Looking into Greek Life - Page 2

sigmagirl2000 · #1 03-13-2016, 07:22 PM

This would be an interesting jump for any NPC group. However, I definitely see potential on the campus. We're talking about a pretty small school (5,000-6,000 undergraduates, I would guess) with well more than half the undergraduates living on campus. UMass Amherst is the nearest campus with NPC chapters.....

I can imagine that most of the groups that came to present and had city chapters were out of the Springfield or colleges in that area and were multicultural groups like suggested above....

irishpipes · #2 03-13-2016, 07:28 PM

I'm sort of surprised this school doesn't have any NPC chapters. It seems like a fairly residential campus with an extensive history.

sigmagirl2000 · #3 03-13-2016, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I'm sort of surprised this school doesn't have any NPC chapters. It seems like a fairly residential campus with an extensive history.

Right? I totally forgot that they didn't.... and the percentage of students living on campus is misleadingly low because so many students rent houses/ apartments in the area.... I wouldn't call it much of a commuter school (though I did have some students who commuted there when I taught in the area)

WSUGirl19 · #4 03-14-2016, 02:58 PM

I believe the reason for not having greek life would be the fact that we were not considered a university up until recently; I may be wrong though. Again, I never said I thought it was possible or that it would ever happen, just that I wished I could be a part of KD. I know it most likely won't happen. How many people would need to be interested to start this, or does this depend on the school and what they are looking for? I wanted to study abroad, but if this process will take a while is it something I should skip going to, or will my dreams of joining greek life be crushed and I should stay on my track to study abroad?

Sigmagirl2000: How much do you know about my school? Were you a part of another school closeby? Do you think that this would fit into my school?

Sorry that I have so many questions!

WSUGirl19 · #5 03-14-2016, 03:03 PM

I just realized I missed this second page... I feel like an idiot now haha I guess I am just nervous to start this process, I am not doing it to party. I actually would rather the sisterhood and community service (like I had in girl scouts). I am also questioning if this will be too difficult to process with classes and everything happening at the same time. We do have a lot of students who live in the area commuting or living in apartments, we do not have enough housing for all of our students. I have heard that WSU may have had greek life, someone started a rumor that the houses on western ave were greek houses. After searching the internet I haven't found anything about those though so I believe that we never had them.

irishpipes · #6 03-14-2016, 05:28 PM

WSU has never had NPC sororities.

WSUGirl19 · #7 03-14-2016, 05:30 PM

That's what I figured. Someone said they thought they saw a letter on a house, but it may have been a broken number.

irishpipes · #8 03-14-2016, 05:46 PM

WSUGirl,

No need to post the same question in multiple forums. It just makes it difficult to have a coherent discussion.

Your school seems to be a pretty good candidate for NPC sororities. That being said, not every NPC is likely to be interested. If your school's administration decides to open up for NPC, the 26 member sororities will consider many factors, including but not limited to:
Prestige of the school
Graduation rate
Student population
Number of undergraduate women
Student body demographics
Available alumnae in the area
Presence of alumnae on faculty or staff
Availability of housing or meeting space
And many, many more factors

Some of these factors will be positives for your school and some negative. Having a few negatives does not mean NPCs won't be interested. It might mean that certain NPCs will pass, but others may take the plunge, especially if they a strong alumnae base in the area. The fact that your school would likely not require sorority housing is a big plus and will open up interest to more sororities. Chapters that require competitive housing are a much greater investment and a greater risk. There are several sororities that are particularly strong in the northeast and sort of specialize in smaller schools.

What you can do is discuss the matter with your school's student life office, and be persistent. Gathering interest from other undergraduate women enrolled full-time at your school will help your case. If your school gets on board, the process will likely be out of your hands. (In fact, a sorority could colonize and then not even select you for membership. Not a pleasant thought, but something to consider.) IF you are able to gather enough seriously interested women to form a Sorority Interest Group (which would be a registered student org), your org might have some influence in the process and the sorority which is chosen. Of course you could only choose a sorority which applies for consideration.

WSUGirl19 · #9 03-14-2016, 06:33 PM

Sorry! I figured this was getting a little confusing, so I thought making a new thread may be easier... I will talk to people at my school and see what the options are.

robinseggblue · #10 03-15-2016, 12:26 AM

You should definitely try to create an interest group (so you can show that there is an interest and need for a sorority on campus) and talking the head of your student activities office.

It might be too late for this..but my best advice is not to get your heart set on any specific one organization. KD is an amazing organization, but the other 25 organizations that are part of NPC are all amazing organizations as well.

Any of the 26 sororities that are part of the NPC would give you incredible opportunities, outstanding philanthropies to support and an extraordinary sisterhood. You need to keep in mind that you'd be lucky to become a member of any of these organizations. They all offer very similar opportunities and experiences, just with different letters.

I can tell you that my experience has been pretty much the same as that of my friends in other sororities...we all support our philanthropies, attend social events, take on leadership opportunities (if we choose), and bond with our sisters any time we hang out (or take part in activities).

If you ask me...what's important about being part of a sorority is that you are part of an organization that accepts you and that makes you feel like you're a part of something bigger than you. And that you do the work involved in bonding and forging bonds of sisterhood with your sisters. The specific details (letters on your chest) aren't important if you ask me...you'll get everything out of the that you're supposed to, if you're lucky enough to have the opportunity.

Hopefully you're able to bring Greek Life to your campus.

WSUGirl19 · #11 03-23-2016, 09:39 PM

I just wanted to update people on what has happened. I emailed who was stated to be student activities, but she never emailed me back. I have heard from another staff member that she does not usually reply or keep her promise with sending something to you. But I recently saw postings around campus for Lambda Sigma the honor society which they do a lot of volunteer things and I think I am going to try to join! I think it will be a great leadership and volunteer opportunity!