It's my experience that most schools WILL give a "preference" to any silent chapters first during any periods of expansion, as long as the International/National Headquarters are willing. I'm not sure if there is any NIC/NPC rule regarding silent chapters being recolonized first during expansion periods. I think most schoold do it basically because of the Alumni factor xp2k spoke of. However, if there are not any silent chapters or if the Headquarters do not express interest at returning to the campus at that time, schools will usually invite several specific organizations to make expansion proposals, and then choose which org. they (IFC, Panhellenic, Greek Affairs, etc.) like best. FYI - for sororities, any expansion or recolonization must have the unanimous approval of the university's Panhellenic Council. We had a local sorority spring up on my campus several years ago and they were trying to get ADPi to sponsor them as a colony, but the PC blocked them out because a couple of the smaller chapters voted no. However, if an established interest group has contact with a specific org., then it is kind of up to the HQ to contact the school and inquire about expansion possibilities...some schools are open to expansion, but do not actively pursue it unless someone (Nat'l HQ or local interest group) makes the first move.
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