Duke's Alpha Omicron Pi chapter to close

[aephi alum]

The AEPhi chapter at Duke was also in that position. The chapter closed a few years back, with low numbers.

Seems like at Duke, if you miss quota by more than 1 or 2 girls, even once, that's the kiss of death.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

If the chapter votes to close, I think (Inter)Nationals has a better chance of keeping the sisters as alumnae. I would think you'd get a pretty high number of sisters deciding to never have anything to do with their sorority again if headquarters just closed them in this situation. I'm sure the chapter knows the writing is on the wall, but they are included in the decision to close.

I just have to say that there was a moment at our Convention this summer that almost made me cry. We have a flag procession at the start of Convention - one flag for each chapter, carried by a member of that chapter. Included is a flag for all of our closed chapters. Well I noticed that the woman carrying that flag was crying, and it just made me think about how sad it must be to know that your chapter's book has closed. I think a lot of women would have a hard time turning the other cheek.

[aopinthesky]

Originally Posted by dukemama

j**********.com

(edited)


Please don't perpetuate this disgusting website by naming it on GC. Would you mind editing your post?

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I just have to say that there was a moment at our Convention this summer that almost made me cry. We have a flag procession at the start of Convention - one flag for each chapter, carried by a member of that chapter. Included is a flag for all of our closed chapters. Well I noticed that the woman carrying that flag was crying, and it just made me think about how sad it must be to know that your chapter's book has closed. I think a lot of women would have a hard time turning the other cheek.

It is tough - my chapter is closed, but it was simply a matter of not being able to get the numbers to compete. It's especially sad for me now, because my daughter is at my alma mater and not able to join my mother and me on the Gamma Chi roll. But I've always tried to keep my chapter sisters a part of Gamma Phi - we have great alumnae chapters here in Texas, and I think involvement in the larger group helps. I do tend to tear up at Founders' Day celebrations when I identify myself as a Gamma Chi - maybe, someday, we will be able to once again open the book!

[TigerPiPhi]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Will they ever learn?! Probably not.

I was on AAC for our chapter at Duke two or three years ago and knew about AOII's problems when they invited an officer from NPC to speak to all the chapter advisors about Panhellenic spirit and cooperation. Trying to get us as advisors to instill in the actives that we should promote Greek Life as a whole to PNMs, and not just our individual groups, for the strength of the entire system. The officer gave a very good talk, and it was enlightening to hear other advisors discuss about how they had good panhellenic support on their undergraduate campuses and not the caste system that exists at Duke. Too bad no real plan came from that meeting.

The officer then recommened expansion as a means to promote new interest in Panhell on campus with hopes that might somehow translate into reconsideration of AOII (or something like that, I guess), and it turned into a debate instead. Zeta happened to be recolonizing on campus (and strangely the top chapter actives were promoting this), but I never understood how that would help AOII. A new group was not going to divert attention for long from the "Core Four" nor was it going to get PNMs to consider the other existing campus groups as different but still cool ways to be Greek on campus.

I liked the first part of her talk but never understood her recommendation.

[TriDeltaSallie]

I, too, am from a closed chapter and I would never wish that experience on anyone. I was a national volunteer at the time (a couple years after graduating) and was a part of the meeting at convention with the national Executive Board when the decision was made to close the chapter. No one can possibly understand the pain unless you experience it.

Re: the Gamma Phi Beta crying when she was carrying her flag... I can so understand that. To this day I do not subscribe to our magazine. I love DDD and everything our ideals represent. But looking through the magazine is depressing. It is always full of info about open chapters, but naturally nothing about my own.

I don't know how it is done in other sororities, but I wish there could be a way of still affirming the women from closed chapters other than reading their chapter name at convention or founder's day. Do any other sororities do anything to keep alive the experience/presence/sisterhood of closed chapters? When one of our chapters closes, there is a little mention of it in the magazine and that is it. I've always thought it would be nice if they would at least dedicate a page of the magazine to celebrating the sisterhood that occurred there for years or decades. Yes, chapters often close under negative circumstances. But that shouldn't negate all of the wonderful experiences other women have had in that chapter. It is hard to not feel like a leper when you are from a closed chapter.

Ok, climbing down off my soapbox now. As you can tell, I feel very passionately about this issue.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by TigerPiPhi

The officer then recommened expansion as a means to promote new interest in Panhell on campus with hopes that might somehow translate into reconsideration of AOII (or something like that, I guess), and it turned into a debate instead. Zeta happened to be recolonizing on campus (and strangely the top chapter actives were promoting this), but I never understood how that would help AOII. A new group was not going to divert attention for long from the "Core Four" nor was it going to get PNMs to consider the other existing campus groups as different but still cool ways to be Greek on campus.

I liked the first part of her talk but never understood her recommendation.

We had 5 chapters of 18 (19? Can't remember!) that struggled to make quota each year in a system that was heavily tiered. The solution from Panhel? Expansion with a new sorority. We were given some of the same explanation about creating more excitement with a new chapter. We didn't need more excitement. We had over a thousand women going through rush already. One of the key problems was the inability of the stronger chapters to panhellenically support the struggling ones. 4 of the 5 chapters that struggled have since closed.

I'm with you TigerPiPhi. I never understood this recommendation.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

I wish there could be a way of still affirming the women from closed chapters other than reading their chapter name at convention or founder's day. Do any other sororities do anything to keep alive the experience/presence/sisterhood of closed chapters? When one of our chapters closes, there is a little mention of it in the magazine and that is it. I've always thought it would be nice if they would at least dedicate a page of the magazine to celebrating the sisterhood that occurred there for years or decades. Yes, chapters often close under negative circumstances. But that shouldn't negate all of the wonderful experiences other women have had in that chapter. It is hard to not feel like a leper when you are from a closed chapter.

I know that there was an article in our magazine (Winter 2008) about alumnae from closed chapters, what the experience of closure was like, what some of their best memories were in their chapters, and how they're involved with Tri Sigma now. We also feature news about alumnae who are holding reunion events, and those regularly involve alumnae whose collegiate chapter has been long closed.

I'm fairly certain that my sorority sends alumnae of that chapter a letter when their chapter is closed (since not everyone is active in Sigma and aware of a closure). The letter apologizes for the news and reminds them that even though the chapter is closed, the lifetime experience of Sigma is still avaliable to them via alumna involvement and gives them the contact info for their nearest alumna chapter. It's not much but it's something.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

I, too, am from a closed chapter and I would never wish that experience on anyone.

Re: the Gamma Phi Beta crying when she was carrying her flag... I can so understand that. To this day I do not subscribe to our magazine. I love DDD and everything our ideals represent. But looking through the magazine is depressing. It is always full of info about open chapters, but naturally nothing about my own.

I am from a closed chapter as well. While I wasn't active when we closed (it was a semster after I transferred) I was still involved with the chapter.

To this day, I remember the mood on the conference call before people from our nationals got on. We all knew what was coming and a lot of us joined the call early to talk. Instead of the excited chitter chatter that preceded any other conference call, the mood was very somber and low already. I know for a fact that I wasn't the only one crying when we were officially told the news. I don't wish it on anyone.

Looking at the Torch is very depressing for me...at the same time, I do it to remind myself of the good times and hope that one day, Alpha Omicron will be back, better and stronger then ever.

[TigerPiPhi]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

We had 5 chapters of 18 (19? Can't remember!) that struggled to make quota each year in a system that was heavily tiered. The solution from Panhel? Expansion with a new sorority. We were given some of the same explanation about creating more excitement with a new chapter. We didn't need more excitement. We had over a thousand women going through rush already. One of the key problems was the inability of the stronger chapters to panhellenically support the struggling ones. 4 of the 5 chapters that struggled have since closed.

I'm with you TigerPiPhi. I never understood this recommendation.

It happened at my school, too. When I was a collegian, I resented another GLO's national's for a while for promoting expansion. Ironically, their chapter that came on closed, too. Just a bad panhellenic environment at that time, and I wished everyone could see it.

Anyway, I may be the exception, but I like reading The Arrow, even without an active chapter because I became an active alum and feel proud of being part of a such a great organization. Getting involved with collegians as an AAC advisor was a great experience, and I live vicariously through our girls.

[Low C Sharp]

the caste system that exists at Duke

Well put.
________
Water bong

[SWTXBelle]

So, we just had Founder's Day, and it turned out I was the only Gamma Chi there. I thought I was pretty secure with the fact my chapter is closed, but I broke down in tears when I was faced with representing my chapter.

It may be because I was on campus on Friday - there are all the other sorority houses, while ours is now privately owned (and run down). It may be that it was because I was the only Gamma Chi there - I don't know. It's just really tough. I love Gamma Phi Beta, and support them 100%, but I did lose my home. I also love my alma mater, and it is like a divorce when your two great loves go their separate ways.

[FSUZeta]

i'm sorry, belle. that must have been hard for you. (((((((hugs)))))))

[SWTXBelle]

Thanks. A former International President actually hugged me, and reminded me that there were many of them there in the same boat. (As an aside, I wish I cried pretty. Nope - nose and eyes turn red, face gets puffy - it's a powerful inducement to try and get it together!)
I hope the AOIIs at Duke have a great deal of support from their sisters. I hate when chapters have to close.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I love Gamma Phi Beta, and support them 100%, but I did lose my home. I also love my alma mater, and it is like a divorce when your two great loves go their separate ways.

Very well said.

Hugs to you.