansas State great for greeks
 

K-State. one of two of the first Morrill Grant schools (Penn State the other) has a wonderful greek system. Housing good, the girls'
groups all 115 or more. Ten fraternities had top awards from their
nationals. Much local respect. Theta Chi and boy Pi Phis have done a great job going on KU; ZTA has dead chapter at KSU, so
does Tri Sigma. A Phi and DG never been there. Wonderful place
for Sig Tau, Phi Sig Kappa (dead). Very few inactive ones, though.
Consider Kansas State University, Manhattan...it is a goodie, might be best in old "Big 8" You all are missing out by not being on this campus...bug your extension folk...good place to be. We
carp about unfriendly campi for the greeks...Well, troops, this is
certainly NOT the case here...Y'all come

i can vouch ... and it has aggiville ... the happy purple place ... go kats\

EC (hey, welcome back!) makes some good points. Incidentally, Kansas State has a recent news release about its Beta Theta Pi chapter, which recently earned some of Beta's highest awards:

http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WE...tapi83105.html

I agree that K-State has a generally well-respected Greek system. On one point, though, I'd part company with EC a little -- I'd be cautious about encouraging NPC sorority expansion there quite yet.

Despite having quite a few old, strong and well-regarded sorority chapters, Kansas State can, I think, be a pretty brutal place when it comes to new sororities on the block. In the past 35 years these sororities have been colonized, chartered, and then closed:

Delta Zeta

Sigma Sigma Sigma

Alpha Gamma Delta.

In addition, one sorority closed in the 1990s, but has returned. In all cases, the primary reason for the closures was low numbers.

And, as EC mentioned, ZTA was there, but closed around 1940/41, a victim of the Depression, most likely.

The Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma won Most Outstanding Chapter at the 2004 Convention, plus numerous awards at the Zeta Province convention in February of this year.

All the Gamma Alpha Kappas I've met have been exemplary women.

I think along with Mizzou, K-State is probably one of the few Midwestern Greek communities (especially with regards to sororities) that is similar to the South in terms of strength, recruitment and tradition.

K-STATE
 

Black groups have come to K-State, quietly, and gone the same;
the sororities who've folded have generally done so as a result
of a poor colonization. Forgot to mention others who'd likely do
well, like Alpha Sigma Phi. Many absent ones would thrive, like circle-bar-x (Theta Chi), et al.
And often existing groups will build a ne house when the old is good, can snapped up by others who'll shoot up at once in
terms of size, like Lambda Chi, Delta Chi. Generally the ones
who've folded did so from either lack of service or poor rushing.
No excuse for having one die here. Also, Beta is a great chapter
but only one of MANY great chapters here...TKE has been IM champ 17 of 18 years, for example; SAE perennial power, and it
is hard to get anyone to name top chapter, as there are so many.
No excuse for failure here if desire to succeed is present. Repeat,
this is a great place...Administration not limpdicks at K-State. and
perennial rival, KU good system but very snooty...Beta has been
scholarship king since lord-knows-when on the beautiful campus.

I agree.

And tangentially related to your mention of Gamma Alpha's recognition by KKG -- just a few years ago the K-State chapter (Kansas Beta) of Pi Beta Phi was recognized as the top Pi Phi chapter in the country.

The Beta's at KSU just won the John Reily Knox Award (three time recipient) - the highest award given to any Beta chapter. This year, nine of our chapters won it, so as you can see, it's not easy to get.

Beta took 5th in grades this year I believe and won Intramurals.

This is their site, very informative:

KSU Beta's

While to some, Kansas State Un. is on The Plains of Kansas, it is not.

It has some of The Finest Chapters of many Great Greek Organizations and all have won many National awards.

They have Beautiful Houses that are being constantly updated and continually show what the Stuff they are made of:D

They represent the best of all of us and I respect them for that.:cool:

good for them....

Re: Kansas State great for greeks
 

So, are you actively recruiting Alpha Phi and DG, or are you also interested in the 9 other NPCs that you didn't mention? :)

(AEPhi, AOII, ASA, AST, DPhiE, SDT, Phi Mu, Phi Sigs, TPA)

Edited to add 2 other NPCs

Kansas State is actually one of my DREAM re-colonizations for Sigma. :)

irishpipes...K-State
 

I am not recruiting for anyone and am simply an old alum who is
interested in history. HOWEVER...I certainly would give a hefty preference to previous groups...like Tri Sigma, ZTA, et al. who have been on the campus previously, and would likely prefer to
have others who've demonstrated a modicum of success in the
Sunflower state. The omitted ones have not, but were left out
simply because I did not think of them...that's all. There are a few
men's groups for one reason or another I did not mention; the
citations of Theta Chi and Pi Kappa Phi were made out of regard for their present operation. Nothing, though, intended to 'recruit'
was intended, and all would certainly be welcome. I do not think
the so-called multi-cultural groups would fare well at K-State as
Manhattan seems to be quite open to all as it is now.

Hey EC, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I know that is how things work. I am just thinking that some smaller groups wonder how they can get on these larger campuses, and they can't if the preference is always given to the larger national groups. I would argue that one of the groups you mentioned does not have any notable strength in Kansas (no offense to them), but is just better known nationally than some of the other NPCs. (In fact they have relatively recently closed at KU, as has mine.)

I know that groups need to show local alumnae support in order to be chosen for colonization, and I am glad that many campuses give preference to groups with existing charters. This does, however, further the vicious cycle that the big just get bigger. But who said all was fair in life or the NPC? Just random thoughts.

Re: Kansas State great for greeks
 

It's not boy Pi Phis it's Pi Phi for Guys. Put downs need to be catchy so they can catch on a national level. Why anyone would call us that in a post that is supposed to in all accounts compliment our success at K State is beyond me.

just like in formal recruitment, it all comes down to appeal. when groups make presentation for consideration to colonize at a campus, the existing panhellenic, specific administrators of the campus and others attend information presentations by the groups invited there. i would think that things considered would be how well that group would fit onto the campus, what their plan of action is, alumni support and recognition among others.

when npc learns of a panhellenic opening a notice is sent to all npc members and the member organizations, if they are interested, can send material to that panhellenic for consideration. the panhellenic reviews the information, takes a vote and the top "x" are invited to make presentations.

I thought Erik got to pick. My bad.

...and...

Most universities would like to keep *their* alumni happy. Happy alumni equates to the potential for more donations to the university.

Thus *in general*, when it comes to the campus NPC looking at expansion, GLOs that were previously on campus are looked on favorably. Regardless of their size nationally. Consideration is usually next given to those GLOs with a strong alumni base in the area. While this may favor the "larger groups", only if they have a large alumni base in the area.

As an example, fraternity expansion at The University of Kentucky. Currently two fraternities - Delta Chi and Triangle - are recolonizing. Both were on campus from 1914 and 1920 respectfully until the mid to late 1980's (early 1990s?) when they lost their houses due the University needing the land. As such, they were un-housed (may have had temporary residency) and their numbers decreased until they closed. Both fraternities have a long and lustrous history with UK (think alumni) and as such, the UK administration was eager to work with these two fraternities to have their chapters return to UK. (happy alumni give to university) Now before these two fine fraternities began their recolonization, three other fraternities were able to successfully colonize at UK: Phi Kappa Psi, Delta Sigma Phi and Pi Kappa Phi. Only two had chapters in the Commonwealth thus a smaller alumni support system than perhaps other fraternities. Yet all had the support needed by their HQs (and UK) so that they would survive. As such, all three seem to be doing well. Thus more happy alumni who will now give back to the University.

On the sorority side, over the years, five chapters have closed. Two have a long history with UK and might be considered the *more likely* candidates for expansion. But at the same time, the other three, as well as other sororities, have strong alumni base - many in the area - to help and support any (re)colonization. As such, I would venture to guess that these factors - strong UK alumni base, strong GLO base - would be given the appropriate weight when considering expansion. And frankly, some of these GLOs might be considered "small groups" nationally. Yet they have a historical alumni base to support expansion (recolonizing) at UK.

So on a campus like Kansas State, with a strong Greek system, I would venture to guess that the above scenarios - strong campus alumni base, strong GLO base locally - would apply as well.

K State
 

The DU CHAPTER AT K State is strong ,always a winnner of awards at the national convention ,good size and good quality. The chapter was one of the first to break away from old fashioned pledgeship and move toward a membership devolpment model of four year education and it shows in retention, alumni involvment etc. Terry Bullock Kansas State 1961 is a past DU President I met him at convention and an alumni gathering very impressive man.

boy Pi Phis
 

The term "Boy Pi Phis' was the only moniker I knew of as regards
Pi Kappa Phi 'back then. They had no chapters in Kansas, few in
the midwest; I ran across none as a TKE field man and while I did
not travel the south, the term was used to distinguish them from
Pi Beta Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha and Pi Kappa Sigma. Actually, the term
was used not as a derogatory...Pi Phi, as girls, not bad...so Pi Phi
as boys, not bad either. Sorry you feel that way. At any rate I
think Pi Kappa Phi is doin' right well these days...Cheers!
Tri Sigma did not get a good start at K-State and they have three
pretty good chapters in Kansas, two tops, so another try would be in order. Get better colonizers, though, please.
Small nationals can become good chapters, look at AKL at Mizzou,
AST was for years one of the top groups at Emporia. Historically
Jewish groups have a tough time at middle size and small campi
in the midwest. KU for example, had unsuccessful Jewish chapters for years 'cause the Betas and Tekes snapped up most
of the outstanding rushees of the Jewish faith. And there were no Jewish sororities despite the closeness to Kansas City.
We are in another transitional phase, Greek-wise, and we will all
emerge stronger and wiser...we hope.

I know how this works - I have had the pleasure of assisting with one of our colonizations. I think it is wonderful that preference is given to groups with a history on the campus. I know how recolonizations are a source of joy to the alumnae. No one wants to have closed chapters so every recolonization is wonderful.

As for the alumnae base - of course this is important. Chapters without it have a much greater chance at failure. But, who is going to have that? GLOs that already are big in the state. If ABC has a chapter at KU that is turning out 50 new alumnae every year, isn't it more likely to have alumnae in Manhattan (K State) than XYZ that doesn't have a chapter in state? So, of course, ABC is chosen for colonization and now ABC is even stronger in Kansas and XYZ seems even smaller. It only makes sense, and that is why it happens. I'm not even saying that it should be done any differently, necessarily. It is just commentary and I feel for groups that just can't get a foothold in an area that they would like.

Congratulations on being envolved with AOPi. :)

But, I dont think what Erik was saying was to miss anyone of The Major Female GLOs.

He is just stating Fact about Who was there and Who want to be First in Line to try to Recolonize at said or any school.

Usually those that were there will have the first look because of the Alum Base.

Unless a New Possible GLO wants to try to colonize on a Campus, they better have deep pockets to withstand the tuff times of low Membership without a House.

You are very correct, unless there is a strong foothold with Alums in The Area who are willing then, it would be a doomed propasition!

K-State's Top Chapters
 

It might be interesting to list those Greeks who have "Top"
Chapters at Kansas State. There must be several, and it is
difficult to categorize. Some may try, and personal preferences
may overrule one over another...I might go so far to say KSU
has more top chapters than likely anyone, and fewer bottom ones. The ladies groups are similar. Greek housing is great at
K-State, not all old ivy-covered manses nor Roman-pillared, but
comfortable and tasteful. I think the chapters take pride in the
care of the houses. I would be hard pressed to single out very
many as sub-standard. Wish this would catch on at CU and other
places...the filth, the second-rate shacks, the beer cans, trash abounding--which sickens old timers....oh, well, Kansas State may
not be as cool as the eastern boys or the west coast surfers, but
they will survive. Oh, yes, in the mid 50s there were a goodly number of New Yorkers and New Jersey students who matriculated to Kansas and other midwestern schools. Their states would not accommodate them, varied reasons. Some of
them were quite haughty and this Kansan reminds folks that
they brought us two things: white buck shoes & shoplifting.

OMG, E, "White Buck Shoes"!!!!

Please say You never had a pair of those damn things!!!!!:)

True about mostly East Coasters coming to the Mid-West, not only Large U's but State Colleges as well.

While KSU has had and lost GLOs on both sides He and Shes, they are pretty stable and all very desirable to join. They do have very Nice Houses and while not as Large of NIC and NPH Chapters as some, they are consititanly very well regarded with in each GLO Organization.

But of course, Regions where certain GLOs are stong and others where they are not would have trouble at any Campi with No Local Chapters and Alums.

Erik and I both wish We had the Problem at My old Alma Mater.:(

I hope We can rid our selves of the current Greek Life Adviser and get one more progessive in place. Smallest Greek Community in Kansas of any State College!:(

I'll also throw in that the Greek Advisor position at K-State is probably the highest paying one in the country...

Maybe not, but I would jump all over it if they would have Me!:cool:

Hell, I been to Aggieville and had a quaff or two-----!:)