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As one of the few graduates of UMD (and a member of the greeksystem) on this board, can I put in my $.02? Though having graduated many years ago, maybe it's only worth $.01.
The Maryland greek system has gone through MAJOR and MANY changes since the late 1980's that have adversly affected the system as a whole.
Off the top of my head these are the chapters that I know have left the campus and why:
Kappa Kappa Gamma -- internal problems and it was a HUGE blow to the system because they were one of the best houses on campus.
Pi phi -- low numbers
AZD -- low numbers
GAmma Phi Beta -- low numbers
AGD -- recolonized to a few years later going bye bye due to low numbers.
Sigma Chi -- am not really sure why they left and another blow to the system (IMO) because they were great when I was there.
SAE -- death of a member and again another top group
PSK -- see SAE
TEP -- I think they are gone
Zeta Tau Alpha came on capmpus in the late 1980s and still here but many sororities have left (see above.)
Quite frankly, I think it's amazing that UMD has a greek system at all. We would speak about how easy making fraternity row and the graham cracker (where the houses are) into either offices or multicultural housing or even straight dorms because the greek system has been riddled with problems. Not to mention more rules and regulations in order to have a party, remain an organized and recognized group on campus has been somewhat a turn off by the greek system -- but they know they must abide or lose their charter.
Granted, I do not know all the details regarding this new SARF program but the fact that the administration is willing to implement anything to help keep them around I feel is a good thing.
It would be such a shame if UMD lost their greek system because I loved every minute of my time there and the fraternity row/graham cracker part of the campus is so beautiful.
And, FWIW, I heard that last year (or the year before that) the UMD greek system won best greek system from all MidAtlantic schools so they must be doing something right.
Just my comments.
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