California Greeks!

[LucyKKG]

UCSC is mostly residential. Most students are Californians, but they live in SC while studying here.

And you're right about Santa Clara. They added another NPC after the school stopped supporting Greeks. DUH!

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Well what's sad is that we only have 10 IFC fraternities, 5 NPC sororities, and I think like 6 out of the NPHC 9. Thirty years ago we had triple those numbers.

[bejazd]

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

Well what's sad is that we only have 10 IFC fraternities, 5 NPC sororities, and I think like 6 out of the NPHC 9. Thirty years ago we had triple those numbers.

I wouldn't look at it as "sad" it's just different. Times change, campuses change, we have to adapt to stay relevent and attract growth. Look at how many more options Calif students have now than they did 30 years ago. The fact that there are 2 NPCs at UC Santa Cruz is a great sign! Look at the growth at schools like Sonoma State, Sacramento, UCSD and even the private schools like Stanford, Pepperdine and Chapman. None of those schools had much in the way of greek life 30 years ago!

[LucyKKG]

Haha Notorious GPhiBs! I love it! My nephew is named Gavin, and we've started calling him Notorious G-A-V.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by aeda

for the long beach picture of the gamma phis is that the whole chapter or just the new pledge class?

Seeing as how there are stars over some girls faces (most likely Rho Gammas) I'm going to assume it's the whole chapter and the girls down in front with tote bags are most likely the NMs.

[LAblondeGPhi]

I'm also a California Greek, having graduated UCLA a few years ago. To me, the Greek system is decently strong in California, though I could be biased because Gamma Phi Beta has almost twenty chapters throughout the state. I therefore felt that there was a large, strong sisterhood nearby.

I do think that many Greeks in California are less fanatical (fanatical in a good way) about their membership than in other areas of the country. I know I've experienced mixed views on my fanaticism, both from other Greeks and non-Greeks, both in and post-college.

Since I've also participated in pageants, I think there's a good analogy between the perception of pageants and sororities throughout the country. In the South, these two activities are highly encouraged, trained for, and competitive. In California, the system is still robust, but you'll see a lower percentage of eligible women actually participating, and the experience is often more relaxed. When I went through recruitment, I had no recs and no idea what I was doing - I even missed a day of rush because I just didn't know it'd be a big deal!

Back to the main point - there are plenty of schools in Southern California with strong and long-established Greek systems. I'm less familiar with the Northern CA Greek climate, though I have heard that UC-Santa Cruz is one of the less traditional Greek systems in the state. Most of my friends from high school wound up Greek at schools such as USD, Chapman, CSU-Fullerton, CSU-Long Beach, USC, UCLA, UC-Santa Barbara, and UC-Irvine. So to me, that's a pretty strong statement about Greek life if so many men and women, who went to so many different campuses, went Greek.

[Football Fan]

Lucy,
There are around 44 campuses in California that have NPC sororities. The two oldest women's Greek systems are at the Univ. of California at Berkeley and Stanford University. Some of the groups at Cal have remained for over 100 years.
Greeks are welcomed at some campuses and play a small social part at others. However, there are universities which have opened to Greek expansion in recent years such as: Loyola/Marymount, Pepperdine, Chapman and Occidental.

[redryder27]

cal poly has a competitive rush also being that almost 800 to 1000 girls come out for 8 sororities. tri-delt, gamma phi, sigma kappa, a-chi-o, chi omega, a-o-pi, alpha phi, and kappa alpha theta.

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by redryder27

cal poly has a competitive rush also being that almost 800 to 1000 girls come out for 8 sororities. tri-delt, gamma phi, sigma kappa, a-chi-o, chi omega, a-o-pi, alpha phi, and kappa alpha theta.

Not to be too picky, but we are AOII, not a-o-pi.

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

Not to be too picky, but we are AOII, not a-o-pi.

I recall my good friend DolphinChicaDDD also mentioning that there is no "-" in Tri Delta.

She gets peeved at that.

[redryder27]

i officially know nothing...sorry.

[cheermeup]

Hi! I go to UCSB and we have an awesome greek system here! We have 10 panhellenic sororities and some local chapters. I am not too sure about how many fraternities there are but I believe there to be a fair number. Since Isla Vista is so close to campus, there is a lot of interaction between Greeks and non-Greeks through parties and socials. Greek life is really good here!! Everyone should come visit!!

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by cheermeup

Hi! I go to UCSB and we have an awesome greek system here! We have 10 panhellenic sororities and some local chapters. I am not too sure about how many fraternities there are but I believe there to be a fair number. Since Isla Vista is so close to campus, there is a lot of interaction between Greeks and non-Greeks through parties and socials. Greek life is really good here!! Everyone should come visit!!

Been in the area a few times; a Brothers' family lives up in Solvang (sp).
As for your Greeks: http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/GreekLife/index.aspx

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by cheermeup

Everyone should come visit!!

I'm down. Let's go!

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

I'm down. Let's go!

I know a real nice hotel; we could get "Family" rates.
Also a real good coffee/bakery as well next door.....