Quote:
Originally posted by Hootie
Has anyone else ever wondered why Chi Omega isn't International in scope like some of the other sororities?
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Hootie,
I've met Neon Pi (she's a Canadian AOII) and we've talked quite a lot about this. I think a lot of it comes down to whether there is alumnae support in the area. For example, I know that there are some ladies of a local sorority at UNBC (University of Northern British Columbia), which is situated in a fairly remote location in Northern British Columbia. I know that they have a keen interest in affiliating with an NPC organzation, but I think that it may be tough going for them, as there isn't alumnae support in the area (i.e. are there any Pi Phi's in the area, any Chi O's in the area, etc). This is a fairly new university (less than 10 years old) and so there hasn't been a history of Greeks before.
I don't know how much it would cost for a National Headquarters to come and set up a chapter and then monitor it to make sure that the chapter is obeying the rules and requirements, etc. But I think that Nationals might be a bit hesitant to set up shop if they're not sure if a chapter would be able to sustain itself over the test of time, know what I mean?
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As for why aren't there the "North American" style of sororities and fraternities in overseas countries? (I think that is what you are asking, yes?).... In Germany and Latvia (My grandma and aunts were in Latvian sororities, my grandpa in a Latvian fraternity), they have sort of fraternal type of groups...they're duelling fraternal societies (yep, swords and the whole shabang!) and they refer to them as "Corporations"). There used to be a German guy on GC a while ago, Matthew something, but he hasn't been on here in a while..he'd probably know about the subject. Anyhow, when I was in Heidelberg, (being fraternity obsessed and all...LOL) I visited a bonafide German fraternity house! It was kind of interesting, but it seemed a bit stiff and formal too. It didn't seem quite as fun as what we've got going in North America. I think a lot of GLO origins stem from the fact that in the late 1700's (around the time when Phi Beta Kappa was first started, but it wasn't an honor society just yet), students were quite heavily policed and monitored by faculty and faculty had a lot of control over students. So fraternities sort of emerged from that, as groups/clubs/societies (what have you) where students could be "autonomous" and self governing. And there it is!
Hope that wasn't too boring!