Chapter Size

lostu10 · #1 06-01-2004, 04:44 AM

Just wanted to compare chapter sizes.

Delta Theta
Long Beach, CA
about 54 actives

Erik P Conard · #2 06-01-2004, 09:49 AM

Fifty years ago, forty years ago...and so on
The late Wilson B. Heller maintained the largest fraternity on
campus was likely the "best" or "top" one.
Very rarely does the smaller chapter get much attention, and if
they are truly "selective" they will soon be the largest.
So, if you are one of the smaller chapters on your campus and if
you think you are truly "selective" you are fooling yourself.
TKE is really suckin' hind tit chapter size-wise.
I would like to see us at a 75 man chapter average, over-all, and
we are barely 40 now. What does that say?
If your chapter does not meet chartering standards now, how do
you suppose you got a charter in the first place, and how do you
justify keeping said charter? Think about it.
Would you keep your job on the outside with an attitude that you
can continue with sub-minimal standards? 'course not.

SurfinDBeach · #3 06-01-2004, 04:08 PM

What's up Sanchez...

Eric, In some ways, that's all true...

However, there are some exceptions of course...

On our campus, we are in the Top 3 or 4 in terms of raw NUMBERS...

We have rushed THE MOST people the past few semesters during Rush (including spring, where we rushed 12, and just initiated 9 last week)...

However, in terms of RAW NUMBERS, Sigma Pi has the highest number of actives on campus...

But in terms of reputation with the girls and the campus population, they are NOT the best house in spite of their numbers...

Plus the fact that not every pledge makes it through pledging despite what a big number you rushed initiatially...

Yeah, numbers are awesome, but I guess within the top 4 or 5 in numbers, it can be argued...

I'm observing that these days, REPUTATION and personalities of the brothers in the fraternity are almost as important as numbers (if not more)....

Not to say you can have a 12-20 person house, that's wayyy too small... But then again, if you had that small of house, you probably didn't attract the "cool" guys anyway...

I'm just saying having a good size house (not necessarily the absolute MOST), with a favorable reputation with the girls and student body, is just as good, if not better as having the most actives... period.

I still think quality over quantity is key...

We made sure the last pledge class we had - had chill guys in it...

Good counter example was my pledge class, who had some chill guys, but also had guys that, if I were rush chair at the time, would not have given bids to (sorry to say, but its true)..

GO BEACH!!!

ncstatetke · #4 06-01-2004, 06:13 PM

72 before final exams

62 after graduation

We just narrowed our finalists for the Triangle Achievent Program down to 15, so there's a big list of scholars, athletes and leaders who will be bidded this summer.

We're planning on 15+, so hopefully we'll be between 75-80 when we initiate in November

Erik P Conard · #5 06-01-2004, 06:38 PM

First, let me make it clear that I ASSUME you all are taking the
QUALITY guy, not the wimp.
Second, arguably being the biggest = best, tops, but in the whole
scheme of things this has been proven over and over and over.
Third, each campus has its own style and each chapter its own
personality.
I would NEVER want to intrude on you-all who have always been
good and now are better...like Dixie Alpha (NC State)
But, good fraters, I work on the total picture. And I have led many a small, but inspired chapter, to a superior one. And then
EVERYBODY wanted to join...
But, you guys know all that...now go get some more good guys!

Tom Earp · #6 06-02-2004, 03:16 PM

Heed the words of a Master.

He may be old, He may get cranky, there is no man that hath Greater Love for TKE or the Greek Society that we beleive in!

Erik is right, and We All as Members of Greek Orgainzations go through the same situation.

Accordingly, Size of a School has a lot to do with the size of a Chapter.

I know Erik would love to se TKE back at PSU, Ks as I would but I wold also love to see The Greeks Get Off Of Their Asses there, 3 Soroities and 6 Fraternities with a School enrollment of 6,500 +, about 6 %!

E C, EM you about Doc Reilly!

Rio_Kohitsuji · #7 06-05-2004, 11:14 AM

Rho Pi
*largest on campus
*most popular
*14 actives

--4 fraternities on campus--
TKE: 14
ASF: 7
ACN: 7
AHW: 4

Erik P Conard · #8 06-05-2004, 11:43 PM

if you are under 35 (TKE average). how did you ever get a charter? Please note the unbiased report that TKE is sucking hind
tit chapter-size-wise of the top seven....
Surely there are a few more good men who would make good Tekes on your campus. Why be selfish? Why deny them a chance to join the Tekes...we know it is a good outfit.
Please...We need larger chapters to be able to buy toys. And we
need toys.....toys....toys....YITB, Erik

Dalan · #9 06-07-2004, 01:42 AM

Tau-Nu
Shawnee State University:

I'm not sure how many actives we have going into fall quarter, but at the start of the quarter I believe we had 30 actives. Only a few of us are graduating this quarter, but we are losing a lot of guys to the military for reserve call ups. Our school is just barely out of its community college days, and is still largely a commuter college. I believe there are between 2,500-3000 people on campus. From what I understand from talking to the other greek organizations and from my brothers, Greeks are not supported very well on our campus. Our current Dean of students "hates" greeks and our greek advisor has yet to show up to a Greek Council meeting this year. We are the largest Fraternity on campus though, and we plan on getting many more guys this fall. We have been steadily improving numbers for the last year or two.

I'm not trying to make excuses, and I can say we could definitely improve on our rushing skills and involvement, but for our school and support from campus I think we are doing a pretty good job.

#10 06-07-2004, 02:45 AM

We here at Epsilon Kappa are at 36 or so going into the fall. we got our charter this past semester. We got 40 in a year and a few are transfering. However, I know that EK will have a huge year this upcoming year.

I have a feeling that we will be at about 50 come Feb 2005.

Erik P Conard · #11 06-07-2004, 05:01 PM

KUDOS...a high-fallutin' word, often used by journalists, and Pete
(Leland F) Leland taught me that. A congratulatory word.
I am pleased at the response as well as the thoughts and plans
you good fraters have.
Kudos!

Caddy · #12 06-09-2004, 01:23 AM

Hey this thread looked interesting so I hope yall don't mind a reply from a Delta Sig. By the way we have a TKE chapter here at Texas Tech...

Chapter size depends on many many things... of course we all know that.

Here at Tech we have 25, yes 25 fraternities and counting. Our IFC has no backbone while the ladies are loving it with Panhellinic's 11 sororities.

Over saturated fraternity market can hurt fraternities and help. It usually makes a few HUGE and most relitively small. It just depends on how you keep the momentum going once that "new" fraternity gets on campus. Also it starts to lessen the persona of your chapter, you got to really be on top of the recuiting curve to be the ones to make a GOOD difference in rushees minds.

Also you got to remember it recruitment is like the stock market, it goes up and down... the trick is not to sell out when it's crunch time. Delta Sigs came to Tech in 77, were about 50... then 80's were about 100.. then 90's got too lazy and expected rushees to come to use regardless and got down to 40, late 90's down to 30, early 2000 down to 20, now we are going back up to about 50.

Every fraternity gets thier group of guys at a campus, but to move forward you have to expand your audience, have good times and good pledge program, but most important the right additude about rushing. It is important to keep in mind what you are looking for and discriminate agianst rushees that will not impove your chapter. Let rushees know what you want and it is alot easier to weed out the good from the bad. Draw a line in the sand and challenge rushees to be on one side or the other.

Sooner or later you will get the guys you want and will probably begin to grow... after all if everyone is working together and thinking on the same page it is much more efficient. Regardless big or small the most important thing is the brothers and to prolong your chapter to spead the beliefs and values of your fraternity. We all can relate to that I think.

Chapter size is always a constant battle for all fraternities, when it is coming to easy is when you have to worry, sure it would be fine for the time being but it could lead to a greater demise. Have a good recuitment seminar during the pledgeship, for the freshmen, and everyone together. Try and get help from ACB's and surrounding chapters, but chapter additude is what will make or break it. And to realize that a bad rush or low chapter size means that you didn't give it your best shot... don't get pissed.. fix the problem.

piphimaggie · #13 07-10-2004, 03:57 PM

Delta TKE is around or above 50....they got 22 pledges this year in rush. They rushed EXTREMELY well....all the other fraternities were bitching about it....that's when you KNOW someone's gone above and beyond

Rio_Kohitsuji · #14 07-12-2004, 10:01 PM

Since I figured this was directed at my post, I'll finally answer you.
Originally posted by Erik P Conard
if you are under 35 (TKE average). how did you ever get a charter? Because they were chartered (I believe) in 1985 when they were over 50 members.The fraternities at that time were very healthy in size but Rio cracked down on the Greeks causing them to dwindle down.

Surely there are a few more good men who would make good Tekes on your campus. Why be selfish? Why deny them a chance to join the Tekes...we know it is a good outfit. Biggest complaint: THE COST Why pay over $500 (and that's without the house) when you can join another here for around $50? Many say why pay the dues when you can have the friends for free? Many men here would make great Teke's, but in this area, they simply can not afford it.

Please...We need larger chapters to be able to buy toys. And we need toys.....toys....toys....YITB, Erik You crack me up Erik

PS: If you want larger chapters, buy some houses

Natron40ozBPTKE · #15 07-21-2004, 05:32 PM

First thing.........As far as getting friends for free, if you want a good chapter you're not looking for guys who just want friends. My chapter (Beta-Rho) won't sign someone just because we think they would be everyone's buddy. We sign people who want more from TKE than just friends. Tell the guys who just want friends to buy a personal ad. Sign people who want to get good grades, dominate intermurals, own your school, and graduate while simoultaneously party their ass off.

Secondly......You can still get a lot of pleges at a commuter school. At the U of Akron, 2.5% of the campus is greek out of nearly 30 grand, The median age of an incoming freshman is 24 and we are surrounded in our classes by old ladies and blue collar night students. Yet we will still sign about 30 guys this fall.

YITB

Nate Brulport
BP1324

~work smarter, not harder~