AOPi at Arkansas
 

Any news on how bid day went? Their bid day for the new colony was yesterday.

They did pretty good I think. It was a good mix of Sophomores and Freshman. Some pretty cute freshman I do say, they were at our house last night. I have a feeling it was around 25 or so.

To sum it up in one word, AWESOME!!!!! The official release should come out soon but I am very happy about our newest colony.

Congratulations to AOPi. I graduated from Arkansas State. They have a great chapter at ASU.

We did extremely well. The number 25 could not be more wrong. I am not going to post our bid number until I have officially been cleared to do so, but I was there. Let's just say we took more than quota was at U of A. We also did not take only freshmen and sophomores, although the majority are from those classes.

Congratulations, Irishpipes and AOPi. I am wishing you years of success. When you are cleared to talk, give us the full story.

Really? that's impressive. I didn't read quota....quota was 70 some for sororities, so that is very impressive.

Talked to a Sigma Nu, said the email he got told around 90 or so.

An article originating in the September 4, 2006 Arkansas Democrat Gazette discusses sororities at the U. of Arkansas - Fayetteville, including Alpha Omicron Pi. The main focus of the story is the increasing interest in sorority life at UA, and a desire to have more chapters than previously existed there.

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/165601

The article also touches on the upcoming (slated for January 2007) addition of fraternities and sororities at the U. of Arkansas - Fort Smith (Kappa Alpha, Sigma Nu, Delta Gamma, and Gamma Phi Beta).

Just for fun, let's start randomly guessing who will come to campus in 18 months. :)

If you are serious, I am all in. :)

Wow 85 new members congrats AOPi ! Sounds like you are off to a wonderful start! What is average chapter size?

Just trying to create drama. Ha ha ha...

So to fuel the fire, Arkansas currently has:
Alpha Omicron Pi (2006 Colony)
Kappa Delta (1989)
Kappa Kappa Gamma (1925)
Zeta Tau Alpha (1903)
Chi Omega (founded here 1895)
Alpha Delta Pi (1957)
Delta Delta Delta (1913)
Pi Beta Phi (1909)

UA has had in the past:
Phi Mu (1923-1996 with a recolonization in there somewhere)
Alpha Chi Omega (1961-1977)
Delta Gamma (1930-1992)
Kappa Alpha Theta (1966-1989)

And for inquiring minds, the old Alpha Chi Omega house is now occupied by Sigma Chi. The old DG house is now "University House" but DG gets it back if they come back to campus. Don't know about Phi Mu or KAT's housing, but alumnae have said that it wasn't competitive. I don't know that for sure though.

There aren't any "empty" Greek houses so anybody new would probably have to build.

Total is 130, but some chapters have well over 200 - closer to 250.

I want theta or phi mu back. Traditional southern sororities. No offense to AOII, but it made absolutely no sense to bring them onto the campus. They have no alumni support, and are nationally a small sorority.

Oh my.

My guess is that the Univ. of Arkansas College Panhellenic voted -- and AOII was the choice. "John & Mary Everybody" don't get to vote in these decisions!

Looks like our Panhellenic Sisters at AOII are off to a great start & I wish them well.

You know that corner on Maple where the DG House is? Well, the other corner, towards Hotz and Reid Halls, is where the Theta house was. I think that maybe the Phi Mus were in there the second time they were on campus, I don't know about the first time. It was about the size of the DG house and I don't know if it's still there.

ETA: Phi Mu wasn't at Arkansas for long the first time...I used to read my aunt's old yearbooks and they weren't there in the late thirties on.

The part about "no offense to AOII" is classic.

Hmmm I know elephants never forget but never knew they were so ignorant as well.....

No, I was not serious. I thought it was interesting and ridiculous that the article suggests that 3 new sororities should be brought on starting 18 months from now. Hmmm.. Kappa Delta had 17 years to get established, but 18 months for AOII. I guess that is a compliment to AOII that somebody thinks we will be that solid in such a short time. They obviously have not talked to ElephantWalk.

ETA:Never mind.

Ignorant?

Explain to me. Please. I'm sure you won't ever come back to this thread and won't tell me how it is ignorant, but go ahead.

Being called ignorant by a regular Greekchatter is like being called racist by a liberal, you know they're losing the argument.

You do realize why they voted for it correct? One of the head people up there was an AOII from State. Instead of favoring tradition and alumn support, they went with personal preference. AOII will do excellent initially because they will find leaders. Further away, they will have problems because they lack traditions. Simply look at the social scene of the UofA! Socially, the most recently founded sororities are at the bottom (however KD is far superior over ADPi). Bring on a competitive sorority which has tradition in the UofA system such as Phi Mu or DG

edit: I have a personal preference for theta because my mom was one at another university...however the Arkansas thetas had that Asian porn super star of the early '90's, Kobe Tai.

I believe I heard that the University of Alabama is possibly getting two new sororities over the next year or two. Anyone else heard that?

Can you PM me the "head person" who is an AOII from State? I was not aware of that and am interested.

Just my opinion:

How long would a chapter have to be gone to make a successful comeback? Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, and Kappa Alpha Theta would all make nice additions. I have a feeling that Phi Mu might be wary about making a 3rd attempt at Arkansas. Now that Gamma Phi Beta is making its way into Arkansas (colonizing the new greek system at UA-Fort Smith this spring), they might be interested.

Also, like Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta has a very strong chapter at Arkansas State. They have a lot of alumns in the area; they might make a good choice.

BTW - Elephant Walk, did you transfer to Arkansas this semester?

From the Official Press Release
 

Alpha Omicron Pi Establishes Colony at the University of Arkansas

Eighty-one members of Alpha Omicron Pi at the University of Arkansas gathered together in anticipation and excitement for the first time on Tuesday evening, August 29, 2006, on the University of Arkansas campus to establish AOII’s newest colony. Like previous colonies, this AOII colony will continue to exemplify the traditions of academic excellence, philanthropy, community service, and lifelong friendships found at 180 other collegiate chapters of AOII across the United States and Canada. Alpha Omicron Pi is the eighth National Panhellenic Conference sorority to organize on the University of Arkansas campus. The AOII chapter is expected to have tremendous success over the next few years as the colony and Greek tradition grow at the University.

The University opened for extension in the fall of 2004. The University of Arkansas is a competitive public university offering 195 academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Current enrollment is approximately 17,000 with a University goal to increase enrollment to 22,500 by 2010. The University of Arkansas website hails the University as the state’s only “doctoral/research university-extensive,” as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This category is defined as producing at least 50 doctoral recipients per year. As such, the University of Arkansas is in the top tier of 150 research universities among the nation’s more than 4,000 post-secondary institutions.

The colony members at the University of Arkansas are among the top students and leaders on the campus. Their commitment to academics is evident in their average GPA of 3.35. In addition, members are involved in all areas of campus life including the Associated Student Government, Residents’ Interhall Congress, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, and numerous other honorary societies, varsity athletics, and campus organizations. Many members are also very active in philanthropic organizations and community outreach.

Vice President of Development Allison Allgier, officials from AOII International Headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee, local alumnae and collegiate members, Alumnae Advisory Council, and Corporation Board members assisted in the recruitment efforts on campus.

The next few months will be full of fun, learning and work as the University of Arkansas colony prepares itself to be installed as the 181st chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. Members will participate in weekly education sessions and sisterhood events, as well as socials, philanthropic events, and a colony retreat. They are responsible for establishing the chapter’s sub-motto and name that will typify the chapter’s unique character. There are also bylaws to write, officers to elect, and procedures to establish. The Colony Development Network Director, Linda Mahfouz, and the Colony Development Network Specialist, Brandi Nunnery, will guide the colony and continue guiding them as a chapter for the next several years, along with a dedicated Alumnae Advisory Committee and Corporation Board composed of 20 local AOII alumnae. Additionally, a Resident Consultant, Lauren Cox, will stay with the chapter through installation.

Huh? AOPi is very strong in the South. They're in all but three SEC schools, and the Tennessee chapter is their oldest active chapter.

LaneSig, I know it sounds like a cliché but every situation is different. A recent development in NPC is that when a chapter closes the organization has about a year to 18 months to redevelop without the school having to officially “open.” That helps because it removes several steps of the process.

For RM issues, a group may decide to wait a college generation or two. Low numbers could be rectified by a quick reorganization but if things are all that dire, they may wait several years too. You also have to factor in what the CPA and the university wants to do. Some schools are very anxious to replace a closed chapter and others are willing to let the dust settle a bit first. It just depends on the closure agreement the organization has with the CPA and the university.

Another factor is that when and if the time comes that a campus opens what other colonizations are on the organization’s plate and their goals. If a campus requires competitive housing and the housing runs $3 million, how many of those can the organization do in a year on top of the colonizations without housing issues? Local alumnae support is crucial and if there aren’t enough interested to fill the advisory and house corp. positions, why bother?

Yes, however I have not reaffiliated.

Alumnae support and traditions are not a make or break situation for a chapter to survive. My chapter has a VERY STRONG group less than 30 mins away with TONS of alumnae in the area... but we weren't inudated by alumnae when we started my chapter. The alumnae didn't want to leave their chapter. Our advisors were alumnae who had home chapters far away from home. There was a handful but not an over abundance.

Also one of the great things about starting a chapter is that you get to be apart of the new traditions. I worried sometimes what it would have been like to have joined an established chapter with established traditions but to be honest I enjoyed the beginning.

So I think that a new colony can survive without alot of alumnae support and without estabished traditions. Adding a chapter also makes a campus change some of its old traditions... I know that at Georgetown, my colonizing group started the tradition of taking chapter pictures on the college sign and now chapters that have been estabished for 30 plus years are doing this... so....

CONGRATS TO AOP and all the NEW COLONIZING MEMBERS!!!!

I have no doubt that they will survive. However, their standing will be questionable for at least 50 years. Even then Chi-O and others will have a century and a half of tradition.

EW,

I am still trying to follow your logic. You say Phi Mu would do better b/c it is a "traditional southern sorority" yet they have tried twice and have not succeeded-why would it work a third time? And I personally would not say Theta is a southern sorority.

Congrats to AOPi-wishing you years of success at Arkansas.

Thank you all for your warm wishes. Our new members are very excited and so are we.

Thank you to everyone who wishes AOII such great things at Arkansas! I know the new members of the new colony are the best of the best! I also know many of their advisers and the colony is in good hands with some of the best alumnae! GO AOII!

I have two questions: (1) Can someone identify the "traditional Southern sororities"? (2) Is my daughter's sorority Delta Zeta (DZ) "strong" in the South in terms of tradition, geographical presence, and alumnae support?

As a former history major, I appreciate learning the history and dynamics of traditional institutions, such as sororites, societies, and other organiztions.

BamaDad,
I don't consider DZ a traditional southern sorority in terms of chapters and alumnae support, however it does have some good chapters in the SEC (I know a few of the DZ girls at bama a year above your daughter, all good friends).

No, I would say Phi Mu would do better because it has alumni, along with Theta and DG. Not necessarily because it is southern, but because it has history and tradition on the campus however spotted it may be. However, AOPi has no tradition on campus.

Partially the reason I consider Phi Mu, Theta, Chi-o, traditional Southern sororities, is because their chapters dominate on campuses throughout the SEC, Texas - Big 12, and Mid-Atlantic of the ACC. Consider Phi Mu at LSU, Chi-O at Arkansas, Theta at SMU (if they're still on anymore). I could go on and on, those sororities tend to dominate the Southern social scene. That's why one could consider KA and SAE traditional Southern fraternities. (however theirs are more multifaceted, founded in the South, still respect the Old South, so on). SAE and KA dominate in Texas and throughout the south.

Just a note - sometimes you get better results with no "tradition" than with spotted "tradition".


ETA: Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. From the photos I've seen and the things I have heard we have an excellent group of women at Arkansas, and a lot of dedicated Alums.

You heard that they MIGHT think about it. Any sorority going on there has to ask the university a multi-million dollar question: "Where do we build a house?" It would have to be close to the other sorority houses, and have some visibility...there just is no place right now. And odds are that with the successful opening of the new stadium entrance, the university will gobble up the land that the Thetas and AOPis are sitting on...not now...but probably in the next 5 to 10 years.

BamaDad DZ -

Without trying to open a can of worms, I will try and answer your questions. Know that these are my thoughts and opinions, others on here (especially the ladies since this is the sorority recruitment section) might disagree.

#1 The "traditional Southern sororities" are usually considered the ones found in the "traditional South" (ie those that lost the War of Northern Aggression).
The ones that come to my mind are: Phi Mu, Alpha Delta Pi, Zeta Tau Alpha, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta, and Chi Omega. I also consider Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Sigma Sigma since they are part of the Farmville Four (the 4 sororities founded at Longwood College in Virginia. The other 2 are KD and ZTA). I am probably forgetting one or two (or 3 or 4) sororities.
Others consider the "traditional Southern sororities" to be sororities that have a very strong presence at schools in the south. That would include the above list in addition to Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Alpha Omicron Pi, and others I am sure that I am forgetting (my apologies to anyone I have left out). Traditionally, most sororities do very well in the south.

#2 - Delta Zeta, while founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, has done very well in the south. They have strong alumnaes everywhere. Of their 165 chapters, 46 are at schools in the south. Like every sorority (and fraternity), they have very strong chapters, smaller chapters, and chapters that struggle. Everyone has them. DZ is a great sorority and your daughter (from your posts) is justifiably proud for joining a great organization.

An interesting note: the "traditionally" Southern Phi Mu chapter at an SEC school just took in an entire pledge class from the state the school is in. Every single new member! Any guesses to which school it was???:p

Aggie, I've heard people include Theta, AXO and Kappa when they say "strong southern sororities." Isn't that weird? Theta and AXO were both founded at DePauw and I believe KKG was founded in IL.

So what is it? Are you considered a strong Southern sorority if you have a strong presence at SEC/southern schools (and old chapters, as most of the Southern chapters of Theta/Kappa/Alpha Chi are)? Or do you have to be actually founded in the south?


It's very interesting to think about. Best of luck to AOPi as well :)