--

Sorry to hear about the trouble the girls are having. :( I hate that the locals are so opposed to the idea of Panhellenic coming to campus. We should all be excited when the Greek system has a chance to grow, and eager to help in whatever way possible. From what you've said, some of the NYU locals seem only interested in tearing it down, and that is a sad, selfish thing to do.

ZetaKris--

I'm sure that AST has some form of colony program, which they have their new colonies do. I know at D Phi E, there isn't necessarily a time limit on colonizations, but they aren't supposed to be 3 year processes. Most colonies charter within a year of the colonization, but there are specific number requirements they have to make to charter. I'd talk to the girls who just colonized and ask them. If they won't share it with you, a call to AST headquarters could be a good idea. I think it's ridiculous that a national sorority's colony would be opposed to NPC, when their national organization is a member of NPC! But such is life...I hope it works out for you all!

How odd.

It is pretty standard for nearby chapters to visit and help out with rush for a small/struggling chapter - and make it clear that they are not part of the local chapter. I'm surprised to hear rushees reacting that way.

It's a shame that the one local is reacting the way they are - they don't really have anything to lose. When a Panhel is formed on campus, the local sororities and the nationals have equal footing.

But it doesn't sound like the colony is doing too well. Don't they have a resident national consultant?

Why are they so opposed to having a PanHel council on campus? At my school, we have five national sororities and one local (my sorority), and all of us are on PanHel. Maybe someone can explain to the locals that if another national comes to campus, they can still be included in greek decisions, if they want.

Usually when a sorority colonizes, they want the colony at a competitive size before chartering. Each group is different. The most common figures that I have seen are either 2/3 or 90% of the largest sorority's size. Say the largest sorority has 40 members. That would mean that the AST colony needs either 27 (2/3 - rounded up) or 36.

It is possible for them to get those numbers but they need support and time. AST would not have chosen this group if they thought it wasn't worthwhile. A large amount of resources go into colonization and no one can afford to waste them. I am sure that AST is very supportive of this endeavor but the other Greeks on your campus need to be supportive as well. Gamma Delta is no more and they are now AST. I understand that it is hard to forget that they were Gamma Delta once. However, their 4 new members see them as AST. Support them in their choice by congratulating them and welcoming them to Greek life. AST is a great organization. They fill a niche just like all of our organizations do.

If for whatever reason the colony is dissolved, what happens next is up to those members and the rules governing organizations at NYU. The members could opt to reorganize Gamma Delta; they could form a new group entirely or decide to part ways.

ZetaKris- Does NYU have any type of organization that governs greek life? When I was in college, we had panhel for the sororities, IFC for the fraternities, and NPHC for the BGLO's and Inter Greek Caucus (IGC) oversaw all the sororities and fraternities - NPC, IFC, and NPHC. Each met weekly and was a way for the sororities and fraternities discuss new business and to iron out any problems in greeklife. I think that a part of the problem with NYU is a lack of communication between the sororities, and Panhel can only help that. I think that your sorority, D Phi E, and the rest at NYU should welcome AST to your campus by having a tea or some other type of get together so you all can meet each other. I would also be a great way to launch Panhel since this seems to be inevitable. Good luck!

If it's not something the rushees are used to, regardless of the fact that it is SOP, they're going to react negatively.

ZetaKris - there really is no set time according to NPC for chartering a colony. If AST wants to take 5 years to do it, they can - but I would assume if they do, they are doing so in the belief that the rewards will be worth it. They are humungous here in PA so I bet they have lots of alums along the East coast to help out. On the other hand, they had a colony in Indiana (where there are not a lot of AST chapters) that didn't do well and they closed it almost immediately.

I can't imagine any national letting any group remain a colony indefinately. They'll probably revoke the colony charter eventually if they don't get the kind of numbers national wants.

As far as people from other chapters coming out and helping with rush is concerned... I think it's a great idea. Any group, but especially a small one, could definately benefit from a little more manpower (womanpower for those pc people I suppose). It also shows that you would be joining a national group, not just one confined to a single campus. The fact that SAEs from all over hang out with each other regardless of what chapter(s) they're from is a major reason why I chose this fraternity when I rushed. It could have a similar effect on some of your rushees too.

ZetaKris, that is an unusual process and story. Panhel can only help. I think that the bitter sister will probably be too busy with colonization to act out on any resentment she may feel. Our campus panhel was concerned about feelings like that so we had a sorority tea and invited every sorority sister and professors. It was a really nice way to get to know each other and for the faculty to get to know us. The GLOs had gotten some negative feedback from some faculty members. Interestingly, even though they were invited, only one negative faculty member came and even he seemed to enjoy the food if not the company. :p The rest were very positive and supportive. It was a very nice evening that resulted in a positive panhellenic feeling.

What was the problem the colony was having? I have tried to follow the conversation, but didn't find the original post by ZetaKris. Thanks!