want to bring a Tri-Delta chapter to my university!

[KD4Me]

OP - I would like to reiterate that many of the replies that you have received on this board are not intended to be negative, just realistic. If you read old posts about people trying to start new chapters on their campuses, you will see that it requires a campus open to expansion, national sororities also open to expanding on that campus (which may or may not include Tri Delt), often much work convincing campus administrators of the benefits of expansion, and much time (usually years). The reality is that unless your campus opens for expansion very soon, it will likely be so long for all of those things to occur that you will have graduated.

I suggest that you heavily consider whether you really, really want to be in a sorority or not. If you do, then reconsider membership in the groups already on campus. Otherwise, you are taking a big chance that you will never be in a sorority. Only you know if it's worth it to you.

Incidentally, I love my sorority and was very involved as a collegian and still am, as an alumna. If I were choosing between all of the philanthropies in the world in which to invest my time, I wouldn't necessarily choose those that my national organization supports. But I do support them, because they're worthy causes. The friendships and relationships with my sisters is what I really love about my sorority.

[als463]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Actually, I think it's St John's U in Staten Island. They have 2 NPCs, one NPHC (3 nationals, she didn't say 3 NPCs) and a ton o' locals. The locals are the distinguishing factor.

The presence of NPCs is very new at the school.

ETA: Waiting for people to look at the sororities and have a "national tier discussion" ensue.

33girl-thanks. I wasn't sure. Well then, let me point out that all the NPCs at St. John's are great!

St. John's University has 2 NPCs (from what I saw on their webpage): Tri-Sigma and Theta Phi Alpha.

Theta Phi Alpha: The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built is Theta Phi Alpha's newest philanthropic cause, established in 1993. The common goal through The House is to improve the plight of the homeless in any way. The chapter can seek to provide assistance to organizations that help the homeless, shelters, home building or neighborhood revitalization projects.

Sigma Sigma Sigma: The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation centers its latter philanthropic efforts around the theme “Sigma Serves Children,” specifically through the Robbie Page Memorial (RPM)-which provides play therapy for terminally ill children.

Nope! I don't know HOW anyone would want to join an organization which helps the homeless or sick kids! It seems like it would be really hard to "identify" with such philanthropies and missions as Theta Phi Alpha and Tri-Sigma seem to have. You're right-maybe we should just bring another sorority on campus to fulfill that need to HELP people because CLEARLY these organizations are NOT doing that-right?

For the Record, even if this girl wanted to bring Phi Mu on her campus (and I LOVE my sorority) I would feel the same way. How can you NOT feel that each and every one of the 26 NPCs has something of value to offer?

[xomanadaxo]

This whole discussion reminded me of the Recruitment thread about expansion at UCSC. As the thread author went through the colonization process, she fell in love with several different sororities, only to learn they were not open for colonization, could not colonize on her campus etc. I encourage the OP to take a look at this and many of the other threads on colonization here on GC. It's a real eye-opener...I never quite understood just how labor-intensive expansion can be until I read this thread! http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=10264

[violetpretty]

There is nothing negative about explaining the process of NPC extension. Campus Panhellenics add chapters for two main reasons:

1. A growing trend in Panhellenic membership.
2. An established local/interest group that wishes to affiliate with an NPC group.

The only thing she can do is ask the Greek Life Office if her school is open for extension. If it is not, she's not going to be able to convince them to open for extension. She can't fudge membership data. She can't whine and complain her way into making Panhellenic open for extension because she is infatuated with Tri Delta.

No NPC group would dare colonize at a school not open to extension because it violates an NPC unanimous agreement. So she can't beg Tri Delta National to come if her university says no.

Her only hope would be to put together an interest group comprable to the size of the other chapters on campus. Even if she were to succeed in building an interest group, who is to say that her university would open for extension? Tri Delta may not even be interested colonizing at her school. Her school's Campus Panhellenic may not choose Tri Delta even if they were interested. And if the school did choose Tri Delta, they would likely choose more members for the colony, and who is to say that you'd like them?

NPCs on a national level have a lot more in common than you think. They all value friendship, scholarship, philanthropy/service, and leadership. Every NPC has chapters that are "top tier" at their respective campuses, and every NPC has chapters that are "bottom tier" at their respective campuses. Being my alumnae chapter's Panhellenic Delegate has made me realize how similar we are on a National level. I realize some NPCs are stronger locally than others (ie. presence of alumnae chapters). I realize that some cater to a certain niche, mainly religion, even though you don't have to be Jewish to join AEPhi or SDT and you don't have to be Catholic to join Theta Phi Alpha. But really, all NPCs have noble causes and the same basic values. The history may have been different in the beginnings, but all the NPCs have much more in common today.

If you are so into St. Jude's, volunteer for/donate to St. Jude's! You don't have to be a member of Tri Delta to do so. If I chose a sorority solely for its philanthropy, I wouldn't be a Sigma Kappa. I realize Alzheimer's Disease isn't the "sexiest" philanthropy. It doesn't deal with cute kids or women specifically. It's still important to cure because it will further bankrupt our healthcare system and it will touch so many people's lives.

There are NPCs other than Sigma Kappa that I really admire and "connect with" based on their philanthropy, history, motto, purpose, etc. but they were not a fit for me at my campus! Although I found a great fit for me in Sigma Kappa, if I had gone to another school (even one with a Sigma Kappa chapter), I might not have ended up a Sigma Kappa.

There are plenty of things I love about my sorority. I love that we were founded by the first 5 women to attend Colby. I love how our symbols/colors/flowers/jewel are all tied together in our ritual and mean something more than just looking pretty. I love our values, both outward and in ritual. But the thing is, I could find things to love about every NPC.

[MaggieXi]

There are admirable things about every NPC. The NPCs wouldn't have lasted as long as they have if they did not have solid values and purpose.

OP, I think I get what your saying - you admire Tri Delta and would like the possiblity of becoming one. The reality of your posts have come across a little like you putting down the other groups on your campus - which I don't think you ment, but thats how people have taken them. From what you have said, you looked at them already and decided the groups on your campus aren't for you - and thats totally fine, its just the way you said it that people took offense to.

As for expansion, I come from a school in the south where greek life is exploding. We've had 4 greek organizations come to campus in 10 years. All have been extremely successful - but it takes time, money (both the school and the NPC), support and most importantly - need. Does your campus need another sorority? And if there is a need, does your campus have the money, time, and support to have a new group come to campus? These are the things that your Panhellenic and school have to determine. They will not bring a group on campus because you want them too. And for arguments sake - even if they do open for expansion, it doesn't mean Tri Delta will submit a proposal or even if they do - it doesn't mean that they will be chosen to colonize there.

If the OP attends St. Joe's in PA - I'm pretty sure they aren't opening for expansion. I have a friend (greek from another school) who is adjunct there and she has told me that St. Joe's administration generally is not very fond of greek life, likes to keep it contained, and only really has it to attract and keep students from going to other catholic university's who don't have greek life.

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Ok kids, this thread is being closed for awhile. The OP asked a question, received some advice, and now we are beating a dead horse and speculating, none of which is helpful.