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What are the remaining NPC groups that don't have chapters at IU? I believe there are a small handful, and some of them had chapters there that folded. Didn't Sigma Kappa build a gorgeous house on that campus some years ago, only to have the chapter not make it? I may be recalling the wrong house, so please forgive me if I don't remember the story right anymore.
AOII did return to campus successfully, but it was a recolonization after a relatively short housecleaning, shall we say. I'm really happy that it generated such positive upswing for recruitment as a whole. But since it had a long history at IU, with a groundswell of alum and national support for a newly built home and return to active status, the chapter was on optimal footing to make a great comeback. I imagine the campus panhellenic wanted and needed this chapter to have a strong return, too, to accommodate more of the many wonderful women who go through recruitment. You really need that perfect storm, though, for everything to go right for the long term.
I am not convinced that letting go of the bed quota and live-in requirements at IU would sound the deathknell of successful chapter life at IU. Many other large state campuses do not require full chapter live-in and seem to do just fine with chapters as large as 200 women. I am sure women from those other schools are not lamenting a year living out of the house or saying that they have lost a uniqueness in chapter character for it. IU is not the only campus to have over 1,000 women going through, and yet, the placement stats there are by far the worst on a national scale. To simply say it is mostly a matter of PNM quality (or lack thereof) is inaccurate. Many of the 150 who found no match last year had maximized their options throughout recruitment. Some had a full dance ticket. Were they not worthy of membership in a house?
Yes, many IU freshmen succumb to tent talk and fail to keep an open mind. They don't make it because they don't know how or don't want to play the game. But many more DO play the game, do have the grades and other positive qualities, and would make great members. Yet, everyone's still sitting around counting beds?!!
I am just not persuaded that, simply because IU has done things this way forever, it should remain the case. IU markets itself as a school with tradition, and a big part of that tradition and package is Greek life. The school sells that to parents and incoming students. Does it mention in the brochure that about 50% of those girls who go through recruitment will likely never see a sorority bid? We do not promise or guarantee membership, but as part of NPC, we should all work towards greatest opportunity possible for PNMs. I think work needs to be done at IU to achieve that.
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