The economy and NPC Recruitment at very large/competitive Greek schools

[victoriana]

Originally Posted by lemony

I agree with everything KSUViolet said, but I'd also like to throw in that I've noticed the economy has affected membership retention more than it has affected recruitment/PNM numbers in general. While more and more women find the sorority option attractive, the increasing dues begin to take a toll over time (whether it's during new member quarter or even during her senior year), and are sometimes too much of a financial burden to continue sorority membership.

Even at the mid-size state school I go to, which has relatively cheap tuition for in-state students, retention due to the economy has been a problem. I know a lot of sorority women who have had to drop due to the financial burden. Interestingly, though, I haven't seen this become an issue for fraternity men (at least not where I am).

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by victoriana

Even at the mid-size state school I go to, which has relatively cheap tuition for in-state students, retention due to the economy has been a problem. I know a lot of sorority women who have had to drop due to the financial burden. Interestingly, though, I haven't seen this become an issue for fraternity men (at least not where I am).

Aren't fraternity dues in general a lot lower than sorority dues?

Also while there are many other advantages to going Greek, I imagine the social benefits for guys on campus is much more elevated by being in a fraternity. And so would be seen as a worthwhile investment.

For example there is the (cynical, close-minded) scenario at SC that if you are not in a Fraternity; there is no where for a guy to go on a Thursday night. Whereas "girls always get in to parties"

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 28StGreek

Aren't fraternity dues in general a lot lower than sorority dues?

Not where I'm at.
Most fraternities have fewer members than sororities.
Fraternities throw parties with expensive bands.
Beer costs money.
Ergo, fraternities dues are higher than sorority dues.
At least where I'm at.

[28StGreek]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Not where I'm at.
Most fraternities have fewer members than sororities.
Fraternities throw parties with expensive bands.
Beer costs money.
Ergo, fraternities dues are higher than sorority dues.
At least where I'm at.

Oh ok that make sense. However the stark difference in quality of living between sororities and fraternities here I think are the reason why sorority dues are much more. While they may not have house parties, sororities have their fair share of social events, multiple exchanges, 2 invites, date dashes, plus sorority philanthropy events have a big social side too. And I guess here in LA there tends to be more DJs hired for parties than bands. Big name bands tend to get brought in for Fraternity Philanthropy events which benefit from having multiple sponsors.

I do not have the numbers for fraternity dues though, just basing this from what I've heard from friends.

Sorority dues for live-outs at SC are like $2000+; and live-ins $4500-5000 per semester.

Originally Posted by Old_Row

There are more oos pnms at the Alabama schools in the last few years because of the way some of the surrounding states have changed admissions policies (Georgia, Florida, Texas etc.) The Alabama schools offer a nearby cost effective alternative with easier admissions and a similar kind of college culture.

Yeah I've heard that being mentioned too. Especially about how UT has become really competitive academically, and I believe UGA has been spoken about similarly.