Something that really bothers me

I can't agree with you more Tom. HQs DO NOT LIKE TO LOSE CHAPTERS.

Something has to be wrong with this HQ and something needs to be done about it. True, this charter might've been pulled already, but I really hope that this HQ doesn't do the same thing to another chapter.

However...

HQs don't pull chapters unless they are in serious trouble, and this doesn't happen until after careful research and deliberation. Some of the key factors may be low numbers, poor scholarship performance, or other disciplinary reasons. But like you said, these girls were apparently doing well in academics and in other areas.

Even if this chapter has done poorly in one category and losing the charter was necessary, I think it's pretty lame and irresponsible for a NATIONAL CONSULTANT OF ALL PEOPLE to give that kind of reason for losing the chapter. You just don't go around and tell people that kind of stuff.

[Miami1839]

Wooglin, that bothers me too.

You have to wonder sometimes.

[MooseGirl]

I have heard of one of my GLO's chapters closing recently for similar reasons. a chapter must remain "competitive", so, as mentioned earlier, if there is a chapter with only 10 women while all other houses have 60, then HQ may close the chapter. It is not always based solely on numbers. (for instance, my chapter is the smallest(i think) in our org) but because the other GLO's are similar in size we're ok.

[MooseGirl]

I have heard of one of my GLO's chapters closing recently for similar reasons. a chapter must remain "competitive", so, as mentioned earlier, if there is a chapter with only 10 women while all other houses have 60, then HQ may close the chapter. It is not always based solely on numbers. (for instance, my chapter is the smallest(i think) in our org) but because the other GLO's are similar in size we're ok.

[MooseGirl]

I have heard of one of my GLO's chapters closing recently for similar reasons. a chapter must remain "competitive", so, as mentioned earlier, if there is a chapter with only 10 women while all other houses have 60, then HQ may close the chapter. It is not always based solely on numbers. (for instance, my chapter is the smallest(i think) in our org) but because the other GLO's are similar in size we're ok.

[alphachiohmy]

Just to set a couple of things straight-


I am a member of the chapter( Wooglin - thanks for the support )you are referring to. I have been interning with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, so have been removed from some of the events this last semester.

Our chapter did have a base on campus. We were the chapter of the nice girls; the chapter people wish they would have given more of a chance during rush months later after dropping from other sorority chapters. We had beautiful girls in our house both inside and out as well as diversity in our house.

The events last semester were based on a variety of things; some in our control and some things that were not. Our university alone has lost other strong ifc nationals - delta chi, sig ep, phi sigma kappa and lambda chi alpha. Other sororities and fraternities on our campus have struggled with large membership losses, substance abuse issues.

Our university and panhellenic will not be the same without us. I love my sisters and have never regretted a day as an Alpha Chi Omega at SIUC.

------------------
Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away. 'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide. ~ "The River" Garth Brooks

[aladdin001]

I appreciate all the support that has come from the first response on this topic. It was a complete shock when we girls found out about it, and yes it was heartbreaking. We however, did make the best of the rest of the year. We made a goal to go out with a bang and I think that we reached that goal. I thought that we were already a close group of sisters, but in those last few weeks of school we became closer then I ever thought was possible. I love all my sisters and we will always be connected by our bond.

[Cntrychk00]

It's wonderful to see that people care enough to talk about something like this, give their opinions, and support.
It's sad to say that our chapter did get its charter pulled, but unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done about it other than to go on. It's done and over with, and the only things that we really have left are eachother, through the bond, and memories that will last a lifetime. We thought we were making it through and growing stronger, although times were tough, but HQ didn't see it the way we did. As unfair as it may seem, it's just the way things ended up.
To clear a couple things up:
1) We had more than 20 girls...not 10
2) We may not have been the "cookie-cut-outs" of sorority girls, but I honestly don't think anyone can say that was a reason the charter was pulled
3) I also think that most of our girls would say that if we ever came back, we'd want to earn our way back....not by people sending angry letters to HQ until they caved in (if they ever did)

"What's meant to be will always find a way"

[AXO Alum]

Originally posted by 33girl:
If you believe this, I've got a frozen head of Walt Disney I'd like to sell you.

Da##it, you said I could have it!! I'm reporting you to Ebay for a violation of terms!!

To my sisters, I feel the deep sense of loss that comes with a closed chapter. As with all cases, there is much more to it than just a simple statement of what is assumed to be factual. No matter how high up someone is, unless it is a female employed by HQ, with direct bearing on this case, then no one will know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We all know the telephone game of passing info down through the ranks - it gets very distorted, and the original point is always lost entirely. I am just a firm believer that dirty laundry belongs in the laundry room, and not strung out on the floor for everyone to step over. Nationals has made its decision, and as hard as that is to take, you must remember the very core of being an Alpha Chi Omega. If its only about the charter on the wall, then you've missed out on so much more.

I speak from the heart - not with a cold tongue, as it may appear, but with love and tenderness, and the comfort of knowing for a fact that what AXO is to us is much more than a piece of paper.

I am not saying "get over it" - quite the contrary -- I am saying "get THROUGH it" and we all know that "together" is the only way to do that. Please email me for any support and I would be more than happy to reply with ideas for alumnae coordination and meetings -you are alumnae now, and you must act responsibly in that role (ie, they can't take away your charter for alumnae chapter! So get yourselves organized and send in the form - what a great way to show the world that AXO is truly for a lifetime!!)

In closing, here's my little version of a good 'ol country song that I wrote for my pledge class:

Alpha Chi Omega - your name on my lips is sweet; And the colors of your glorious crest run so very deep; But if those colors should fade away, and Alpha Chi is no more; Sisters, there is something that I must say, and you can rest assured...that - sisters, sisters forever, and ever we will be -- through thick and thin, we're tried and true, from here to eternity -- and no matter where your heart may lead, I can guarantee --that sisters forever, and ever we will be!

(First time ever in print for me - sorry I can't "sing" it for you, but you can put it to your own tune )

Much love to all my sisters and thanks to everyone for the support you've shown!

[veruca76]

Wow - I stand corrected. Sorry I just commented off the cuff instead of really understanding what was happening to you guys. That's horrible that all of this took place and you guys had to loose your charter. It's obvious from these posts here that you guys have a strong sense of sisterhood and probably deserved more of a fighting chance than you got. Hope everything works out okay and that at least you can all remain as close as you are now and support each other through this.

[shadokat]

Originally posted by DeltaBetaBaby:
You guys have it all wrong. Nationals doesn't care about a thing your chapter does as long as you send them a check each semester and don't cause any trouble.

Are you kidding me?!? Maybe that's the way your group works, but we have quite a bit more contact with our chapters than checks rolling in the door. As for Wooglin, I think that's the most ridiculous thing!!! We would never pull a charter for something so petty. I wish I knew what group that was...

[aladdin001]

I think that Wooglin4Ever is being taken wrong for what he said about our chapter being pulled because we weren't the hottest on campus. I think he was more or less just addressing the fact that our charter was pulled and that was just the reason he thought, but there's nothing to really back that up. I think the important thing that he was looking at was that there was yet again another house of Greeks getting taken off of our campus and the ones before you could tell why. They were ones with risk management problems. We however, weren't. I think that's what he was trying to focus on.

[Wooglin4Ever]

I think what a lot of what I said was taken the wrong way. I would like to start off by saying that my view is not necessarly the same as that of those who were members of this chapter. This is just how I feel about the situation. I have no proof whatsoever on the "Exact" reason why this charter was pulled. I know that there is still confusion going around. I sit on the Inter-Greek council and there is not too much that goes on in our greek system that I don't know about. I do know there are still some questions left unanswered. The thing that bothers me is that this was a very young chapter on campus, they chartered in the late 90's. All of the other sorotities on campus have been here well over 40 years and being young it's hard starting out and I saw little help from the national organization. I am not a member of this chapter so I really have no concrete evidence of that, I'm just speaking on what I saw. My chapter is one of the strongest in the country and they help us out soooooo much. That's one thing that bothers me is that a lot of organizations just focus on the better chapters, when these chapters that are struggling don't get as much attention. They are like republicans. Help the rich, screw the poor. I am convinced that many organizations just kind of ignore their weakeer chapters so they can remove them. I know that there was no fore warning with this chapter closing. It was something that looked like a possibility if things didn't improve, but at least a few years away at the soonest. I am not a member of this chapter (obviously) and am not really close with too many people in this house so it's not like I'm just trying to say "My friends got screwed". I am just saying that I watched this whole situation unfold and it somewhat bothered me. I think the whole situation was handled poorly.

[alphachiohmy]

If you guys reading this take anything away from this thread - please keep supporting all greek organizations on your campus, especially newer or weaker chapters.

The Greek System nationally is in a decline and I have seen too much of what has happened to us happen elsewhere, both to my sisters at other schools and too other chapters on my campus.

Just be supportive of your other IFC, Panhell and PanDash chapters within your greek system. There is a fine line between competition (which is good) and badmouthing other chapters. If you know of a chapter of guys or girls on your campus who are not as strong - get to know those people for who they are not what they look like or how many brothers they have. Invite them to do things, whether it just be a simple social or philanthropy. If you don't see a chapter getting support from nationals or the schools greek councils then see if you can do something to help.

No matter the letter, were all greek together, as cliche as it sounds its soo true.

[alphachiohmy]

If you guys reading this take anything away from this thread - please keep supporting all greek organizations on your campus, especially newer or weaker chapters.

The Greek System nationally is in a decline and I have seen too much of what has happened to us happen elsewhere, both to my sisters at other schools and too other chapters on my campus.

Just be supportive of your other IFC, Panhell and PanDash chapters within your greek system. There is a fine line between competition (which is good) and badmouthing other chapters. If you know of a chapter of guys or girls on your campus who are not as strong - get to know those people for who they are not what they look like or how many brothers they have. Invite them to do things, whether it just be a simple social or philanthropy. If you don't see a chapter getting support from nationals or the schools greek councils then see if you can do something to help.

No matter the letter, were all greek together, as cliche as it sounds its soo true.