Kappa Alpha Theta Closes U. of Vermont Chapter

[exlurker]

Kappa Alpha Theta international HQ has closed its U. of Vermont chapter for alcohol-related risk management reasons, according to a short Associated Press article posted on the WCAX-TV web site:

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=3275875

[33girl]

24 members?? Are all the chapters at UVM that small? Not that 24 isn't a lovely size I just expected a flagship school to have larger chapters.

[kddani]

Originally posted by 33girl
24 members?? Are all the chapters at UVM that small? Not that 24 isn't a lovely size I just expected a flagship school to have larger chapters.

'

what do you mean by flagship school?

[33girl]

Usually when something's called the University of Insert State Name Here it's the biggest in the state. Except for PA of course

Maybe that's not the exact definition of flagship, I just didnt' know what else to call it.

[kddani]

Originally posted by 33girl
Usually when something's called the University of Insert State Name Here it's the biggest in the state. Except for PA of course

Maybe that's not the exact definition of flagship, I just didnt' know what else to call it.

Lol, okay, I just didn't know what you meant and thought I was missing something. I just started thinking of flagship stores, like Dick's over in Robinson and American Eagle, lol

[TxAPhi]

Flagship in language
As with so many other naval terms, flagship has crossed over into common parlance, where it means the most important or leading member of a group. It also come to be an adjective, as in the "flagship product" of a manufacturing company. A flagship station is also the "home" station of a broadcast network. from wikipedia


A flagship store of clothing or grocery chain may get new products first to check out how they shold be marketed or what their success may be at other stores. It may also just look "fancier" and have more features and square footage. A flagship journal could be the most respected publication in that field.



The "flagship university" discussion is a hot one in Texas:

Interesting article on comparison between Texas and California systems in success in creating flagship universities - http://tspweb02.tsp.utexas.edu/webar...01_s04_UT.html

How many do we need? How many can we afford? California has nine, though with a much larger population. In time, Texas should have six—in addition to UT-Austin and A&M, one in the Dallas area, one in San Antonio, one in Houston, one in Lubbock—but not all at once; they should be put on a track to reach flagship status over a period of years.

Examples:
Texas State - http://www.shsu.edu/~org_sga/legisla...Evaluation.pdf
http://www.universitystar.com/main/article?aid=295
UT-Arlington - http://www.theshorthorn.com/archive/...110603-03.html
U of Houston - http://www2.egr.uh.edu/news/Make_UH_next_flagship.html

Also in the "race" are U of North Texas, UT-Dallas, UT-San Antonio, Texas Tech.



Like 33girl said, there are many different variables/definitions for naming a flagship university, and they usually include "the University of Insert State Name Here". U of Virginia, U of Michigan, Cal-Berkeley, and U of Texas are just some examples.

Do a google search for flagship university and you will see the different definitions, perceptions, and debate on what the flagship status entails, if it is important, and if a university should pursue it.


Some definitions of a flagship university you will find out there:

Flagship public universities = 147 public universities designated as “national universities” in U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Colleges, 1999. They offer a full range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. Many place strong emphasis on research and receive funding for their research endeavors.

a university that performs extensive research, has a high quality doctoral programs, and benefits other schools in the system as well as having national prestige

Research Productivity• External funding• Number of undergraduate/graduate students and programs• Quality of undergraduate/graduate students and programs• Quality of campus life• Collaborations and Outreach (image)



ETA: some clarification on Texas universities.

[LouisaMay]

Hey...that's really interesting. You learn something everyday!

[mmcat]

how sad for those 24....

[Aduladi]

The women here are pretty upset, not just them, but the entire Greek Community. It really is sad.

On the issue of flagship:

I gues UVM is the 'flagship' here. We are the largest, but having been to other Universities and worked at other schools, this is a small school

On the issue of numbers:

Actually I think that the news article misrepresented the number of members-that was the number of people living in the house. The chapter had around 75 active members.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Aduladi
On the issue of numbers:

Actually I think that the news article misrepresented the number of members-that was the number of people living in the house. The chapter had around 75 active members.

That's kind of what I thought. Outside news outlets aren't too swift about this type of thing sometimes.

[GreekGirl604]

I used to go to UVM. The chapters are around 70-80 girls usually, with the exception of one house, which i believe has grown a lot larger than it was when I was there 4 years ago. They are probably talking about the girls who actually live in the house. The houses there are pretty small. When I pledged Pi Phi, there were only 12 girls who were living in the house, and that was as many as it could hold. So Aduladi is probably right about that.

[theta4life]

The chapter had about 50 members. They were one of the smallest, but felt they had a special sisterhood. They were completely shocked by the decision of Nationals.

[Tom Earp]

This from what I have read is very unfortunate situation. Maybe comeing from a NIC memeber, it may not mean as much, but NPC seems to go by numbers instead of what is being accomplished by these Ladys.

Numbers are not the only point that should be taken into consideration.

While I have never agreed with how NPC works, it is pretty much a proven fact that Greeks are in a down trend or if lucky just holding.

I have discussed this with The School Greek Advisor who seems to care less with 3 Sororitys and 6 Fraternitys.

Why try to attract New People who may be aware of GLOs who are not there because all of them dont have numbers?

My question is, if some others were in attendence at a School and The Greek System was stronger, would it not benefit all Greeks? Well if they could get along and work together which they normaly dont!

When Oh When will We ever Learn?

[33girl]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
This from what I have read is very unfortunate situation. Maybe comeing from a NIC memeber, it may not mean as much, but NPC seems to go by numbers instead of what is being accomplished by these Ladys.

Numbers are not the only point that should be taken into consideration.

As far as this instance is concerned, we're hearing 2 different sides: one that it is due to numbers, and one that it is due to alcohol/risk management issues. Since Theta is being closed mouthed (as most groups do in a closure) and since it is probably too near to the end of the year for anything to get into the school paper, it's hard to tell. Also, we're hearing very wide ranging reports of what their membership actually was.

[thetalady]

Originally posted by theta4life
The chapter had about 50 members. They were one of the smallest, but felt they had a special sisterhood. They were completely shocked by the decision of Nationals.

I feel compelled to reply to this. I am not doing so as any kind of representative of Theta, but a plain old GLO member.

This information is posted on the open section of the Theta National website:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lambda Chapter

On April 22, Grand Council of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity voted unanimously to close the Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Vermont. Despite ongoing support and education provided to the chapter by Fraternity officers and staff, recent chapter activities constituted serious violations of Fraternity policies and were contrary to the Fraternity’s basic principles.

While Theta’s presence at the University of Vermont has ended for the foreseeable future, the Fraternity values Lambda Chapter’s 124-year history and the many fine members who continue to be an asset to the Fraternity. Distinguished past chapter members include the first women inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and a Fraternity president.

Please note that chapter members have been instructed that all information concerning the chapter discipline is confidential.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now that you all have read this, I have a couple of comments.

First, if the closing was a surprise to anyone in this chapter, someone is not telling the truth.

Second, does anyone imagine that closing one of our earliest chapters was done in haste? without very careful thought & consideration? without giving the chapter support & guidance? without telling them the inviolable rules and standards of the organization?

Of course not. No GLO prefers closing a chapter to finding solutions to problems.