Colonization at the University of Alabama?!?

[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).

[Cruise4fun]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

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).

Don't forget about the University of Central Arkansas colony(recolonization last spring)

....I was going to say something else...but nevermind

[SWTXBelle]

I would hope that UA Panhellenic would not be swayed by anonymous postings on a website. The discussion has been respectful, and it has been clearly stated that it is all hypothetical. As long as the discussion continues to be positive, I don't think it need be stopped.

[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.

[UGAalum94]

I apologized if this has been mentioned before, but to some degree it will be easier than it has been in the past, simply because there are release figures, quota additions, guaranteed placement at Bama, etc, now.

No doubt a colony or two is facing an uphill climb, but some of the factors make it easier on the less well established groups than it used to be.

I think Sigma Sigma Sigma has a chapter at Olgethorpe in Atlanta as well as at Armstrong State near Savannah, so while neither is extremely close to Tuscaloosa, there are chapters in neighboring states.

And, of course I don't know and I'm not downplaying the importance of tradition, but I think having more out of state girls as a percentage of total enrollment will help since they may not be so completely aware of what the traditions on campus are. They might be a little more open minded.

[honeychile]

Putting aside the number of local chapters, do any of the five "new" GLOs have a goodly alumnae base? I would think that would be at least as important in a colonization - and I know it's something we check out first.

[sailboatgirl]

According to our national website, Sigma does not have an active alumnae chapter in Alabama...so I doubt that we have a good concentration of alumnae in the area. Also, as someone mentioned, with our upcoming colonization at Mizzou (a state where there are 6 alumnae chapters and 8 collegiate chapters), we will have our hands more than full. I personally wouldn't want to see us over-extend with too many large-school colonies...especially one that would be such a huge financial and volunteer undertaking.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I think Sigma Sigma Sigma has a chapter at Olgethorpe in Atlanta as well as at Armstrong State near Savannah, so while neither is extremely close to Tuscaloosa, there are chapters in neighboring states.

Oglethorpe & Armstrong State are small potatoes compared to Univ. of Alabama. Neither would hold very much clout in Tuscaloosa.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

Oglethorpe & Armstrong State are small potatoes compared to Univ. of Alabama. Neither would hold very much clout in Tuscaloosa.

I think they are fine institutions, but I was just thinking in terms of being a group who had never been at UA who does have a little southern presence, not so much that they would dominate, say, DG in alumnae power or support.

[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!