Fraternities shrinking in size

[oldu]

A very disturbing trend has been occurring with fraternities. Almost without exception fraternities are closing far more chapters than they are opening. Even worse, chapters are being closed at flagship institutions while the new ones seem to be at much smaller and less prestigious schools. This has happened during a GOOD economy.

I fear for what will happen during the next twelve months as the results of the severe economic downtourn effects the Greeks. I suspect that some of the smallest national organizations are going to face the same financial crisis they had during the 1970s -- which caused the demise of a few of them.

Sororoties appear to have had a good period of growth; however, I suspect that they too will feel the pinch during the next several mmonths and lose some chapters.

[AGDee]

Are all of those closures due to membership numbers? It certainly seems like what we're reading in the Risk Management forum is that a lot of these chapters are being closed for Risk Management reasons.

[kddani]

Citations to actually show that the numbers are shrinking?

Most of the fraternities closing chapters are doing so because of risk management issues. We see the stories every day here. It seems that few fraternities close chapters due to low numbers (which tends to be something sororities do).

If the college age fraternity men in those chapters could get their acts togther and behave appropriately, chapters wouldn't be closing.

[oldu]

While there have been several closings because of risk management issues, it goes far beyond that. Take any fraternity's list of active chapters today and compare it to two years ago and the numbers is less. Many of those closings have been due to low membership or inability to operate at standards set by the national organization.

Keep in mind, this was during a strong economy. It usually takes a year or two after the economy tanks before it results in chapter closings. University of Michigan greek officials, among others, have voiced a concern about what the recession will do to next fall's numbers. The schools themselves are worried about next fall's enrollment figures. An admissions officer that I know is concerned that there may be a huge gap between acceptances for fall '09 and actual admissions, as families determine that they cannot afford the cost. This has been an issue that has increased in each of the last two years.

Fraternities need to get ther acts together in more than risk management. Few are nearly as well managed financially as are the sororities. During the 1930s depression, more fraternities closed because of financial insolvency than for lack of members!

[33girl]

Economy has nothing to do with it. Students are finding other ways to bond with their fellow students, with less rules, regulations and harassment by professors and administration.

And yes, please show concrete evidence of these hordes of closings due to low members ONLY.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by 33girl

And yes, please show concrete evidence of these hordes of closings due to low members ONLY.

Seriously. I've rarely heard of a fraternity closing for low numbers. There were a number of them on my campus (NIC, not locals) with as little as a half dozen members. A sorority would never stay open with that few members.

Every time you turn around there's another post in the Risk Management forum about some fraternity being suspended or closing due to Risk Management issues. I'm sure they're out there- but I can't think of a single example of one closing for low numbers.

Sounds like someone's turning a blind eye to the true problems and looking for a way to blame the economy. That's just burying your head in the sand. Not that I don't think the economy will have some effect on numbers overall, but not to this degree.

Fraternities that are closing chapters are doing so overwhelmingly due to risk management issues.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by kddani

Seriously. I've rarely heard of a fraternity closing for low numbers. There were a number of them on my campus (NIC, not locals) with as little as a half dozen members. A sorority would never stay open with that few members.

(Kinda) not true. One fraternity on my campus closed because of low numbers. But the chapter was re-opened shortly thereafter, when a lot of guys became interested in starting a fraternity.

At one point, my chapter was down to 4 members. They recruited like crazy (as much as you can with 4 members) and brought the membership back up to 14 in a year.

I think it all depends on where you are, though. I don't believe, however, that there are an inordinate number of fraternity chapters closing because of low numbers. But if this is the case, please prove it to me and I will stand corrected.

[KSUViolet06]

It seems to me that the majority of fraternity chapters are closing to due to risk management issues, not low numbers.

I think an inability to manage risks and such would be more likely to be the demise of a fraternity chapter than numbers would.

[SAEalumnus]

Originally Posted by kddani

Seriously. I've rarely heard of a fraternity closing for low numbers. There were a number of them on my campus (NIC, not locals) with as little as a half dozen members. A sorority would never stay open with that few members.

Every time you turn around there's another post in the Risk Management forum about some fraternity being suspended or closing due to Risk Management issues. I'm sure they're out there- but I can't think of a single example of one closing for low numbers.

Sounds like someone's turning a blind eye to the true problems and looking for a way to blame the economy. That's just burying your head in the sand. Not that I don't think the economy will have some effect on numbers overall, but not to this degree.

Fraternities that are closing chapters are doing so overwhelmingly due to risk management issues.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

It seems to me that the majority of fraternity chapters are closing to due to risk management issues, not low numbers.

I think an inability to manage risks and such would be more likely to be the demise of a fraternity chapter than numbers would.

Agreed. In the more than a decade that I've been an SAE, I can only think of one example of one of our chapters being closed due to low numbers. In every other case I've ever heard of, it was risk management.

[g41965]

Quick review of 1991 Bairds shows a contraction in most NIC Fraternities.

Sig Ep had 254 open chapters now has 230
DU had 91 open chapters now has 74
Fijis had 116 now have 107
DKE went from 54 to 48.
Phi Delta Theta had 180 now has 160.
Some Greeks are about the same Sigma Ci has grown from 217 to 222.

I think numbers and risk managment both play a role don't know which issue is bigger.

I do know SMU(my law school) and UT( my undergraduate) both have fewer chapter than when I was in school UT had 30 + in the 1980's now has 21-22 NIC Chapters. SMU has lost ATO, Phi Psi and now KA since I was a 1 L.

As a 43 year old and with a 15 year old daughter I think this recession is going to hurt greeks badly over the next 2-3 years. My wife went to Vanderbilt and she was also greek,but when our daughter goes to school greeklife is way down the list and will be among the first expense we cut if times are tight.

[RU OX Alum]

I don't think he means anyone's HQ or whatever is coming around saying "sorry guys, you don't have enough members" what is most likely happening, and i think that oldu is refering to a sitiution where there are only a few guys, and so they vote to disband. It happened to a chapter at RU when I was there. It happens.

[ECUJacob]

Take any fraternity's list of active chapters today and compare it to two years ago and the numbers is less. Many of those closings have been due to low membership or inability to operate at standards set by the national organization.

I'd like to see some factual data to back this up. As a GLO member and Student Affairs professional, I completely disagree with this. I can't recall any chapter at my school or a sister institution closing strictly due to a lack of numbers. Obviously we all agree that it does happen every once in a while, but no means is it the reason for the majority of closures.

Where are your numbers coming from?