I don't want to reveal my sorority or my school, you'll understand why.
Mods, if this would be more appropriate in another forum, please move as you see fit.
My campus has six sororities. Two of them are very strong (they always make total, they are invited by fraternities to participate in socials, etc.). Two are somewhat strong, but their reputation has been diminishing for several years. The remaining two constantly seem to struggle (they never make total, even with COB; they are rarely invited to mix with fraternities; etc.).
I am in one of the latter mentioned sororities. While we have an incredible sisterhood, we really don't have much respect on campus. I know one of the reasons behind this is that we're seen as the "dumpy" girls. We have women who wear size 14 or larger, women who don't wear much make-up, etc.
We have struggled for years. My older sister went to school here, and was a member of another sorority, but remembers how bad my sorority's reputation was 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten any better.
She was so disappointed that I chose to sign my bid card when she found out which sorority I had chosen. I ranked it 2nd (out of 3) after pref. She thinks I might have even been offered a bid from my top choice (which is in the first category I mentioned), but was extended a bid from this group because I actually ranked it 2nd. There were two people, including me, in my pledge class.
I guess where I'm going with this is, at what point does the school reconsider how many groups it will continue to recognize? How long will it let these two struggling chapters continue to struggle? Or, are the sororities themselves the ones who decide whether or not to continue?
I love my sisters, but we really do have a pathetic reputation here. As awful as it sounds, I'm looking forward to graduation so I can become alum and affiliate with an alumnae group and not my chapter specifically.
I know this sounds bad. I also realize that part of it has to be my fault for not finding SOME way to improve our campus image. But, can you really say to sisters, "You really should lose 50 pounds," or, "Why don't you brush your hair and put on some make-up."?
Please, any help you can provide will be appreciated. I think my chapter's future looks pretty dismal. I'd like to find some kind of way to keep us around, but with a much better image.
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