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We are expanding!
During the fall semester, USC panhellenic passed a vote to start the process of expansion. It was a very hotly debated issue, and only passed 5-4. Basically at USC, there are 2 houses that are WAY over total. We are talking total being around 160 and these two houses having around 250. Then there are three houses around the 170-200 area and three houses that are either right at total or just a few below. The problem is that since about 1980, USC has opened up for expansion about every 3-4 years, and then within two years of a new chapters colonization, an old chapter has gone under. The last house to go under for this very reason was Chi Omega in the late 90s.
Now, we are going through the process so we can officially open up for expansion within the next year. But I really do not see how this chapter will survive. At USC, no actives from other chapters can help with rush (alumni can.) How, when USC rush groups are about 50-60 rushees large will a new sorority get girls to join them? They will have to double and triple rush! There is no way that they will be able to compete with the 250+ houses.
Even the fraternities are against it at USC. Our bidding rate is pretty good (around 90% of those who go through a preference ceremony get a bid somewhere, not including snap bids.) So they feel that another chapter will only be getting undesirable girls. Lastly, every single sorority and fraternity at USC has a ahouse on 28th street. It will be very hard for a new chapter to obtain or fill a chapter house, and without a house, then rush will be even more impossible.
So in my opinion, its all up to the campus whether rush is a good thing or not. If the likelihood is that a new chapter will survive at a particular campus, then the more the merrier. But if the logistics of that campus make it almost certain that the chapter will not do well, then keep things how they are. Don't make people go through the trauma of finding a sisterhood and then being forced into alumnae status before they ever graduate.
Whew. That was the longest post ever!
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