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As for the strong alum base of DZs in Florida...there wasnt even a DZ alum chapter in Gainesville until DZ decided to colonize there. That is when one was formed and there are maybe 20-30 women in it. Part of DZs success was all of the chapter consultants they brought in as well as all of the girls from FSU, Auburn, and the University of Tampa. The reason our chapter are not as big as Ole Miss' are is because UF's panhellenic has chosen to expand to keep chapter sizes from getting that big. We too have had recent closings...AZD did in 2000 and DZ colonized in 2002. AZD tried to recolonize but being that it seems to follow trends at all southern universities once you have a certain reputation it follows regardless if you force all of your old members to go alum (which AZD did). DZ has made a huge financial commitment for us and it worked successfully. We had over 500 girls interview for 154 spots, as well as get over quota this past rush. I think that an organization can colonize without a problem as long as they do it right. In Ole Miss's case I would bring in a chapter that has a strong base at schools nearby and have those girls do the rushing....that's what worked for us. Also DZ was on campus everyday promoting from the day school started (middle of August) till the end of September when DZ recruitment started. You could not go anywhere on our campus without seeing a DZ flyer. I think if an organization could follow those steps and make a financial commitment they would have a great chapter at Ole Miss. But like I said I think the organization would need to have a good rep at other nearby schools and need not to have been at Ole Miss recently because their old reputation will follow them.
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