Numbers are up!

DeltaBetaBaby · #1 02-22-2011, 05:24 PM

Lots of schools reporting record numbers of NM's, lots of expansion opportunities (many at BIG school), what's going on, people? Why the sudden surge?

LaneSig · #2 02-22-2011, 06:24 PM

Don't laugh, but I honestly believed the tv show "Greek" helped some. It's shown the funside of going Greek (along with some other things).

After "Animal House" came out, there was an upswing in Greek life. "Greek" came on 4 years ago, and that's about when the steady climb began recently. I'm not saying that "Greek" is the only factor, but I honestly believe that it has helped.

KSUViolet06 · #3 02-22-2011, 06:32 PM

I seriously couldn't tell you. It's odd because when troubles with the economy started, I think all Greek orgs were worried that it would really hurt recruitment numbers/expansion.

A few years into it, and it seems to not hurt as much. Even here in Ohio, which has been hit pretty hard, we're seeing record recruitment numbers at a whole lot of schools.

Ex: Quota at my alma mater has been steadily climbling. In the time that I was there (like 2004-2006ish), it never got higher than like high teens-low 20s. This past year, it was in the 40s.

thetaj · #4 02-22-2011, 06:35 PM

The class of 2009 was the largest to ever graduate from high school. There are just a ton of people in college right now.

LaneSig · #5 02-22-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I seriously couldn't tell you. It's odd because when troubles with the economy started, I think all Greek orgs were worried that it would really hurt recruitment numbers/expansion.

A few years into it, and it seems to not hurt as much. Even here in Ohio, which has been hit pretty hard, we're seeing record recruitment numbers at a whole lot of schools.

Ex: Quota at my alma mater has been steadily climbling. In the time that I was there (like 2004-2006ish), it never got higher than like high teens-low 20s. This past year, it was in the 40s.

I think the economy has helped smaller, state schools grow. Students who would normally apply for the larger flagship or private schools are going to the smaller state schools (I know KSU is not small). Many of these student would have went Greek at the flagship schools, so that might be a factor, too.

carnation · #6 02-22-2011, 07:13 PM

In Georgia at least, it's cheaper to go to the non-flagship state schools so lots of kids realize that they can go to one of the medium-sized schools and afford to be Greek.

KSUViolet06 · #7 02-22-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaneSig

I think the economy has helped smaller, state schools grow. Students who would normally apply for the larger flagship or private schools are going to the smaller state schools (I know KSU is not small). Many of these student would have went Greek at the flagship schools, so that might be a factor, too.

I agree. The growth in Greek Life is in line with our huge enrollment increases.

Pre-recession, the average HS senior was more interested in our largest flagship OSU, or some of the small private schools like Mount Union, Ashland, etc.

Monetary constraints are forcing more local students to consider KSU, as opposed to heading out of town to those schools. There are also many more students who are opting to attend our branch in their hometown, with the intent of transferring to Main.

Because of this, enrollment has SKYROCKETED. In the past like 4 years, we've had more students applying to live on campus than we have spaces. Definitely a good problem to have. .

TweedleDee199 · #8 02-23-2011, 03:10 AM

I agree with the Greek thing. Recruitment was something I'd started considering awhile ago because of some cousins in GLOs but the show helped to put the idea front and center in my mind.
Enrollment applies at Oregon too, our freshman numbers are growing.
Also, coming out of high school now there is this HUGE emphasis that teachers, parents, counselors, etc. are putting on the need to be involved on campus, do service work, find internships, network, etc. to be in a better position coming into the job market. Greek life is of course a doorway to all of that [and more]. I think that helps to explain why a lot of girls who never expected to greek are going through recruitment with the full blessing of parents. I heard those sorts of explanations a lot when I rushed in the fall.

MaggieXi · #9 02-23-2011, 12:24 PM

I think that social media, like Facebook, has helped too. Years ago when I went to school (AOL had just become popular), you had no idea what your friends were doing at their schools on a day to day basis. Now, with Facebook and Twitter, you see that friends of yours and third cousins are joining sororities and fraternities.

dnall · #10 02-23-2011, 12:36 PM

It has to a be a whole lot of different factors. I don't know if anyone could really explain it.

If I had to guess at one big one, I would say economy. I know that doesn't make sense on the surface, but 2nd+ generation college students from upper middle class backgrounds that would normally go to tier 1 schools & try to go greek have opted for cheaper options. That's done good things for a lot of those type greek systems, but hard to say how sustainable it'd be.

I know that's happening, but it doesn't explain good years at tier 1 schools. It's shaken up the make up of their rush pools, but they're still getting strong interest and big classes. So, I'm really not sure. Hopefully it keeps going though.

33girl · #11 02-23-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieXi

I think that social media, like Facebook, has helped too. Years ago when I went to school (AOL had just become popular), you had no idea what your friends were doing at their schools on a day to day basis. Now, with Facebook and Twitter, you see that friends of yours and third cousins are joining sororities and fraternities.

Very good point. I'm sure that makes some people consider it who wouldn't have before.

As far as Ohio, well, it's not like there's any good football teams there to root for, so they have to do something in the fall.

Sorry, had to throw that in there...involuntary reflex...

LaneSig · #12 02-23-2011, 03:20 PM

Quinnipiac article about more students. Article states that 4 years ago 7% of students were Greek, it's now up to 14%.

http://www.quchronicle.com/2011/02/d...nterest-rises/

AGDee · #13 02-23-2011, 03:21 PM

I've seen it trend (just as I've seen Risk Management and hazing problems trend) up and down over the past 30 years. It's just the way it trends.

WCsweet<3 · #14 02-23-2011, 03:23 PM

Definitely agree with a lot that has been said already. UOregon has had a major increase in enrollment as well. I do feel like the media attention through shows like Greek and movies (Sorority Row, The House Bunny), puts the idea into people's heads. Movies aren't always the best for stereotyping and etc, but once the seed gets planted (Inception anyone?)...

GeorgiaGreek · #15 02-23-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

In Georgia at least, it's cheaper to go to the non-flagship state schools so lots of kids realize that they can go to one of the medium-sized schools and afford to be Greek.

If HOPE is paying for tuition, wouldn't it cost about the same? I feel like most people at UGA from Georgia are on HOPE (can't say the same for Tech though...)