Colonization at the University of Alabama?!?

[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.