Lee...Welcome to Greek Chat and I hope you are and will continue to enjoy our boards. As you can see we are pretty silly . I left a message on Theta Theta's website and will try to send an email or letter to IHQ.I am happy to hear that IHQ is reviewing the decision. I believe I did for Alpha and I found out about Chi when it was too late otherwise I would have for them too. If there is another thing that, being an Alpha Gam has taught us or instilled more in us, is speaking out for what we think is wrong or what we believe in. Ladies, please do not take this the wrong way, but I have been keeping this in for the past 3 months. I hope you all understand where I am coming from (This is just my opinion also.)
I love IHQ and our fraternity (sorority) with all my heart. Ive always believed in Greek life but never thought I would be as devoted as I have been. However...
THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS, in my opinion. 3 chapters in the process of closing so far in the 2001-2002 school year and all within a 4 month period. Unfortuantely the school year is not over, but hopefully the closings are. Out of our first 10 chapters (Alpha - Kappa), 6 are currently inactive. I know IHQ has good intentions when they close and have good reasons and all have probably been for different reasons. However we do have over half (64%) of our chapters active. But lately it seems that its been for numbers. I know that we are trying to remain competitive with the other NPC's, but in my opinion we shouldnt be closing chapters just because they have low numbers. No sorority or fraternity is going to be the top one (numbers, academics, etc) on all campuses. Just because for example Auburn can get 60 in a new member class, with a total of lets say 160 girls, doesnt mean that the University of Gitchigitchi can. To me it seems we kind of have this mentality inwhich, even though its focus is on a strong sisterhood (which we certainly have) its starting to lean more towards numbers. Speaking of National Orgs in general, I have never thought the length of time a chapter gets to improve is reallt fair. I wouldnt expect a chapter with low number to improve within a 1-3 year period. Especially on a competitive Greek campus where you have certain orgs that people seem to always want to get into and are not interested in others.
Again, I hope no one takes offense to this, but it is just my opinion and I am not trying to point blame at IHQ. As I said I am sure they are doing what the believe is best. Its just frustrating to see 3 closing in such a short time and not knowing whether it could bloow up into more.
For me, to a point, as long as there is a strong since of pride and sisterhood, who really cares about numbers. I think most would prefer quality over quantity even though its always nice to have great numbers of sisters all over.

Loyally,
Tonya