Chi Omega at Cornell: from 108 to 33 to 0

[hoosier]

(This is amazing: from 88 members, 20 pledges in '99 to 33 members in '03)

The Greek ltrs. come out CW in the posting:

Chi Omega national closes chapter after 'disappointing' declines in membership
By Justin Silverman
Media Credit: Justin Silverman for Hermes
The entrance to Sisson Place is still marked with the sorority´s name.Despite the recent effort of several CW national representatives to boost membership at Cornell University, the campus' chapter is now officially closed.

"Given the amount of teams going in there and the efforts to teach recruitment strategy," said Anne Emmerth, CW's executive director, "it just really came down to the numbers."

Effective last May 4, CW is inactive, victim to low membership and overburdened sisters, Emmerth said.

With the Cornell Panhellenic Council establishing a member maximum of 110 per chapter, CW's membership numbers steadily declined from 84 members and 20 new members in spring 1999 to 67 members and 25 new members in spring 2001, according to the sorority's national office. In 2001, only 33 sisters and six new members remained.

"The challenge of meeting the financial obligations of a house has increased over the years as the numbers have decreased," said Emmerth, echoing the words written to all sisters and alumni last spring. "Without available additional alumnae support in the area, the advisors and the house corporation found it impossible to continue to give the chapter the assistance needed."

CW established at Cornell in 1917 and remained active until 1963 when, along with many fraternal organizations at the time, students lost interest and it closed. It recolonized in 1987 and again occupied its university-owned 10 Sisson Place residence.

But like all greek organizations at some point, Emmerth said, Cornell's CW slowly began to lose members.

"The chapter was working very, very hard to meet its numbers," she said. "Obviously they were disappointed. But these women are CWs for life and they can continue to enjoy a great sisterhood."

Each sister had good standing with the national office when it decided to close the chapter. All had the opportunity to accept alumna status.

"While we are all sad that their collegiate experience of CW has ended, the Governing Council hopes that the women will be able now to concentrate on themselves as a group of CW alumnae, enjoying their friendships without the pressure of fulfilling chapter responsibilities and financial burdens," Emmerth wrote last spring.

The national office is planning to eventually reopen a chapter at Cornell, given any interest present on campus, Emmerth said. Ultimately, the decision is up to the campus Panhellenic Council.

In preparation for a possible return, national representatives are visiting Cornell to ensure that the 10 Sisson Place house will be available for a future chapter. Panhel also expressed interest in having CW recolonize, according to the sorority's national office.

"Closing a chapter is never an easy thing to do," Emmerth said. But "it's always our intention to get back on campus if we can."