New Sorority on Campus?

33girl · #1 01-31-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeJuice

Hi!
My school has one of the most extensive Greek systems in the country. Our recruitment went so well this year that our panhel is considering inviting one of five sororities to restart a chapter that has been discontinued. There's a vote for it coming up. Personally, I have one concern. Two of the 20 social sororities in our panhellenic council have consistantly had trouble recruiting girls. I'm just afraid that a new house could hurt chapters that are already on campus. Thoughts?

Are the 2 you mention NPC members nationally or just members on UI's panhel? If it's the latter, their inconsistent recruitment may not matter as much.

#2 01-31-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Are the 2 you mention NPC members nationally or just members on UI's panhel? If it's the latter, their inconsistent recruitment may not matter as much.

FYI:

The UIUC's PHC sororities

LaneSig · #3 01-31-2007, 03:36 PM

Just curious: What NPC groups have closed chapters at Illinois? Have any groups not had a chapter there?

AlphaFrog · #4 01-31-2007, 03:41 PM

ASA's never had a chapter at UofI.

33girl · #5 01-31-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

ASA's never had a chapter at UofI.

Actually we did - our Epsilon Beta chapter was there from around 1982-1993.

From the OP - it doesn't seem that the Panhel at UI is definitely expanding - there is a vote coming up and just because there are only 2 chapters that seem to be having numbers problems - doesn't mean the other chapters will vote in favor of it. The situation she outlines is by no means a "done deal."

OrangeJuice - I know they are all national - but are the ones with lower numbers any of the 26 NPC member groups? That was my question.

AlphaFrog · #6 02-01-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Actually we did - our Epsilon Beta chapter was there from around 1982-1993.

Damn. What were we thinking?? Competing at UofI is the Midwest's version of Bama or LSU.

ZTAngel · #7 02-01-2007, 08:42 AM

ZTA had it's Alpha Kappa chapter at UI from 1921-1994.

DeltaBetaBaby · #8 02-13-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Damn. What were we thinking?? Competing at UofI is the Midwest's version of Bama or LSU.

Just for the record, it really isn't. More than half the women coming through rush don't know anything about greek life, very few chapters require recs, and chapters climb and fall within the social tiers every five years. The chapter houses are nice, but most women don't want to live in them, so the smaller the better. Believe me, it is not the South.

Sister Havana · #9 02-14-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Damn. What were we thinking?? Competing at UofI is the Midwest's version of Bama or LSU.

No, that would be Indiana.

OrangeJuice · #10 02-01-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

OrangeJuice - I know they are all national - but are the ones with lower numbers any of the 26 NPC member groups? That was my question.

Yes, both of the ones I'm talking about are NPC sororities.

33girl · #11 02-01-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeJuice

Yes, both of the ones I'm talking about are NPC sororities.

Thanks.

Jess - it was the 80s. Things were cheaper (i.e. expansion and running things in general) and Greek life was a lot more popular everywhere. The chapter did quite well for most of its run, from what I remember, and the pics I saw of our house were adorable!

adpiucf · #12 01-31-2007, 03:42 PM

Seeing as the decision has been made to expand, I wouldn't be concerned about the smaller chapters' feelings. I am sure they had a chance to voice their objections before the campus opened for expansion. And if the majority of the chapters are bursting at the seams, a new chapter on campus will help even out the rest to a manageable size. All of the sororities receive regular support from their nationals in the form of traveling consultants, advisers, trainings, etc. I am sure they are aware of chapters that are struggling and are giving them the best help and resources they can. I think it is great that you are concerned-- continue to be a supportive Panhellenic sister and support their efforts at informal recruitment, their philanthropies, etc. Good luck to your campus on its expansion!

Tom Earp · #13 01-31-2007, 04:10 PM

While it is great news about expansion, there will always be Chapters who are having problems especially when it comes to NPC and expansion.

The need to keep figuring numbers of members will continualy hold down expansion at many school such as smaller schools.

Yes, of course it is harder for smaller GLOs to compete at major schools. As we all know, everyone wants to be on Major schools, but if it does not fit well then there is your answer.

Bigger name GLOs always have a step up on the smaller ones who started at Teacher Colleges such as ASA and SSS. No disrespect at all toward them as they both are on my Alama Mater.

But, facts are proof of the pudding.

33girl · #14 02-13-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Seeing as the decision has been made to expand, I wouldn't be concerned about the smaller chapters' feelings. I am sure they had a chance to voice their objections before the campus opened for expansion. And if the majority of the chapters are bursting at the seams, a new chapter on campus will help even out the rest to a manageable size. All of the sororities receive regular support from their nationals in the form of traveling consultants, advisers, trainings, etc. I am sure they are aware of chapters that are struggling and are giving them the best help and resources they can.

You're kidding, right?

DeltaBetaBaby · #15 02-13-2007, 11:23 PM

The way that quota/total is at Illinois right now, another chapter can actually help the smaller chapters. Quota is usually around 50, but total is only 145. If a group returns in the fall with 100 women and makes quota, they are still about 30 women smaller than the larger chapters. Knocking quota down by a few women can help out over time. It would help the larger chapters too, because many of them have gotten so big that there are more women who want to live in the house than the house can accomodate. Overall, it is probably the right thing for the campus.

Like I said, my biggest concern will be the COB moratorium. That means that if suzie PNM joins XYZ and her roommate meets the XYZ's and loves them, XYZ can not give suzie's roommate a bid because ABC is colonizing. Never mind the fact that there is zero chance suzie's roommate will go join ABC. This happened a few years ago when one of the struggling groups was reorganizing. They asked for a COB moratorium. Two other groups that usually COB opposed it, but were outvoted.

In my opinion, they should instead ask for something like a moratorium on advertising COB events, so existing chapters could continue to recruit women they already know, while the new chapter would have the benefit of being the only one advertising in the paper, chalking the quad, etc. to get the women who never rushed. Or, they could have a moratorium on COB for chapters that are already over total. I just have a huge problem with a chapter being told they can't COB.