Scary Quota Numbers

[naraht]

University of Arkansas, according to its website has only 8 NPC sororities on the school website: ADPi, AOPi, ChiO, Tri-Delta, KD, KKG, PBPhi, and ZTA. With only 8 NPC sororities at an SEC school, there is *definitely* room for expansion. I'd be shocked if this *wasn't* the smallest number of NPC sororities of any SEC schools. Does anyone know if the school has lost any NPC sororities in the last 5 years?

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by naraht

University of Arkansas, according to its website has only 8 NPC sororities on the school website: ADPi, AOPi, ChiO, Tri-Delta, KD, KKG, PBPhi, and ZTA. With only 8 NPC sororities at an SEC school, there is *definitely* room for expansion. I'd be shocked if this *wasn't* the smallest number of NPC sororities of any SEC schools. Does anyone know if the school has lost any NPC sororities in the last 5 years?

Arkansas' NPC culture is very similar to Ole Miss, which is also very greek but only has 9 NPC groups.

You reap what you sow

[carnation]

You know what has played into the large pledge classes we're seeing in the NPC? The fairly recent difficulty of getting into UGa as a freshman or UT because of the 10% rule. A lot of kids who would've easily gotten into either back in the day still want the huge university experience so they leave their home states for Arkansas, Auburn, Bama, and Ole Miss. I write most of my recs for those 4 schools.

[arrowlady]

Originally Posted by carnation

You know what has played into the large pledge classes we're seeing in the NPC? The fairly recent difficulty of getting into UGa as a freshman or UT because of the 10% rule. A lot of kids who would've easily gotten into either back in the day still want the huge university experience so they leave their home states for Arkansas, Auburn, Bama, and Ole Miss. I write most of my recs for those 4 schools.

I think the out of state tuition waver that Arkansas has for gpa, is really growing the numbers of kids attending there as well. Great school and reasonable tuition is pulling lots of kids from Texas for sure.

[UGAalum94]

I understand and agree with the "you reap what you sow" comment, but it's probably a little unfair to hold the folks there today responsible for a campus culture that probably took generations to build.

Other than facilitating housing, which probably involves a lot of money that would be hard to defend to the campus community at large, what can the University or Greek life really do to fix things?

[Smile_Awhile]

Originally Posted by carnation

You know what has played into the large pledge classes we're seeing in the NPC? The fairly recent difficulty of getting into UGa as a freshman or UT because of the 10% rule. A lot of kids who would've easily gotten into either back in the day still want the huge university experience so they leave their home states for Arkansas, Auburn, Bama, and Ole Miss. I write most of my recs for those 4 schools.

I'd also say this for most Oklahoma schools- the number of Texas kids at OU and OSU is ASTOUNDING.

And probably why Greek life is booming at each, and OSU is open to expansion (if I remember correctly).

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

I'd also say this for most Oklahoma schools- the number of Texas kids at OU and OSU is ASTOUNDING.

And probably why Greek life is booming at each, and OSU is open to expansion (if I remember correctly).

OSU was open and AOII will be colonizing there this spring.

As for Arkansas and Stadium Drive - I believe Theta was located there when they were on campus and this was perceived as a negative for their chapter. When AOII colonized, Stadium Drive was not considered to be a viable alternative. I wonder if 2 groups came on so that 2 sororities could be located there, if that would help things. You know - not being the only sorority on fraternity row.

Housing is a huge issue for Arkansas, but perhaps one that an NPC might tackle due to the potential rewards of a prosperous chapter in a prestigious greek system. I think the bigger obstacle at Arkansas is the culture. Sure, people say they would welcome a new group, but what they tend to mean is they welcome a new group to help them out with smaller pledge class sizes as long as that group "agrees" to come in as a bottom chapter.

Some other huge opportunities have arisen the past few years and NPCs have bitten - Tri Sigma went on at Mizzou even though that required building a house - DG at Bama, Alpha Phi at FSU and Bama. But those places obviously had similar potential rewards as Arkansas without the same level of risk. (Colonization is always risky, but not to the level that it is at Arkansas.)

I think if the numbers at Arkansas continue to rise, the attitudes there may change. There are a LOT of students who are interested in greek life who aren't 5th generation sorority women who know for sure which chapter they MUST have. So many PNMs are the first in their families to attend college let alone participate in greek life. These women may want the sorority experience more than they want a specific chapter. This may open the door to NPCs who previously weren't "southern" enough or steeped in Arkansas tradition.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

As for Arkansas and Stadium Drive - I believe Theta was located there when they were on campus and this was perceived as a negative for their chapter. When AOII colonized, Stadium Drive was not considered to be a viable alternative. I wonder if 2 groups came on so that 2 sororities could be located there, if that would help things. You know - not being the only sorority on fraternity row.

Theta was at the corner of Maple and Stadium (i.e., on Sorority Row), although I think that Stadium changes its name when you cross Maple!

Maybe the sororities will have to add 3rd and/or 4th floors to expand, lol.

[wavycutchip]

Originally Posted by carnation

Theta was at the corner of Maple and Stadium (i.e., on Sorority Row), although I think that Stadium changes its name when you cross Maple!

Maybe the sororities will have to add 3rd and/or 4th floors to expand, lol.

I think you may mean that Theta was at the corner of Maple and Garland, which is now the Ag law programs or was torn down and is now the Health Center. Stadium dead ends at Maple (Stadium parking on West side, Administrative buildings on East side, and Poultry Science Building on the North Side).

http://campusmaps.uark.edu/

[OleMissGlitter]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Arkansas' NPC culture is very similar to Ole Miss, which is also very greek but only has 9 NPC groups.

You reap what you sow

Very true and Ole Miss is expecting quota to be high again too. I think the chapters were told to plan for quota in the high 90s-100s. Which just boggles my mind because quota was just in the 50s when I was in college at Ole Miss, of course that was in 1996 and we did have 10 sororities then!!!!

ETA: I think if expansion isn't happening (like at Ole Miss and Arkansas) then it just comes down to each sorority to "figure it out!" I know some chapters at Ole Miss have figured it out. And yes they do eat in shifts (from what I've heard at some chapters at Ole Miss). AOII does not eat in shifts but our addition to our house a few years ago allows for just about everyone to eat! And I think in the beginning of the year events/meetings/meals are attended more and then it does subside. Does this mean those members who aren't coming to everything aren't getting a good experience? Nahh! I think for some women they are looking for a different experience than others. So, it's about offering all aspects of sorority life to all members. (Academic, Sisterhood, Social, Philanthropy, etc). Do I think having a new member class of 100 members or more is insane?!?! I do think it is but I think all of our chapters have women who are willing to adjust and “figure it out” to be successful and compete on their college campuses. So, that’s just my two cents.

[AUAZD2001]

I was wondering in this situation if Panhellenic would hold 2 formal recruitments. Maybe the first at the begining of fall semester and the second just afer mid-terms, or at the begining of spring semseter. Set a limit for the numer of PNMs for the first recruitment at 600. First-come, first-serve basis. If a PNM misses the first recruitment she must wait for the second. It would keep the NM classes smaller and give the NMs a chance to bond with each other and the chapter. And any women who miss the first recruitment would have an opportunity to explore other campus activities they might not have otherwise been involved in.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AUAZD2001

I was wondering in this situation if Panhellenic would hold 2 formal recruitments. Maybe the first at the begining of fall semester and the second just afer mid-terms, or at the begining of spring semseter. Set a limit for the numer of PNMs for the first recruitment at 600. First-come, first-serve basis. If a PNM misses the first recruitment she must wait for the second. It would keep the NM classes smaller and give the NMs a chance to bond with each other and the chapter. And any women who miss the first recruitment would have an opportunity to explore other campus activities they might not have otherwise been involved in.

Someone previously mentioned a school that set a limit on the number of PNMs who could sign up, and my view was that it could become a freedom of association issue - interfering with member selection. What happens if your ISP goes screwy the day registration opens and you end up as #602? Also...I don't see what difference a NM class of 60 in the fall and 60 in the spring is going to make as far as bonding with the WHOLE sorority.

What was the old joke about overpopulation - "when we get to standing room only, the situation will resolve itself." When the sororities get large enough that the women are no longer enjoying themselves or feel like what they get for their money is just not worth it, Greek life will become less popular and the pledge class sizes will go down. Either that, or a group of girls will take the bull by the horns and start an interest group and bring a chapter to the school. At this point, an NPC might gamble on that before gambling on a ground up colonization.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 33girl

When the sororities get large enough that the women are no longer enjoying themselves or feel like what they get for their money is just not worth it, Greek life will become less popular and the pledge class sizes will go down.

Respectful and curious lane swerve/

Do the GC NPCers think this is what it boils down to? Does this go back to previous GC discussions about how lifetime involvement is not stressed during some NPC recruitments? I'm probably using incorrect terminology.

/Respectful and curious lane serve

[33girl]

Well, I'm sure that there are presently women in large chapters who really wish they were in a smaller chapter - or vice versa - who are sticking it out because they know that they will get a lot from alumnae membership.

Is that what you were asking?

Of course, I could be completely off on that last post and women will keep joining sororities at Arkansas even if they get to 600-700 people in a chapter so they can wear the letters, because they feel that alone is worth the $$.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, I'm sure that there are presently women in large chapters who really wish they were in a smaller chapter - or vice versa - who are sticking it out because they know that they will get a lot from alumnae membership.

Is that what you were asking?

Of course, I could be completely off on that last post and women will keep joining sororities at Arkansas even if they get to 600-700 people in a chapter so they can wear the letters, because they feel that alone is worth the $$.

That is what I was asking. Let's see if I can word this correctly:

There are people who do not want to be a part of large chapters (maybe they have heard that it is no longer worth the money and time) so they may not go through NPC recruitment. The difference between that and councils and conferences that have alumnae/alumni/graduate initiation is that these PNMs are foregoing possibly their only chance to become a member.