You're right. The requirements to start a new chapter of Theta Nu Xi are rather stringent, which is why we recommend that interests not advertise their interest until the time is right.
These two links might shed some light on the final outcome:
I remember this thread from back when I was still an interest and lurking on GC. While I don't know her/much about NBO I can say it doesn't surprise me in the least that things didn't work out.
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