Rush at UCSC

[dzrose93]

Wishinhopin,

Don't go! I'm sorry that things didn't work out with the group you were interested in, but that doesn't mean you have to leave us here at GreekChat... You've still got plenty to contribute to this board, even if you're not wearing letters! Keep your chin up and smile!

[TechAPhi]

Oh girl! Don't go. Like DZRose93 said, we want you here whether you wear Greek letters or not. Hang in there sweetie! We're with you!

Jen

[carnation]

Wishinhopin,

It sounds like there's definitely room for another GLO on your campus with the numbers you quoted. I really wish you'd consider starting one! We could help you here at GC!!

[TechAPhi]

That's a super idea Carnation. You're right, too. It seems like there are a lot more hopefuls than there are slots to be filled.

Greek Love,
Jen

[wishinhopin]

I was thinking about that too actually. But it was really important to me that I be a part of a national, panhellenic recognized organization, and I don't think I can just randomly start a chapter like that. I don't know if I have the patience to start local and then affiliate. Does anyone know how this process works? I'm sure there's someplace here that I could look at, but I'm having a tough time finding it.

[dzrose93]

Contact the Panhellenic/Greek Affairs office at your school about what requirements are necessary to start a new local sorority on your campus. That's the first step. Once you get that info, report your findings back to us here at GC and we'll see if we can help you out with the details! Good luck, sweetie!!

[carnation]

Go to www.npcwomen.org and read the information about extension and e-mail them! Also, contact the director of Panhellenic at your school; there are obviously many girls who want to go Greek and can't because the one sorority doesn't have enough spots. Also, go to the forums for locals and upcoming nationals.

Ladies--how else can we help her?

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by wishinhopin
It was really important to me that I be a part of a national, panhellenic recognized organization.

Don't lose faith.
I can understand your wanting to be in a Panhellenic sorority, as I love having sisters all over Canada and the USA!
If you find that you are unable to join a Panhellenic sorority while a collegian, it is still possible be initiated into a Panhellenic sorority after college as a "alumna initiate"! I know, because I was! (Go to the Alum Forum...you will see the posts there, under Alumni Honor Initiation thread, and others!)

Also do the Gamma Phi's have COB during the year, or is it a case of once they're full up in September, that's it, no more?

The idea of trying to get another NPC on campus is a great one; however, it can be a lot of work too. But sending a few emails here and there, just to see what it would take might be a good start. Good luck and I am sorry for your disappointment.


Another thing: do not ever think that you were not good enough or that people didn't like you. That is not the case and you will destroy your self esteem. Rather it sounds like there were too many girls rushing for too few spots:
"I guess there are about 50 girls rushing, and only 15 spaces available"

That is why we are all thinking that the time could be right for another NPC to come to your campus. A chapter doesn't have to be huge to get off the ground. Sometimes all it takes is 15-20 people.

carnation, you are right...what can we do to further help this young lady out? Since Gamma Phi is the only NPC group on campus, then there will be no Panhellenic at UCSC and likely no Greek Life Affairs person either that she can seek out for guidance.

[wishinhopin]

There is no panhellenic or Greek life, you're right about that. I just can't understand how I wasn't one of those 15- I guess I just feel like I paid my dues by coming out twice (even though I was totally mortified after being cut once already) and I just feel doubly humiliated now. But I know that I don't need to feel like that, it's just taking me some time to get over it. I would be willing to put forth the effort, that's not a problem at all. I guess I'm just being selfish because I know it often takes a couple years for a local org to get off the ground and affiliated with an npc org, and I want to be able to reap the benefits of a nation wide sisterhood- and I can't help but have a desire to wear letters that people might actually recognize. I don't really know what to do next. I went to the npcwomen website but couldn't find a whole lot of info on how to create a new chapter. I totally appreciate the advice, if anyone else has any also, I'd love to hear it!

[carnation]

Let's see...okay, do these things concurrently. Email the women at NPC and tell them what you told us about 50 rushees, 15 bids. Then call around at your school and find out who's in charge of the student organizations: a dean, a director, whatever, of student life and tell him or her the same thing. It would be good if they could set up a meeting of interested women--make sure there are posters and anouncements everywhere! If you have good numbers of truly interested women, you'll surely find a GLO who'll come out there!

[greeklawgirl]

wishinhopin,

I was panhellenic president on my campus when we opened up to NPC extension, so I am somewhat familiar with the process. If you need any assistance at all, please don't hesitate to pm me. Everyone here at GC is behind you 100%.

[mmcat]

these ladies have offered fine advice...
give it a chance.
and don't let it get you down. it sounds like a numbers' game to me.
sweetie, you sound like a marvelous girl.
give the local a try.
you might just surprise yourself.
mmcat

[CutiePie2000]

Thanks to the blessing of email and the internet, here is where you can email people of the NPC and tell them what happened with the 15 bids and 50 rushees..... (I pinched this off of one of the websites...it doesn't matter which one, but it was there for the taking...hope that it helps!)

----------------------------
How is NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) involved with the extension process?

The Extension Committee of the National Panhellenic Conference serves as a clearinghouse for colleges, Panhellenics, and individual fraternities in the field of extension. All NPC groups have agreed upon fair and orderly extension procedures, which are directed by the NPC extension committee. _____ (sorority name) carefully follows these guidelines and cooperates fully with both the local college administration and NPC.

The Extension Committee of NPC will assist any campus wishing to add an NPC sorority chapter or establish a Panhellenic system. The Extension Committee will also assist any local sorority wishing to affiliate with ____ (sorority name) or any other National Panhellenic Conference member group. Any individual, college Panhellenic, or local sorority needing information should contact:

Extension Committee of NPC
NPC Central Office
3905 Vincennes Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 872-3185 - phone
(317) 872-3192 - fax
npccentral@npcwomen.com
www.npcwomen.org
______________
What do I do if I want to inquire about bringing a sorority to my campus?

NPC has established guidelines providing for orderly expansion procedures, which all NPC groups adhere to. An NPC group can express interest in colonization by filing a letter of interest with a college or university but the sorority is unable to contact students unless the campus is officially open for extension
_______________________
carnation gives excellent advice, I would contact the NPC and let them know that there were lots of rushees but not much space for bids or new members. The NPC will put the word out to its 26 members and will be able to tell you whether there is any NPC group that has their eye on setting up a colony and eventual, chapter, at UCSC. It is worth a try! Good luck! We are behind you!

[shadokat]

OK, as the advisor of a new colony, let me explain something. The university where our new colony exists did NOT have an interest group or local sorority looking for affiliation. They simply had too many women going through recruitment for the amount of sororities on campus (3). So, after the campus realized this, they did the NPC extension, and followed all of the procedures, and D Phi E was selected to be the new organization on campus. D Phi E went into campus, and with the cooperation of one of the greatest Panhellenics I've ever seen, we had our own recruitment with alumnae and national folks. We recruited over 40 women, extended bids, and are having our formal colonization on October 6th. The process of extension took about a year, with all the presentations and such, but we are looking to have this group chartered within a year, so it's not as long term as you think.

Imagine being the founder of a new organization!!! That, to me, is the most exciting prospect, and I would've loved that opportunity. So think seriously about that. I don't know what year you are wishin, but if you're a sophomore or freshman, I'd say it's a definite thing to think about. I'll bet there are more women on your campus that didn't get invited to Gamma Phi who would love to help! Find out that information from your group that you hung out with. If there's interest, you're one step closer!

[aephi alum]

wishinhopin, I strongly encourage you to try bringing a new sorority to your campus - either local or NPC. Seems to me that if 50 girls were rushing for 15 spaces, that's 35 girls who want to be in a sorority and didn't get into Gamma Phi. 35 girls is a viable colony - heck, my local sorority had only 10 members when we became a colony of AEPhi, and only 22 when we were chartered - and that's on a campus where chapter total was 80!

If bringing an NPC sorority to your campus doesn't work out immediately, by all means, start a local. Even if your local doesn't become part of a regional or national sorority, you will still get many of the benefits of Greek life, including sisters you'll have forever.

Good luck!