Sciencewoman - I did look into the GR Panhellenic last year, but didn't end up participating. I'll have to give it another go!
33girl - I don't know the answer to your question. Maybe my source will email me more details.
I do know that MSU Panhel has a track record of not doing what is best for the Panhellenic system as a whole and my opinion is that much of it is driven by the tiers. (People on GC can talk all they want about how we shouldn't talk about tiers, but reality is reality, folks. And someone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about how Panhel functions now, but from what I've been told it hasn't changed.)
AOPi was brought on campus when I was there. At the time there were at least four to six groups not meeting quota in fall rush or else having a very difficult time getting there. Bringing AOPi on created a lot of hard feelings in a situation where there was already a fair amount of animosity.
My source also told me that there is a fairly negative view of Greeks on campus which I would say is a change since I graduated. It was never an overwhelmingly Greek school, but general opinion was not overwhelmingly negative either. They should have started the RFM sooner and it might have saved some of the smaller groups. Instead it just left lots of bitter and resentful women who didn't get bids. Not the greatest PR move.
I don't know what the answer is. I had always hoped that Tri Delta might be back there before my daughter would possibly attend. That still could happen (she's only almost 4!), but I'm not holding my breath.
Until the university values the Greek system and they get a really good adviser, I don't think it will ever really thrive.
Just my two cents.