Colonization at the University of Alabama?!?

[Titchou]

Well, a group could decide not to present when invited to do so...but they can't say we'll present in '09 if the university wants someone in '08. Or they could say they'd rather wait until whenever but the decision ultimately rests with the University about when to proceed with expansion, not the GLO.

[kk_bama]

From what I have heard, they want to bring one on in fall of '08 and one in fall of '09.

IMHO, UA should have done more to help SDT, that way UA would only have to bring one sorority on. I have a sinking feeling that if two are brought on that quickly, one won't survive. So many have come and gone at UA.

[fyrnymph]

Do you think the rise in out of state admissions might make a difference?

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by fyrnymph

Do you think the rise in out of state admissions might make a difference?

A difference in a new chapter making it? No. The culture at UA is that tradition is key, and tradition = older. So a new chapter is always fighting an uphill battle. SK and GPhiB were faced with this in 1988, and only GPhiB survived. How GPhiB has thrived to this point? I don't know the exact recipe, but I know having members who are very involved in campus activities, who reach out to other Greeks, and who embrace UA's tradition, along with Internationals firmly backing the chapter, has helped.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I also forgot to mention (this many have been mentioned before) that I've also heard that UA wants at least one of the new sororities to be brand-new to UA, if not both.

That's pretty interesting because only 5 NPCs have never been at Alabama - Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Theta Phi Alpha, and Phi Sigma Sigma. Considering the capital investment and the alumnae support needed, I don't know if Bama would be able to convince 2 out of that 5 to colonize.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I agree. I think it's much more likely to get 1 new colonization and 1 recolonization, or 2 recolonizations.

Do any of the above 5 sororities have chapters in the state, or in surrounding states? I recall that Tri Sig has some chapters in the Carolinas.

ASA has a chapter at U of West Alabama and one at Austin Peay in Nashville TN, but that's about it. Our U of Southern Miss chapter closed like 15 years ago.

I've been wrong before, but I'm pretty sure we won't be pursuing this one. We don't have the resources or the Southern connections. SSS is the only one of the 5 that I think could MAYBE do it, and they've got their hands full with Mizzou.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Sigma Sigma Sigma is the only one of the 5 that I think could MAYBE do it, and they've got their hands full with Mizzou.

True. I don't see us pursuing Bama at this time when we have Mizzou to focus on. It's going to be a HUGE undertaking and we are fucusing alot of our membership development (expansion) team resources on getting ready for it (while also managing our 2 current colonies at Pratt (NY) & UW-Parkside).

[LegallyBrunette]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I agree. I think it's much more likely to get 1 new colonization and 1 recolonization, or 2 recolonizations.

Do any of the above 5 sororities have chapters in the state, or in surrounding states? I recall that Tri Sig has some chapters in the Carolinas.

Definitely interesting. There aren't any Theta Phi chapters in Alabama. Even if there were, though, I'd be curious about the financial feasability---it sounds like an absolutely enormous undertaking and our recent extensions have been to much smaller schools with less prohibitive entry costs.

Disclaimer: I'm not a National Officer or anything, just an interested alum who's speculating.

ETA: We do have 3 chapters in Florida.

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by LegallyBrunette

Definitely interesting. There aren't any Theta Phi chapters in Alabama. Even if there were, though, I'd be curious about the financial feasability---it sounds like an absolutely enormous undertaking and our recent extensions have been to much smaller schools with less prohibitive entry costs.

It would be a big financial undertaking -- there is the possibility that SDT may rent out its house to a new colony, but a second colony would probably have to have a dorm suite (probably at Tutwiler across the street), much like at Auburn.

Or, both colonies could get dorm suites, which would make the finances less burdensome in the beginning. But I would suspect that having suites may hurt during Recruitment, as most of the PNMs would probably want to join a chapter with a house already standing.

[OleMissGlitter]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

A difference in a new chapter making it? No. The culture at UA is that tradition is key, and tradition = older. So a new chapter is always fighting an uphill battle. SK and GPhiB were faced with this in 1988, and only GPhiB survived. How GPhiB has thrived to this point? I don't know the exact recipe, but I know having members who are very involved in campus activities, who reach out to other Greeks, and who embrace UA's tradition, along with Internationals firmly backing the chapter, has helped.

I think the recipe that GPhiB followed was perfect. Really, any new chapter at any school should follow that and of course at the Southern schools more so than others. I think having members who are involved with other aspects of the University and Community are huge as well. I would also gather having strong chapters at other SEC schools helps out as well. I also think having colony members who are strong already on campus helps out as well. Those upper classmen they pick for the colony who are already in Student Body, Athletics, Cheer, Honor Clubs, etc can really help form a chapter's identity early on.

But that's just what I think!