AXD and Their Alpha Chapter

Delta_theta · #1 03-01-2002, 01:26 PM

Hello,

I'm a Sigma Nu, at the Delta Theta chapter, knox college, in Galesburg IL. We were, at one time, located at Lombard--with your alpha chapter. When they came to knox, so did we. I know our Fraternity and your Sorority are linked, and I, being somewhat of a traditionalist, would love to see the Alpha Chapter of AXD recolonize. well, Knox is looking to bring a 3rd Sorority back on campus! Now is the chance for AXD to have their Alpha Chapter be active again, if this is something they want. I have emailed your nationals, as it is something I would like to see. I met an AXD at Sigma Nu's college of chapters this summer, and she was happy to meet someone from my chapter so tied to your alpha chapter. If there is anything I can do to help this recolonization process, (assuming its something you all want) let me know. Also, I'd suggest telling your Headquarters about it, so they know to take action as well.

If there is anything I Can do, let me know:
Mwagner@knox.edu

Michael Wagner
Delta Theta 1150 of Sigma Nu
Knox College

kristiAZD · #2 03-01-2002, 10:39 PM

That is awesome! I will definetely contact Nationals about it! It is so cool to hear that a Sigma Nu knows our shared histories and cares enough to see us brought back on campus! I must say, I bet our founders are smiling down on you right now.

It's so wonderful to me to see that their vision and the help of the Sigma Nus there is being carried on. Thank you so much for your awesome post! I would personally LOVE to see our Alpha chapter brought back, as I'm sure all of the Xis on GC would too! Thanks again!

AZ-AlphaXi · #3 03-02-2002, 12:39 AM

Michael,

thanks for posting the information. I know that all of us would love to see our Alpha Chapter reestablished. I've passed your message on to our headquarters. I'm sure they'll follow up on it as prescribed by NPC rules for extension.

Alpha Xi's knew, even in 1893, that Sigma Nus were great!

Delta_theta · #4 03-05-2002, 05:08 PM

Currently, Knox college rules prohibit any national Panhellenic sorority from comming in and starting a sorority--all new S. houses must start local. But, because of liability, NPC doesn't absorb local soroities anymore. So, currently, some students and admin. are looking into changing the old rule, to allow NPC to come in and expand. So, until that rule is changed, I'm not sure how much can be done.

M.

FuzzieAlum · #5 03-05-2002, 07:02 PM

What do you mean, NPC doesn't absorb local sororities anymore? I'm pretty sure they still do!

However, I have also heard that the this opportunity for expansion is not something our Nationals has not heard anything about, either from Knox or NPC.

Delta_theta · #6 03-05-2002, 07:30 PM

WEll, I was only going off the information that my Greek Advisor gave to me.

Some of the things that ARE currently being disucssed is a) getting the local PC here to accept a 3rd sorority(of the 2 that are here, neither chapter, at least in full, wants another one yet). There are a couple groups of students looking to talk with the school about other sororities here on campus. I'm not sure about the NPC rules are for it all, but from what she(my greek advisor) said, you have to be invited to look into starting/recolonizing?

Either way, right now, Knox won't allow it, though the rules preventing it are being looked into.

M.

FuzzieAlum · #7 03-05-2002, 09:01 PM

There are two ways an NPC groups can be started on a campus. One, the Greek system can decide, "We need another group." They then write to a bunch of NPC sororities and say, "We invite you to present on our campus." Some choose to come and present, and the Greek system votes on one to invite. This is a lot more common these days, I think (at least it's how most of the new AXD chapters I've seen in the last few years have come about).

The other is, a group of girls on campus decides to form their own local sorority. The school can't be forced to recognize them, but honestly, they can't really forbid them from existing, either. (I suppose they could withhold formal recognition and participation in Greek Week, rush, etc., but they can exist outside that system.) But usually if the group gets big enough the campus will officially recognize them, thinking, well, obviously there was demand for another group. Then the group can write to different nationals and say, hey, are you interested in us affiliating? Different groups say yes or no, and if more than one is interested, they come talk to the chapter and the chapter decides.

There are pros and cons to both methods. In the former, the school can choose an organization they think is strong, as well as sufficiently different from other groups on campus. In the latter, the girls can choose an organization that fits their beliefs and goals. However, I don't think universities like this as much, since they would rather control who comes on their campus. That's in general, of course - I don't doubt that Knox may be different for whatever reason. They may want the group of girls to prove themselves.

If it's still in the "discussion" phase at Knox, it's no surprise our Nationals has not heard of it yet.

However, as much as I personally would like to see our Alpha back, I don't think we can conclude that Nationals necessarily feels the same way. They have to gauge if there is sufficient local alumnae strength, if they think they can really make a go of it, and if it fits their profile for future expansion. What I guess I'm saying is we shouldn't assume FHQ would be as excited as most of us upon hearing that Knox wants another chapter, and we can't even conclude that Knox or a local chapter would decide AXD is the one for them. Knox could not invite AXD to present, for example. Heck, the school could decide not to expand at all.

I guess I'm kind of sounding down on it here. Personally, I would LOVE to have Alpha back, no matter what process it takes. I just don't want everyone to get their hopes up too high if it doesn't happen.

Delta_theta · #8 03-05-2002, 10:05 PM

I've heard rumors of Phi mu(which was also here at one point in time) having a presense here but I'm not sure in what form, or for how long, or how much. Either way, I'll try to keep everyone posted, incase something should come up that would allow the option to be open.

M.

kristiAZD · #9 03-07-2002, 01:23 AM

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I just recieved a reply from my email to Nationals and they said that they looked into recolonizing at Knox but were told by the greek advisor that they are not looking to expand right now. Maybe someday.....keep us informed, Delta_theta!

AlphaXi4983 · #10 04-07-2003, 03:13 PM

Just out of curiosity, when was our alpha chapter shut down? and why (if it's something that can be spoken about)?

Delta_theta · #11 04-07-2003, 05:12 PM

I'm not sure. What research I did do while I was there led me to belive that there was a lack of membership. But honestly, I do not know. I'd love to see the chaper open up again. There IS talk of expanding, but first, knox's rules have to change(the current rules make it near impossible to open up new fraternities or sororities at knox).

At one time, knox had 7 fraternities, and 5 sororities. We are down to 5 F's and 2 S's.

I'd like to see at least 3 S's at knox. It'll help all of their membership. Right now, I know a number of women at knox who would love to join, but don't feel they'd fit into either of the sororities there.

M.

FuzzieAlum · #12 04-07-2003, 06:15 PM

It was mostly numbers, I think.

Not that I wouldn't love to see it open again, but it wasn't our original Alpha chapter, really. With Lombard closed, our Alpha is in a way gone forever.

Delta_theta · #13 04-07-2003, 06:21 PM

Thats true...in a sense. Our Sigma Nu Chapter at Knox origonaly came from lombard as well. But Lombard and all its alums came over to Knox's family. The Lombard Bell Tower is sitting in one of Knox's courtard, right outside Old Main(site of the 5th Lincon/Douglas debate, way back when), and alumni Hall. Parts of Lombard are still alive.

M.

alphaxi2005 · #14 04-07-2003, 08:41 PM

Oh well, maybe someday we will see a chapter back in Galesburg

I know I would definitly love to have it back. Our chapter is only 15 minutes from Knox and we are the only chapter in this state right now. Monmouth College (my campus) and Knox are rivals and it would be nice to get along with some people over there for a change

Delta_theta · #15 04-07-2003, 09:16 PM

yeah. I've been to MM a few times, for the turkey bowl, and to go to a few parties. I've gone to some of the ZBT parties with a group of Pi Phi Friends of mine. I don't actuly KNOW anyone firsthand at MM, except for this french guy named mark(no longer there), and a guy named Rory. And I met Stinky Pete. but, of course, I know all of them through the Pi Phi's.

I would love to see AXD come back I love the history of the greek system, and to see that piece of our chapter's history return would be incredible. I no longer go to Knox(as I'm joining the air force), I'd return to help out if I could, just to see AXD return.

M.