HELP!!!!

[Johnna]

Hello to all. i need some advice. I am a member of Kappa Lambda Iota (Clio) a local social sorority founded in 1869. We are the biggest sorority on my veryyyyyy small campus (less than 2000 students). Administration is trying to get rid of our greek system by doing various things to make it difficult for us to survive. for example, we are not allowed to have houses so for the past someodd years (a long while before i pledged) each greek organization has had a special room for themselves in our intermural gym. The school tore the gym down last semester and estimates it will be at least 2 years before they even THINK about finding us somewhere else that we can call our own. Not only are we now homeless, but the school has such tight restrictions on any activity we can do. Also, there has always been rivalries between different greek organizations on campus. our IGC (inner greek council) has been trying to create Greek Unity because that is the only way we will survive this. . . but it is not having much luck. Also interest in becoming Greek is declining because of the controversy. So my question is two-fold: a. how do we promote Greek Unity and b. does anyone have any ideas on how to attract interest in our Greek Life? ANY advice at all is greatly appreciated and welcome thanks

Johnna

Regarding the need for a place to meet. I don't know the size of the town your school is in but maybe alums could host at least your chapter meetings in their homes until the problem is fixed or if any alums (I'm talking of the organizations not just the school)- if they own a business in town- maybe let you use the space? As for the unity- I think you just stated the answer in your post - all the greek organizations are out of a place to meet so that would be a prime reason for all the organizations to get together, form some sort of task force and find a way to get a new place to meet (i.e. fundraiser). If your sorority has been around since the 1800's- you must have a huge alum base to help you (and donate funds)! I wish you the best of luck!
Sue

[Oregon Alpha Xi]

Originally posted by Johnna:
Administration is trying to get rid of our greek system by doing various things to make it difficult for us to survive. for example, we are not allowed to have houses so for the past someodd years...

Hon, the house has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not a group will survive. I am in the ONLY unhoused sorority on my campus and we're doing just fine. In fact, I think that it helps our sisterhood because we appreciate our time with each other a lot more. I do understand that it's a little inconvenient at times, but it's not going to make your chapter fall apart. However, the part where you mentioned the lack of Greek unity...without that, the entire system is going to crumble. Obviously not everyone is going to be best friends, or even friends, but there's no reason for bitter rivalries.

[Tom Earp]

As a guy, I got booted out of a Fraternity and started my own that soon affiliated with Lambda Chi Alpha. For a school my size, there has always been tough relations with a growing Greek community. The only reason is because of bad press. They never show the good done by Greeks on campus. Stop and think, if not for the Greeks on campus, what would homecoming be but a football game, high school bands and horses crapping on the street. I am PROUD to be a Lambda Chi Alpha and will always be one as all of you will be of your Fraternity or Soroity!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

[33girl]

Do you have a student center where other organizations such as religious groups, media groups, etc. have designated rooms? If so, the Greeks should have the same opportunity for at least a meeting room for their orgs... for the school to not allow you to do that is blatant discrimination.

If off-campus housing is permitted, go for it, even if only a couple members can live there. If you have to live on campus, take blocks of rooms near each other when you sign up for housing. You might not be allowed to have a recognized suite, but the college can't stop you from having rooms near each other.

Try to have an all-Greek function of some kind, to help build unity. No, everyone is not going to be best friends, but as Benjamin Franklin said, "We must hang together, or we will surely all hang separately."

[Johnna]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I've started a campaign which i hope to be implimented during spring rush focusing on Greek unity. I've put together at least three activities which ALL Greeks on campus will be participating and am trying to get local papers to publicize some of the events. Thanks again for all the great advice