New Sorority?

oceanwalker · #1 10-12-2007, 10:08 AM

Hi guys,

Think of your parents when you read this. I'm a mom whose daughter didn't get into the sorority of her choice. I'm sure this happens all the time. However, she now wants to start her own sorority, having to do with theatre. Have any of you ever heard of such a thing? How would I find out about starting a new sorority, what it entails, etc. OR, perhaps open a new chapter of an existing sorority on her campus?

Finally, are there any sororities and/or co ed fraternitys, such as APO, but that are theatre oriented?? How can I find out about all the sororities that exist?

I have no idea the work that she'd need to undertake for such a project. Can any of you at least guide me? I sure would appreciate any help or guidance, and thanks so much for your help

.

REE1993 · #2 10-12-2007, 10:13 AM

The search button will guide her to all of the information SHE needs.

Best of luck to her.

ZetaXiDelta · #3 10-12-2007, 10:15 AM

I am the founder of my local sorority, Zeta Xi Delta. At my college all it required to become an official college organization was submitting our constitution to Parliament and having it approved. However, it is different at all schools.

I don't want to make it sound simple because there is a lot of work that goes into creating a sorority. They will need to choose a name, symbols, mascots, etc. as well as create their constitution, by-laws, and rituals. If you would like more info, feel free to PM me.

33girl · #4 10-12-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanwalker

Finally, are there any sororities and/or co ed fraternitys, such as APO, but that are theatre oriented?? How can I find out about all the sororities that exist?

Alpha Psi Omega.

http://www.alphapsiomega.org/

The "casts" are the chapters. You can search the site to find out if there's a cast at your daughter's school.

AlphaFrog · #5 10-12-2007, 10:23 AM

Phi Beta is also an all-encompassing (Theatre, Dance, Music) "Fine Arts" Fraternity.

AlwaysSAI · #6 10-12-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Phi Beta is also an all-encompassing (Theatre, Dance, Music) "Fine Arts" Fraternity.

Phi Beta only has like 2 active collegiate chapters. They may be interested in extension.

Glitter650 · #7 10-12-2007, 11:47 AM

Really, there are no "general" steps to take to start an organization. A lot would have to do with the administration and the requirements they have at your dauthter's campus.
Most likely bringing an exisitng group to campus (if its NPC) is not REALLY an option, as the campus must first be open to extension.
There are a lot of threads about this. I really think though, that if this is something your daughter feels that strongly about, she she will (and should) find the information she needs on her own.

adpiucf · #8 10-12-2007, 12:54 PM

Starting a new organization on campus, whether one with Greek letters or not, is a huge undertaking that can detract many students from their true goal in college --> to excel scholastically, network and intern in their chosen field. It is possible to successfully start a new organization, but there are a considerable number of factors to consider in deciding "Is it worth it?"

Any student would be best served to think twice before starting a campus organization, and should instead look to existing organizations on the campus. Many times new students have not yet found their niche on campus, mainly because they haven't looked. Sorority recruitment is one avenue. Another or supplementary to sororities are pre-professional societies, honor societies, service clubs, or other special interest clubs.

To any student wanting to start a new organization: Take a full semester, if you can't wait an entire school year, to absorb the campus culture and to become acclimated to the new place and all it has to offer, before deciding to start something brand-new that may 1) already exist 2) exist in a slightly different yet complimentary way or 3) see if your interests change (as they do when you get to college and begin to explore the many opportunities available to you). You have 3-5 years ahead at this university, provided you are a traditional student, and I assure you that at some time, it is likely that this need has come up and been addressed, and has thrived or died due to the level of interest among other students on campus.

SWTXBelle · #9 10-12-2007, 10:23 AM

I am a member of Alpha Psi Omega - feel free to pm me if you have any questions an old alumna can answer.

KD Diamonds · #10 10-12-2007, 11:40 AM

Tell your daughter that there is no use in re-inventing the wheel. She can go through rush again.

33girl · #11 10-12-2007, 11:43 AM

If she wants to start a new sorority or a chapter of a sorority that specifically has to do with theatre, that's not "reinventing the wheel" - that's going in a completely different direction.

MellySK · #12 10-12-2007, 10:59 PM

I founded Pi Sigma Alpha on my campus (the chapter, not the entire organization, it's a political science honor fraternity). Basically, my freshman year we had a political science "club", and the next year we decided to take it to the next level with the help of our faculty advisor, who was a Pi Sigma Alpha Alum of another chapter. It was a LOT of work - it was worth it - but a LOT of work, and required a lot of support from the faculty advisor.

Xidelt · #13 10-12-2007, 11:16 PM

I would really encourage your daughter to check out several clubs on campus or establish a chapter of an ALREADY existing group (just not on her campus), such as the drama honors society that was previously mentioned (alpha psi omega) or perhaps a service GLO. A potential problem with a sorority just for drama students is that it will be pulling new members from such a narrow pool. And trust me, new or local groups usually tend to have a hard enough time competing for membership. A new group doesn't want anything to further narrow membership or make it harder to recruit, such as only being open to students of a specific major, etc.