Help Finding a non-NPC Sorority to Affiliate With!
 

Hey Everyone! This is my first post on here, so please bear with me. :) Myself and a group of girls at my college are attempting to bring a new sorority onto our campus. We have, in essence, been told that we cannot bring a new NPC sorority to campus, so we are looking into the possibility of a local organization. Ideally, we would like to have other groups either nationally or locally that we could talk to, meet up with, and share traditions and rituals with. The problem is, we're having a lot of trouble figuring out what our options are! It seems like a lot of the databases with lists of locals and national GLOs have many broken links, or don't list many schools near us. So, myself and the girls were hoping that you could give us some suggestions of sororities that you either belong to, or know of, in our area for us to get into contact with! We're from Ramapo College of NJ, which is in Mahwah, NJ. :)

Thanks in advance for all your help!

usually your greek life advisor would be able to help you out with something like this. I know that at my school our advisor has a book with a TON of organizations that are not included in the NPC. my advisor was nice enough to let me flip through that book. but you can always do an online search for sororities in the Multi cultural council. As well as other independant groups.

I'm confused by your post...

It's titled "looking for a non-NPC sorority to affiliate with" and then in your post you say you're looking into forming a local organization. Which do you want to do?

If you are looking solely for support, check out the Locals and Up and Coming Nationals forums on here. There's also a post in the U & C forum with links to groups, if you want to become a chapter of one of those groups.

As an aside, unless you become a chapter of a regional or national sorority, I don't believe any of them are going to "share traditions and rituals" with you. Develop your group's own traditions and rituals for the time being. Imitation is a form of flattery, but not in this case.

I could be totally wrong, but visions of a tie in an already existing thread come to mind...(I just hope that this isn't the group that already had that Facebook group).

You're not.

To rcnjinterest:

If there are already other NPCs on campus, have you participated in formal recruitment? While it may be alluring to start up something brand new, your campus already has 8 sororities (I recognize 4 as NPCs) and I'm wondering why you've been "told" that you can't bring a new NPC to campus. Is it because national orgs have been struggling to keep quota up in recent years? If so, then I would think very strongly about why you think your campus could support another group. Are you *truly* filling a niche not being filled, or have you discounted existing groups based on their stereotyped reputations on campus?

Keep in mind that starting up and keeping a new group on campus takes a lot of work (likely more work than fixing a couple problems with an already established group) and it isn't just work that will need to be done by you and the girls you've got right now... it will be a lot of work for girls who will be on campus 5 years from now after you've left, and it would be a shame to see a group die out when its enthusiastic founders graduate. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons and you've already checked out the campus's current options before you take on such a challenge.

(And I'm also wondering if this poster is part of the Facebook group of girls mentioned in another thread)

For the OP, just in case you're confused with some of these posts: http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=91931

I found this interesting... Ramapo "suggests" new students interested in sororities and fraternities ask these questions on their greek website (http://www.ramapo.edu/studentlife/st...eek/index.html):

Each fraternity or sorority has their own ideals and traditions which make them unique. Below are some common questions that one might ask when meeting them to find out more about their Greek organization.

• How many brothers/sisters do you have?
• How much does it cost to be a member?
• Do you have a philanthropy?
• When where you founded?
• Do you have a mascot?
• Will pledging affect my grades?
• How long does pledging take?
• What happens if I decide not to pledge after rushing?
• Do you haze your pledges
• Can I still hang out with my other friends once I am a brother/sister?
• Do you ever arrange off-campus activities?
• What if I decide not to pledge after I start pledging?
• Do Greeks get academic recognition?
• Do you sponsor any activities on campus?
• Has your fraternity/sorority received any special honors?
• Why did you pledge?

While some of these questions are good, the first one is to suggest that they ask about numbers! I can't imagine how hard it is for every group besides the largest one to recruit in this kind of environment. How crappy when the school itself is implying that you want to join the one with the most numbers (which will probably be the hardest to get into).

See, I didn't take it that way at all. I think they're more saying that "if you want to be in a bigger group, look at the NPCs. If you want to be in a smaller group, look at the non-NPCs." Plus, these are questions for guys AND girls. Some guys want to be in the biggest fraternity, some want to be in the smallest. I don't think the school is implying "bigger is better" at all.

We do not have a facebook group, so the answer to that question is a definite no. I do however have a feeling that I know the group you're talking about, but I believe they were interested in an NPC affiliated organization.

I think I want to hear the answer to this before this thread gets any farther...

We're not looking to steal/imitate someone else's hard work and progress with an organization that has already been founded. We're trying to figure out if there is a local group interested in expansion, or a national glo which represents the values we stand for that we could create a colony and become a part of. If not, we're going to go the route of creating our own, original organization. A majority of the girls, myself included, think that having other chapters at different institutions is something that we would like to be a part of.

Both myself and the other original founder of our group of girls have gone through formal recruitment. I recieved a bid to one of the npc groups on campus, but it was not one that I was interested in being a part of for various reasons. After attending what we were told was the "largest recuitment process ever" at our school, many sororities took very small pledge classes and many girls were "unchosen". It happened that many of those girls were ones with whom I had bonded with through the week of recruitment. It is because of this that some of us felt that there was a need for another option to be brought to campus.

You're right that we have eight sororities currently on campus, four being NPCs. The other four are multicultural and have their own recruitment processes and regulations. After talking with the ONE greek life staff member we have at our school, she told us that she had contacted NPC, and as you presumed, she was told that our four groups were not meeting quota and as such they did not want to bring a competiting group onto campus at this time. We thought this was kind of interesting, considering what we were told at the time of recruitment.

And I agree, I wouldn't want to start something just to see it dissolve a few years after I've graduated. Our interest group as of now has different grade levels involved, so hopefully that would help to combat that issue, but I don't think there's really any guarantee.

Anyway, like I said I'm really just starting to research the non-npc options so I apologize if my post was awkward or unclear. As one of the "leaders" so to speak of our group, I offered to sort of head up the investigation.

OP I do think you seem to have your head on straight. I believe there's a list of other non-NPC sororities somewhere on GC, but one you may be interested in is Kappa Beta Gamma, they're a smaller national sorority that you may find fits with your values. I'd suggest researching and contacting other local/regional sororities in your surrounding area (the size of which would depend on your own discretion) about your interest in forming a new chapter.

Normally I am all for new locals and people starting new groups if warranted, but it seems odd to me that they won't allow another NPC because of numbers but they will go ahead and ok another sorority. That really won't improve the situation for the NPC groups, or the other sororities on campus, and given all that the current orgs have invested to be on campus I would hope they would honor that first.

Why not approach one of the existing orgs as a group and offer a "merger" of sorts? Sometimes recruitment just isn't run correctly and it causes all kinds of issues with women going unmatched. If the groups are as hard off as you seem to indicate, I would think they might jump at the chance to add a whole group of friends to the mix who are interested in making a difference for Greek life.

Otherwise, you have have your work cut out for you. GOOD LUCK!

The rules for allowing another NPC on campus are specific and laid down by the NPC. A non-NPC sorority wouldn't have to jump through the same hoops.

I think it might help to be a bit more specific if you want help seeking additional resources. You mentioned you would like to affiliate with a group that shares the same values the women of the interest group have. So what are those values. You've seemed to already rule out the other four organizations on your campus, so I'm assuming your looking for a NPC like recruitment process?? I would think you should be looking at at small national or a regional sorority as locals don't tend to do much expansion.

Because of the proliferation of sooo many organizations I would suggest doing tons of research because I can almost guarantee there is an organization out there that share the same ideals that you women have.

Do you know for a FACT that these other girls were not given bids by ANY sorority, or did they turn down bids or drop out before the end of rush?

"I didn't like the options I had so I quit before pref" or "I turned down the bid because I didn't like the sorority" does not equal "unchosen."

Yes, I am well aware of why she is looking for a non-NPC national. Her school does not allow locals and the NPCs have essentially voted "no" to expansion. I don't think jumping through another hoop to get around the NPC vote is really fair or a good idea. The Greek Life person needs to support the existing sororities first.

Where'd you get this bit of information? The OP said in her first post that they were looking at locals.

Sorry but NPC isn't the end all be all of sorority life. Perhaps on this campus multicultural sororities fare better than NPC chapters. There's nothing "fair" or "unfair" about it. These girls are, apparently, not interested in joining an existing chapter, and would like to affiliate, if possible, with an existing organization.

Outside of the NPC world "fair" is not necessarily an issue. It's freedom of association. They're following the campus rules and shouldn't be prohibited from starting a new organization simply because the NPCs on campus (50% of the sororities) aren't ready to expand.

I can't say that I do, because I don't know them all personally.

There is some sort of confusion on our campus regarding the allowance of Locals which is currently being investigated. A multicultural sorority originated here only six years ago, so locals were at least recently allowed. One of our girls is speaking to our school's Greek adviser about this, hopefully tomorrow, in order to get a clear answer on this.

My opposition has nothing to do with NPC or non-NPC---I was part of a local that colonized with an NPC during my undergraduate years, so I have no bias and I believe there is a place for local organizations on some campuses. If this was a campus of all local organizations that voted not to allow expansion because several were not at total or otherwise struggling, I would say the same thing. Campuses need to invest in those who have invested in them--in this case, the groups that already exist. And while sometimes a new group can infuse the system with energy, it is my understanding that the "system" has essentially voted 'no' and there shouldn't be a loop hole around it.

Now, if this was to found a multicultural where none existed or a service organization where none existed to fill a need, that might be different. But that's not what these women want to do, so I go back to the campus should support the existing groups first.

You're ignoring that only half of the "system" has said no. There's no indication that the non-NPCs are opposed to a new chapter, or that the NPCs are opposed to a new non-NPC chapter.

Why should only half the "system" get a voice?

I think what LPIDelta might be talking about (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that if what a group really wants is to be NPC, they might form as a "social/service", "social/professional" or "multicultural" sorority, to get recognized, and then operate as an NPC social group would. There's been several threads on here about GSS chapters doing selective rush, having mixers with fraternities and basically behaving like NPC groups (without the alcohol rules). This is not cool. It's getting what you want by the backdoor and "using" another group for purposes that might not match their national purposes.

Except I've not gotten the impression that they want to be anything other than a social sorority. What is so odd about affiliating with a regional/local/etc. non-NPC local?

The OP never gave any indication that they were looking at service or professional orgs specifically, and many multicultural orgs are as social as the NPC. Jumping to the conclusion that the OP's group is trying to get their chapter approved as... OPA for example... and then be a quasi-NPC doesn't appear to have any evidence in this thread.

Perhaps I'm just annoyed at the idea that a) what the NPC says goes even for non-NPCs and b) that "clearly" they're not supporting/should go look at the NPCs on campus.

You're right--I probably am not giving the rest of the system its due. But this group of women wanted to started a national social/service sorority. When the group approached the "system" at their school that is in place for that type of group they essentially were turned down (because if there is a tie, the motion fails). And now they are trying to take advantage of what is essentially a loophole by researching non-NPC options. And the Greek Life person seems to be allowing it. My "beef" as it were is not with the women--they are entitled to investigate their options--its with the campus administration who is not adhering to the wishes of the existing Panhellenic. Since this group will likely have to have a relationship with the existing groups, why not try to build a relationship with them and encourage them to consider what a new group can bring to campus? Maybe one of them would change their vote?

If a new group can come to campus anyway, from a strategic standpoint, the Panhellenic might reconsider its vote to allow an new NPC so that all the groups are playing by the same rules. But essentially, their vote means nothing in this circumstance.

As far as service or honorary groups acting like social/service groups--I don't get that at all, and wouldn't advocate that.

I doubt the non-NPCs are playing by the same rules as far as recruitment and anything else governed by the NPC itself. Their vote is strictly based on what is best for the NPCs on campus, not Greek women as a whole because that's what it is designed to do. So their vote means exactly what it is designed to mean. If those chapters are not at total then they need to address that, but the school sets the rules for allowing new chapters, not the college panhellenic. I don't see why the Greek Advisor has to support only half of the sororities over the other half.

I also don't see checking into your options as a backdoor or a loophole. That assumes that NPC is the ideal and the other options are also-rans.

I agree that no one should subvert a GLO's goals to run a service as a social for example, but neither should we assume that because they asked about NPC first, they're settling for something else.

LPIDelta, I think you're getting your threads confused. There was another thread, regarding an undisclosed school, that had two groups trying to go NPC but there was a tie when the CPC voted.

It's the same school in both threads.

What about the existing groups on campus does not meet your needs? That should be your starting point. what values etc do you not see in the groups there. You need a copy of the panhel constitution b/c in all likelihood, you cannot start a local unless it is underground and not recognized by University. Are you looking for a club or a sisterhood. Ramapo is small - the NPC groups are small too so that is why they will not vote to bring on another.

Amen sista!

I don't know what that campus is like, but it seems from my take on this situation that it might be in the CPC's best interest to reconsider expansion. There is obviously at least one group (and rumors about a second) that for whatever reason have decided that the current groups aren't for them. Fair or unfair, they probably aren't going to change their mind, especially just because a few people on an internet messageboard said they should. So, either these girls get permission and petition NPC groups and play by NPC rules, or they start a local/non-NPC. Due to NPC rules, the NPCs are limited in what they can do to compete with a local sorority if that campus finds that locals are more favorable (due to being less restrictive/less structured/whatever). If the new group(s) are NPC, CPC will have a little more control of the situation. And, mathematically speaking, 5 or 6 groups have more presence on campus than 4, so it's possible that more exposure could cause EVERYONE'S numbers to go up. You're always going to have a "weakest link", but a stronger system is beneficial for EVERYONE.

How do we know this?

luv in tpa started the other thread. luv in tpa stated in TPA's rolecall thread that she goes to Ramapo. 2+2=4.

Calm down it was a question. While I am familiar with the other thread that luvntpa started, I had not seen her roll call thread. Be easy, sheesh.

Who's not calm? You asked, I answered.

OK, I'm gonna stop being PC and say it.

I went to a school with a smaller Greek system with a very diverse variety of types of people in the sororities - I don't mean racially, I mean more personality wise. If you went the whole way through rush and weren't offered a bid from ANYONE, either you really misjudged your options (i.e. you thought the top group was really going to give you a bid when they were just stringing you along and so you were rude to the rest of the groups because you thought you had it "in the bag") or you were pretty socially backward.

The OP is presenting her group as a group of awesome ladies that got dicked over by the big bad Sorority Mean Girls, when in actuality some of them probably were dismissive to sororities that offered them membership. She herself says that she turned down a bid.

Bringing a new NPC does not change the girls on your campus - if the XYZs at the school down the road are all fashion plate student leaders with Porsches, it doesn't mean that just because you bring XYZ to your campus that it's going to change the fact that 75% of your school is on financial aid and wear sweatpants 6 days out of 7.

Yeah, and I suspect it's not quite as the OP presented it as far as the girls being skipped or what have you. But if the NPC system is struggling there AND there are other non-NPC options well... Actually I think a lot depends on the health of the current non-NPCs. Are they struggling as well? Are they very niche groups? Do they haze? Just as bringing on a new NPC won't change Greek culture, bringing on a new non-NPC won't necessarily either. If those non-NPCs are flourishing, or if they're faltering because of their behaviors, then bringing a new group on isn't such a bad idea.

I highly suspect every interest group portrays themselves as girls who just didn't find a home during recruitment... even if it's made up of girls who didn't rush, etc.