Quote:
Originally posted by russellwarshay
Why should there be a quota? What's wrong with competition? Some men want to join a 200 man fraternity and some want to join a 40 man fraternity, and they can't do so in a NPC type recruitment (i.e. communist) environment.
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Hi Russell,
I agree with you about the diversity of the Greek System-- that some PNM's prefer a smaller group as opposed to a larger group. I believe that certainly there will always be large groups and small groups to fit everyone's needs and wants.
The national groups place a lot of emphasis on chapter total because a chapter with high numbers has stronger finances, and a larger pool from which to develop leaders (so it's not the same people being burned out all the time from having to hold muliple offices.) A chapter with high numbers is also more visibile on campus, can (conceivably) contribute more hours of community service and campus participation, and afford its chapter house and national dues. Bottom line, it's a dollars and cents thing. Although formed for our social enjoyment, national Greek orgs operate as not-for-profit groups. A larger chapter of that group is more likely to be operating strongly as opposed to a smaller group that might be operating at a financial loss. There is also the belief that a larger chapter can be more selective in its membership recruitment (IE-- it can take the guy with a low GPA, b/c there are so many other members with higher GPAs to help compensate while he works to fulfill his potential).
I love your analogy about national groups being communists! LOL. Doesn't it feel that way? Who sang that song "It's all about the Benjamins, baby?" I think bottom, line, it's all about finances and operating in the black, as opposed to being in the red.
Hope this helps. I think you're 100% on about competition being important, and I do think that the concept of quota supports this by allowing all the groups to meet on a level playing field and compete in areas like member rention, athletics, campus involvement, academics, etc. I hope I haven't offended you at all and I respect your viewpoint.