[lifesaver]

I knoe this is primarily about the ladies, but my chapter has just exploded in size and its wierd for me to see. When I came to this chapter they had just done a house cleaning, and were down to 14 members. We had our ups and downs, but now are at 70. And with growth projections are looking to reach our goal of 85-90 men by next fall. Quite a change from the 14 of "back in the day." We are the largest our chapter has ever been in its 25 year history. Also we are pretty much tied with the Kappa Sigs and Delta Sigs for largest chapter. (We are only 1 or two people away from each other, but we have the highest retention rate on campus, so I am sure we'll pull away from the pack as the semester rolls on, and the Delta Sigs are only a colony, so that doesnt even count. At my campus its all about how long you've been here - we're second oldest)

Its cool to see the largest meeting room on campus (thats not a ballroom) filled with my brothers. Also theres always guys on campus, thats cool too.

I have seen my chapter as big and small and my $$ is on the big chapter. My reasons are many. Anytime you are over 15 guys, youre gonna have cliques, because 20 people all cant get together in a car and go to a movie, so if there are cliques, I'd rather have a big chapter. Secondly, if you are a big chapter, you can absorb some of the punches you cant as a small chapter. If you are 20 and graduate 8, thats a big blow. But if you are 80 and graduate even 30 thats not that bad. ALso the buying power of a large chapter is awesome. THeres stuff the undergrads are doing now that I only could have dreamed of back in the day. Destination unknown to New Orleans or Skiing in Colorado (all expenses paid), Spring breaks in Mexico, spending $15,000 on formal and the like. Man that was a dream in the day. Yeah, I woudnt be tight with everyone of my brothers, but I also dont have to be worried about being closed in a heartbeat either. Between the two, I'll choose having to work to get to know my brothers ANYDAY!