[adpiucf]

I advised at a campus where total was met by 2 of 11 chapters. The other chapters not at total were worlds away-- and the ones who were at total weren't necessarily in the top tier by themselves.

Lowering total, as mentioned, has nothing to do with lowering quota at formal recruitment. The less COB a chapter has to endure, the better. Many quality members can come in during COR, but having to COR every quarter is exhausting, lessens morale and programming opportunities, among other things. It drains a chapter.

National and IHQ's need to keep chapters at total in order for them to remain competitive locally and to maintain their bills financially. I know there's a continuing debate over total and that finances aren't everything-- which is great-- but if total is 100, I have 20 members and those 20 members hve to pay more in dues to cover the chapter house, parlor fees, NPC and national dues, local events, and local dues... well, I'd be more inclined to want to have to pay less each year per person if I had more sisters in my chapter.

And the chapter that isn't at toal gathers an unfavorable reputation oftentimes, whether that is fair or not-- it still carries over to rumors at recruitment that hurt that chapter's efforts for years to come.