Starting an NPC Sorority at a Campus with No NPC Presence

[HelpPlease]

This is not just another post about starting a sorority!

I have started researching and I am well aware of the time and commitment needed to start an NPC sorority. After seeing the detailed steps for expansion on the NPC website, I still have questions because my university does not currently have any NPC sororities.

Currently, there are only 2 sororities (both national), 1 national fraternity, and 2 national fraternity colonies. Greek life is still fairly new and there is no Panhellenic or formal 'Greek Council'.

How would I receive approval for expansion if there is no Panhellenic? Has anybody been in a similar situation before? For those who have started an NPC sorority, how long did it take to become a chapter?

Any advice or general help is very appreciated! I'd love to hear your experiences!

[Titchou]

If you've read the steps then you've somehow overlooked the part about campuses with no PH Council. Unanimous Agreement V covers this. There is also a whole chapter on extension in the NPC Manual of Information (aka The Green Book). Bottom line, the "proper authority" at your University must approve and notify NPC that your campus is open for extension. Then the NPC procesures will kick in.

[HelpPlease]

My apologies, I haven't read each PDF document thoroughly yet! I was trying to say that I have seen their website, so I didn't need a simple redirect link. But yes you're correct, I overlooked that section. Thank you for pointing out that specific agreement! I'll be looking into that section in more detail. You seem like you know your stuff! Have you had an experience dealing with expansion? If you have, I'm sure I'll be asking you a lot more stupid questions.

I'm guessing the "Proper Authority" varies with different schools. I am not sure who I should approach to request permission. My school does not have a Dean of Students. Would this "authority" have to be a faculty member type of person or could it be a student representative? My school has a committee made up of elected student representatives (representing different faculties - arts, science, commerce). So far, I haven't found any one individual who is responsible for student clubs.

[Titchou]

Proper authority does vary from school to school. It would have to be someone who works for the school, in administration. I would assume you have an office of student involvement/activities/etc? Whoever is over that would be a place to start. Since you don't have a Dean of Students, you probably have a VP:Student Affairs, someone who is over student life or student discipline/judicial would also be a good place to start.

And yes, I have some experience with expansion.

[HelpPlease]

Thanks so much! We do have an office of student involvement that deals with student clubs and school-wide events, but the main officials dealing with these affairs are students. I'll have to do some more digging to find the people in administration.

Just warning you...I'm a newbie so I'll be asking some stupid questions! Hahah I hope it doesn't bother you too much What was your experience like? What was the most difficult part?

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by HelpPlease

Thanks so much! We do have an office of student involvement that deals with student clubs and school-wide events, but the main officials dealing with these affairs are students. I'll have to do some more digging to find the people in administration.

Just warning you...I'm a newbie so I'll be asking some stupid questions! Hahah I hope it doesn't bother you too much What was your experience like? What was the most difficult part?

HelpPlease- if you are at a Canadian school, it might work differently! You actually would most likely go to the Student Union and start there. I work in student affairs and if a student came to us asking questions like these, the students' union would be the only place to go!

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by HelpPlease

This is not just another post about starting a sorority!

I have started researching and I am well aware of the time and commitment needed to start an NPC sorority. After seeing the detailed steps for expansion on the NPC website, I still have questions because my university does not currently have any NPC sororities.

Currently, there are only 2 sororities (both national), 1 national fraternity, and 2 national fraternity colonies. Greek life is still fairly new and there is no Panhellenic or formal 'Greek Council'.

How would I receive approval for expansion if there is no Panhellenic? Has anybody been in a similar situation before? For those who have started an NPC sorority, how long did it take to become a chapter?

Any advice or general help is very appreciated! I'd love to hear your experiences!

Originally Posted by HelpPlease

My apologies, I haven't read each PDF document thoroughly yet! I was trying to say that I have seen their website, so I didn't need a simple redirect link. But yes you're correct, I overlooked that section. Thank you for pointing out that specific agreement! I'll be looking into that section in more detail. You seem like you know your stuff! Have you had an experience dealing with expansion? If you have, I'm sure I'll be asking you a lot more stupid questions.

I'm guessing the "Proper Authority" varies with different schools. I am not sure who I should approach to request permission. My school does not have a Dean of Students. Would this "authority" have to be a faculty member type of person or could it be a student representative? My school has a committee made up of elected student representatives (representing different faculties - arts, science, commerce). So far, I haven't found any one individual who is responsible for student clubs.

Originally Posted by HelpPlease

Thanks so much! We do have an office of student involvement that deals with student clubs and school-wide events, but the main officials dealing with these affairs are students. I'll have to do some more digging to find the people in administration.

Just warning you...I'm a newbie so I'll be asking some stupid questions! Hahah I hope it doesn't bother you too much What was your experience like? What was the most difficult part?

OP: your enthusiasm is wonderful! Now, please "go back to the drawing board" and keep researching and gathering information. There are threads on GC about introduction of an NPC sorority to a campus, as well as NPC extension.

It's not a rapid process by any means. Yes I have had experience with it. Many of your questions need to be answered at your own campus. Someone is supervising the students who are dealing with student clubs and school-wide events. Your administration may not want an NPC sorority at all. That's a crucial point to discover.

ETA: the most difficult part of expansion was dealing with the University itself. And I am at an established system (since 1917 for NPC sororities).

ETA PS: I see that you are at a Canadian school, from your other thread. CinC can help you. Although my NPC sorority has chapters in Canada, I am not familiar with those chapters or schools.

[ColdInCanada11]

Sorry AZTheta, didn't see your post

[AZTheta]

CinC - I didn't see yours! It's all good!!! We both have chapters of our NPC sororities in Canada, but you're in a much better position to help the OP than I am. (sorry for all the !!!! don't mean to be hyperbolic).

[ColdInCanada11]

Haha, I completely understand AZTheta The Student Unions here are actual legal unions, so they tend to actually govern a lot of student life! (If (as an undergrad student) I am paying you dues each year, you better actually do something ) I honestly don't understand how it works at most American schools either in terms of governance of student affairs!

[HelpPlease]

Thank you ColdInCanada11 and AZTheta!

If anyone else doesn't mind a newbie asking a bunch of questions, feel free to PM me

Hi greeks!

I am one of the founders of Kappa Pi Chi at the University of Lethbridge (Canadian Research University of the Year 2012), and we are in the same situation currently.

There are a number of steps I feel you have to undergo in order to make this happen:
1 - Prepare the University: Work with the Students Union and other Greek organizations on campus in establishing a Greek Council. You will need this in your application (bulletin) for extension.
2 - Ensure your sorority/fraternity meets requirements: membership (~50 members), academics (GPA above...), hours of volunteering (minimum 15), 2 major fundraisers per semester, etc...
3 - Prepare your sorority: Initially with a sorority, you need the numbers in order to get anything done. At some point you should refine recruitment to ensure you are bringing in girls who are passionate about making this happen, and have the skills and resources to ensure it happens. NPC might not happen until years after your graduation (if you graduate from that university you can retroactively join by passing a test), so you have to ensure the sorority will have a solid foundation, that these ladies are passionate about making this happen, and that all members are prepared financially, etc... ALSO costs of extension is high as you will be paying for travel and expense costs for 6 officers (differs by organization), so make sure your sorority is saving up money to pay for this. Expect a minimum of $10,000, although some organizations offer financing these costs, I feel that financing is not responsible as it puts a financial burden on the future sisters. Make sure your sorority is saving up for this, ours is!

GOOD LUCK

[andthen]

Originally Posted by Luchia

Hi greeks!

I am one of the founders of Kappa Pi Chi at the University of Lethbridge (Canadian Research University of the Year 2012), and we are in the same situation currently.

There are a number of steps I feel you have to undergo in order to make this happen:
1 - Prepare the University: Work with the Students Union and other Greek organizations on campus in establishing a Greek Council. You will need this in your application (bulletin) for extension.
2 - Ensure your sorority/fraternity meets requirements: membership (~50 members), academics (GPA above...), hours of volunteering (minimum 15), 2 major fundraisers per semester, etc...
3 - Prepare your sorority: Initially with a sorority, you need the numbers in order to get anything done. At some point you should refine recruitment to ensure you are bringing in girls who are passionate about making this happen, and have the skills and resources to ensure it happens. NPC might not happen until years after your graduation (if you graduate from that university you can retroactively join by passing a test), so you have to ensure the sorority will have a solid foundation, that these ladies are passionate about making this happen, and that all members are prepared financially, etc... ALSO costs of extension is high as you will be paying for travel and expense costs for 6 officers (differs by organization), so make sure your sorority is saving up money to pay for this. Expect a minimum of $10,000, although some organizations offer financing these costs, I feel that financing is not responsible as it puts a financial burden on the future sisters. Make sure your sorority is saving up for this, ours is!

GOOD LUCK

If you're not in an NPC organization, I wouldn't be dishing out advice about the requirements that an NPC organizations has. Each sorority has their own particular requirements for installation of a colony. What group ABC does, might not be what XYZ does. These also may differ depending on the school as well.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by Luchia

(if you graduate from that university you can retroactively join by passing a test), so you have to ensure the sorority will have a solid foundation, that these ladies are passionate about making this happen, and that all members are prepared financially, etc... ALSO costs of extension is high as you will be paying for travel and expense costs for 6 officers (differs by organization), so make sure your sorority is saving up money to pay for this. Expect a minimum of $10,000, although some organizations offer financing these costs, I feel that financing is not responsible as it puts a financial burden on the future sisters.
GOOD LUCK

Holy misinformation, Batman. What the heck???

[WhiteRose1912]

I believe she's quoting the requirements for Kappa Beta Gamma.