Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to.

I see your point (and rhoyaltempest's), but just because that's part of the reason you joined doesn't mean everybody joins looking for that.

Your question -- "why so many Greek letter orgs" -- doesn't have one answer. Some people start new orgs because they don't see what they are looking for in the existing ones. Some because they want to be part of something new. Maybe even some because no one else wants them. There are a whole variety of reasons and combination of reasons.

And AOII Angel is right -- it's always been this way. You might as well ask, just to use an example, why did three friends start the Philomathean Society at Wesleyan College when there was already an Adelphian Society? Why did anybody in Farmville, VA, think that Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Sigma Alpha were needed when they already had Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma? Why did Miami of Ohio need Beta Theta Pi when it already had "eastern" fraternities, or Sigma Chi or Phi Delta Theta when it had Beta?

Ever since the founding of Kappa Alpha Society in 1825, students have formed new GLOs. Some have survived, some haven't, and some have merged with other groups. But I'd bet that when most of them were founded, their founders saw a niche or a need that they didn't think was being filled and they went for it.

Maybe it is a simple answer after all.

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Why did Miami of Ohio need Beta Theta Pi when it already had "eastern" fraternities, or Sigma Chi or Phi Delta Theta when it had Beta?

I think Sigma Chi is a fairly poor example. It wasn't started because there wasn't anything else there they wanted to join, it was started because the founders felt that they couldn't with good conscience remain associated with DKE.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

I think Sigma Chi is a fairly poor example. It wasn't started because there wasn't anything else there they wanted to join, it was started because the founders felt that they couldn't with good conscience remain associated with DKE.

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by TSteven

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

Exactly. Though perhaps I could have been a little more precise and asked why start Sigma Chi when DKE (rather than just Beta) was already on campus.

[Tom Earp]

Today, there are many reasons that locals are started even back in the olden days.

It mostly was the same thing, they didn't feel right for the individuals so they looked to something else.

Today there are Asian, Latino, and Multi-Cultured being started becauswe they want to fit in with as was well said, niche.

That always made me think that the existing GLOs did not do enough to bring them in or maybe they felt left out?

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by TSteven

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

The niche was being met. The founders were originally initiated DKEs (except for one). Then they decided that they couldn't condone the way DKE was acting anymore, so they went out on their own.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

The niche was being met. The founders were originally initiated DKEs (except for one). Then they decided that they couldn't condone the way DKE was acting anymore, so they went out on their own.

Excellent point!

DKE one of the Union Triad to this day are not very active in expansion.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But I'd bet that when most of them were founded, their founders saw a niche or a need that they didn't think was being filled and they went for it.

Maybe it is a simple answer after all.

Source

From 1900-1905, however, enrollment at Syracuse doubled. This is what led Dr. Coddington to discuss the need for more organizations with Marguerite Shepard, class of 1905.

Another article from the Alpha Gam Quarterly speaks further of our Syracuse Triad and "Dr. Coddy":

It is not known how much, if any, of her experience in Alpha Phi Helen Dodge drew upon when she founded Gamma Phi Beta. Or how much or how little Professor Coddy carried from Alpha Phi to Alpha Gamma Delta. Or what portion of Professor Coddy's and Chancellor Haven's experience in Phi Nu Theta might have been incorporated into all three women's groups. The monogram pins are practically indistinguishable until you get your nose in her bosom. We can see that. They are all the superimposed Greek letters, which, by the way, distinguishes most fraternities founded in the East from those founded in the West or South, which generally have emblem badges. But just to be sure, next time you see a Gamma Phi Beta or an Alpha Phi, give a wink. We may all be sisters under the badge.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

The niche was being met. The founders were originally initiated DKEs (except for one). Then they decided that they couldn't condone the way DKE was acting anymore, so they went out on their own.

I'd say that the niche or need of an organization that behaved in a way they believed they could condone and be part of was not being met -- otherwise they'd have stayed loyal Dekes.

But you say tomato, I say tomahto -- either perhaps misses the main point I was trying to make. That main point was this: Even 170 years ago, any time a new fraternity or sorority started on a campus that already had an existing one, the same question that PhiMu_Gator posed could be asked -- why start a new organization instead of just joining (or being part of) what's already there?

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

DKE one of the Union Triad to this day are not very active in expansion.

DKE is not part of the Union Triad; it was founded at Yale. The Union Triad is Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi.

[H0NEY1987]

I am a cofounder of a local organization. Before comitting myself and others to joining my sorority, I was told to take a wise look at other existing organizations. My campus is fairly moderate in size, with just 3npc groups, one service sorority and seven fraternities, a person in my situation felt that another organization could be beneficial to campus. The effort it takes to submit a request, petition, and gain status as a colony of another organization takes alot more time, nearly a full academic year, before granted status as a recognized chapter. Not to mention the paper work, but I had to make sure the already exsisted organization would fit me personally, even after I learned its history, ideals, and other important things. I would have needed approval from current members of the local ifc and other requirements. At the time the idea of beginning a new group altogether, with a purpose i personally knew fit my idea of greek life seemed very appealing. with encouragement from other students and close friends i pursued the second route. as my group developed more, i enjoyed the activities we perform and i prefer to maintain membership in this organization rather than to be absorbed into a larger group. While i know many offer the possibility to organizie chapters based on previous happenings of the local chapter, i know many nationals have guidelines, and some may not fit with the way my organization is run. Now that i learn more about other sororities that remind me of my own sorority, i can understand how it may appear newer organizations are not needed, but i know what i love about my sisterhood, and i dont feel like i could ever achieve that level in any other organization.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by H0NEY1987

The effort it takes to submit a request, petition, and gain status as a colony of another organization takes alot more time, nearly a full academic year, before granted status as a recognized chapter. Not to mention the paper work, but I had to make sure the already exsisted organization would fit me personally, even after I learned its history, ideals, and other important things. I would have needed approval from current members of the local ifc and other requirements.

I think this is the main reason for rampant founderitis. Attracting an established organization and founding a colony takes a lot of work, time, blood, sweat and tears. In far too many cases, it's easier to just start your own organization than to pursue one for...say...four years (like me) and longer for a number of people on GC.

As H0NEY1987 also mentioned, her group didn't want to be restricted by the rules of a national organization. While this is understandable, colleges and universities are beginning to measure all of their campus Greeks against the rules and regulations of national organizations. So, I foresee that many locals will either have to disband or fall in line in the very near future, if it hasn't already taken place.

In response to the thread in general, I believe everyone who has posted thus far has given great reasons for the abundance of Greek organizations. We just have to wait it out and see which organizations stand the test of time.

We also have to remember that Greek life has gone through some phases and movements, which is why you see lots of younger Latin, Asian and multicultural GLOs today. Just as it was in the beginning with NPC, some of these organzations will not make it and some have already disbanded.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'd say that the niche or need of an organization that behaved in a way they believed they could condone and be part of was not being met -- otherwise they'd have stayed loyal Dekes.

But you say tomato, I say tomahto -- either perhaps misses the main point I was trying to make. That main point was this: Even 170 years ago, any time a new fraternity or sorority started on a campus that already had an existing one, the same question that PhiMu_Gator posed could be asked -- why start a new organization instead of just joining (or being part of) what's already there?

DKE is not part of the Union Triad; it was founded at Yale. The Union Triad is Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi.

MysticCat...i always enjoy your precise and well thought out posts!

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Ever since the founding of Kappa Alpha Society in 1825, students have formed new GLOs. Some have survived, some haven't, and some have merged with other groups.

I think we will see organization closures and merging amongst some of the newer orgs after they encounter some of the general issues that well established orgs have/had such as funding, lawsuits, and maintaining a steady membership of devoted members.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

I think we will see organization closures and merging amongst some of the newer orgs after they encounter some of the general issues that well established orgs have/had such as funding, lawsuits, and maintaining a steady membership of devoted members.

That's almost inevitable. Who knows...we may not always have 26 NPCs! Some NPCs have folded in the past so nothing is certain.

[PANTHERTEKE]

I do agree that there is an abundance of Greek orgs- especially the Mutlicultural, Asian, Latin, etc.

I understand the argument that they fit a niche on certain campuses, but I think it'll be interesting to see where all these newer orgs that were founded in 1980s on up are 50 years from now.

Most of these orgs were founded because their founders didn't feel at home with a "mainstream" historically White fraternity or sorority.

But what will happen when their "niche" starts to subside and you have, for example, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th generation Asians/Hispanics/South-Asians/etc who are assimilated and don't feel the need to stick to an organization that promotes their culture? Will these organizations eventually die off, or will they stick around and continue to serve their purpose and niche?

Take for example my school, FIU, that has about 39,000 students of which about 58% are Hispanic. You would think that the Latin fraternties/sororities- like the Lambdas, LTA, LUL, SLG, etc- would be huge at such a school, but actually that's not the case. The majority of people in IFC/PC groups are Hispanic and the demographics of the school reflect upon the demographics of Greeks, maybe because the Hispanics that grow up in S.Florida (where most FIU students are from) are 2nd, 3rd generation and grew up with a more "assimilated" lifestyle than in other hispanic parts of the country.

So what is my point? Eventually, as the generations pass and America changes, the niche of a lot of these orgs will diminish and people will need more reasons besides "oh I'm [insert ethnicity here] so I'm going to join a [insert ethnicity here] fraternity" to join these orgs.

Didn't mean to hijack, but its just something to think about.