Possible Recruitment Numbers for NPC Chapters in 2012

[arrowlady]

Originally Posted by Ladybugmom

I am shocked that UT's numbers aren't higher than 844..we were over 1100 last year..it's hard to imagine that we would be the only school that is "less" this year with the trend of sorority recruitment going up..
any thoughts out there?

I know quite a few girls from D's high school attending UT this year feel like it is just to competitive and don't want to put themselves thru the emotional strain.. or that is what they told me when I offered to write Recs for them.

[tinydancer]

Is UT's problem one of placing the pnms? I can see that as being a problem. Also, the main drawback to expansion would seem to be availability of real estate near campus. A house is essential there.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by tinydancer

Also, the main drawback to expansion would seem to be availability of real estate near campus. A house is essential there.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read an earlier post about TPTB possibly warming up to expansion. I can't see any chapter there being successful without a house. Can someone with knowledge of the campus tell us if there is any land where a build could occur or is there any possibility of a fraternity house becoming available (low membership or risk management issues)?

[Ladybugmom]

Originally Posted by arrowlady

I know quite a few girls from D's high school attending UT this year feel like it is just to competitive and don't want to put themselves thru the emotional strain.. or that is what they told me when I offered to write Recs for them.

I have heard that Arrowlady and it is so sad. UT does have a very competitive recruitment, however, all 14 houses are wonderful and have something to offer. The problem is that many girls are caught up in the Big 6 mentality and have been sipping the kool aid so to speak.
They do have guaranteed placement...so if one maximizes her options, and attends at least one preference party, she will receive a bid.
There always seems to be so much hype and it is not always true.

As far as expansion at UT..there is no land to build on and even if there was, the cost would be sky high! The cost of Austin real estate, especially on West Campus where most of the sorority and fraternity houses are, would be cost prohibitive.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by Ladybugmom

I have heard that Arrowlady and it is so sad. UT does have a very competitive recruitment, however, all 14 houses are wonderful and have something to offer. The problem is that many girls are caught up in the Big 6 mentality and have been sipping the kool aid so to speak.
They do have guaranteed placement...so if one maximizes her options, and attends at least one preference party, she will receive a bid.
There always seems to be so much hype and it is not always true.

As far as expansion at UT..there is no land to build on and even if there was, the cost would be sky high! The cost of Austin real estate, especially on West Campus where most of the sorority and fraternity houses are, would be cost prohibitive.

I can believe the cost would be sky high, but since we're talking UT, would cost be a true deterrent? There's a lot of money, old, new and in between, in Texas.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by exlurker

I can believe the cost would be sky high, but since we're talking UT, would cost be a true deterrent? There's a lot of money, old, new and in between, in Texas.

I haven't been around the UT system in 15+ years, but I can tell you that yes...I do think it would be a deterrent. (and I think we've talked about that somewhere in the recent past on GC...too lazy to go find it)

For the org that takes on the expansion - the expense of buying a house/promoting a new chapter is a HUGE risk if it fails. KD was the last group to attempt this, and it was a giant leap for them. They've done great, but I think it was probably a real struggle for them at the beginning.

Plus, I'm not sure the system is exactly bursting at the seams (ala Ole Miss, Arkansas, etc...) and is in need of expansion.

All that, on top of the fact that there's a culture (mentioned in the post above yours) that so many women going through the process won't even consider any group that doesn't fit their closed mindset heading into the process. I think that's getting BETTER...but it's by no means "healed".

[Ladybugmom]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I haven't been around the UT system in 15+ years, but I can tell you that yes...I do think it would be a deterrent. (and I think we've talked about that somewhere in the recent past on GC...too lazy to go find it)

For the org that takes on the expansion - the expense of buying a house/promoting a new chapter is a HUGE risk if it fails. KD was the last group to attempt this, and it was a giant leap for them. They've done great, but I think it was probably a real struggle for them at the beginning.

Plus, I'm not sure the system is exactly bursting at the seams (ala Ole Miss, Arkansas, etc...) and is in need of expansion.

All that, on top of the fact that there's a culture (mentioned in the post above yours) that so many women going through the process won't even consider any group that doesn't fit their closed mindset heading into the process. I think that's getting BETTER...but it's by no means "healed".

You're right on Shirley..things are better and I think most if not all of the chapters met quota last year, or came very close...but they have a long way to go.
In my opinion, expansion is not the answer at Texas..because *most* girls with an open mind will get placed. It's not that there isn't a place for them, the problem is that they may not like the place that they are offered. This goes way back...starting the in late 60's/early 70's with the Prudence Macintosh article..she really did such a dis-service to the UT greek system.

On another note..most people don't realize that the UT greek system only comprises about 12%, which is very small in comparison to other schools with ultra competitive recruitments.