Hey there ladies!!
Basically, my collegiate chapter is struggling and they (me too) also feel as though nationals is just letting them flounder until they close.
heres the deal: When I joined 5 years ago, KD was by far the largest chapter on campus, BUT we were being housed in a different house. Since then we have moved into somewhat of a Greek Community on campus. The house itself is very large and is beautiful (even though it has VERY small rooms and looks somewhat like a dorm), but many girls cannot afford to live in it. Rent is on average over 600 dollars a MONTH. Problem is, our house corp makes our sophomore pledge class and council live in the house or else they go on National Probation. We have lost nearly 40 girls in the past 2 years simply because they can't afford the outragous rent. And when total is only 75 (we currently have 32), this is a huge problem.
We are the only sorority in this community, so the other 5 sorority chapters have a distinct advantage during recruitment because their rent is DRASTICALLY less expensive. Also, the only reason the fraternities in the community can strive is because they all have HUGE support from their alumni. They donate so much money that it cuts their rent from the 600 to about 200 or less per month.
While the girls in the chapter are amazing women, they are all getting very frustrated, because they feel that house corp only cares about filling the house and collecting rent instead of the girls themselves. Also, nationals seems to be completely ignoring the problem. There are 2 other KD chapters within very short driving distance of ours, and they seem to be having more national support (CDC visits, national officer visits, etc). Its just very frustrating for the women, because the problem is not getting any better.
Also, to make matters worse (if possible) our panhellenic has made our formal recruitment completely no frills. And when I say no frills, i mean NOTHING. No decorations, no door songs, no matching outfits, no skit. My chapter lived for skit night and now it is gone, so needless to say they are VERY nervous (especially since they are the smallest chapter on campus).
Basically, I'm not sure that what can be done, but I can't just sit back and watch my chapter dissappear (we have been on campus since 1913). I guess I just needed to get everything off of my chest and if any of you lovely ladies have suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Thanks so much, and I'm sorry that this was SO long!
AOT,
Steph
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