[Ithakappasig]

I'm going to have to disagree with you. First- It was a lot of writing dunno if you caught (recommendation)#4, which answers the question of recognition. As we all know fraternity life in the northeast flourishes at schools where there is no recognition- Yale, Princeton come to mind immediately.

Secondly - the schools mentioned - Colgate (NY), Clarkson (NY), Hamilton (NY), Union (NY), Syracuse (NY), Hartwick (NY), Seton Hall (NJ), Stevens (NJ), Montclair St. (NJ), Kean (NJ), Dickinson (PA), Gettysburg (PA), Villanova (PA), Trinity (CT), Wheaton (MA), Duquesne (PA), St. Josephs (PA) all have vibrant greek scenes.

Thirdly, Canisius, G'town, Fordham and Providence already have Greek organizations- the first two SPE- that have opened the door and flourished.

The group of (Catholic colleges) I initially listed in the earlier post have done well in fraternity growth all things considered.

G'town, Fordham, Providence and BC all have great minority GLO presence and some chapters that partner with them allowing their students to rush at nearby colleges. Fordham has one fraternity operating privately and a second openly, a DKE chapter starting from 1990 finally closed a little while ago but is recolonizing I hear.

Anyone aware of Holy Cross (and its societies, informal group houses and 100 days and Tuesday pub nights) knows that the school is ripe for fraternities except their houses have been upsetting the neighborhood. Fairfield has Fairfield Beach, group housing that informal groups set up in that is very much like a fraternity and sorority row. BC, contrary to your assertion also has a conducive culture.

It is important to know the history here. Until a few decades ago most fraternities were Protestant by rule or custom and hostile to Catholic students, often forbidding their membership. That has changed dramatically. Jesuit schools didn't prohibit fraternities, they just frowned upon them as did administrators during a time when Catholic schools were much more in loco parentis than we can imagine today.

You should not confuse the history with Williams and Amherst at all. These schools have the possible penalty of expulsion for membership in organizations that previously included virtually the entire enrollment. This was not decline in popularity. Nevertheless fraternities continue at both schools, underground, a testament to their popularity.

Princeton and Dartmouth reversed their own draconian penalties while still frowning upon fraternities and dissuading membership. GLO's, old and new cleaned up on those campuses, taking in large numbers of students. I imagine the same would occur at Williams and Amherst.

I think it is easy to say sour grapes because Kappa Sigma hasn't done well in the region but our competitors show that this is really our fault.