Theta Chi at Duke Going Local

[g41965]

History repeats itself, in the early 1900's all the fraternities at Harvard went local, Delta Upsilon became the DU club, Zeta Psi became the Spee club etc. Many fraternities at Yale went local as well. In the 1950's and 60's many fraternities throughout the elite Northeastern colleges went local DU at Dartmouth became Foley House, Theta Chi at Dartmouth became Alpha Theta, etc. not every national fraternity chapter in New England went local but many did.
I have often wondered if the movement toward local's would move into the South at Tulane, Emory, Duke, W&L and Vanderbilt. Looks like it's beginning.
The Phi Delta Theta Chapter at the U. of The South went local, and now two at Duke.
What's the connecting thread.... my guess is fraternities at very good liberal arts and Nationally recognized private schools simply don't feel the need for general fraternity as much as the big state chapters do, elitism also plays a role, at Duke I'm sure the guys say "hey why are we in the same fraternity with those goofballs from bad state U". Going local was bad for the Greeks in the northeast, I bet it will be bad at Duke. Lets check back in 10-20 years. The percentages are not what they were in the Northeast anymore. Bet 60% of students are not Greek at Duke in 20 years.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by g41965

DU at Dartmouth became Foley House, Theta Chi at Dartmouth became Alpha Theta, etc. not every national fraternity chapter in New England went local but many did.

I think they went local for significantly different reasons than this chapter - if I'm not mistaken Alpha Theta became coed. I don't think that's what is happening here.

[g41965]

Alpha Theta broke in 1951 with Theta Chi over racial policies they went coed in 1972 went Dartmouth went coed. My point is that on smaller elite campuses the local chapters simply don't feel as much need to be part of a general fraternity as much as chapters in the SEC, Big 10 or Big 12 do.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by g41965

Alpha Theta broke in 1951 with Theta Chi over racial policies they went coed in 1972 went Dartmouth went coed. My point is that on smaller elite campuses the local chapters simply don't feel as much need to be part of a general fraternity as much as chapters in the SEC, Big 10 or Big 12 do.

Sorry but I have to disagree with this.

Yes, small (?) State Universitys or Religious Affiliated schools out side of the ones you mentioned do feel that being a member of a National is important.

All of My GLOs at My Alma Mater have House buildings. William Jewell being/was a religious affiliated are going to build Sorority Houses.

I am not sure where your logic is to this?

Are only the ones you mentioned worthy of GLOs?

[Elephant Walk]

I agree, but when a national GLO in SEC/Big 12 schools leaves nationals because of their rules, they gain much more respect in the SEC I would think. This has not happen recently to my knowledge but there has been rumors of it at places like Texas' Fiji chapter among others.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I agree, but when a national GLO in SEC/Big 12 schools leaves nationals because of their rules, they gain much more respect in the SEC I would think. This has not happen recently to my knowledge but there has been rumors of it at places like Texas' Fiji chapter among others.

Interesting post? I think?

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I agree, but when a national GLO in SEC/Big 12 schools leaves nationals because of their rules, they gain much more respect in the SEC I would think. This has not happen recently to my knowledge but there has been rumors of it at places like Texas' Fiji chapter among others.

Has this happened? Where a national chapter at an SEC or Big Twelve school went local? Not saying it hasn't happened, but I don't recall hearing of it. Nor of any prominent Southern "old line" gentleman (young or old) leaving a national to become a member of the Yada-Yada Brotherhood.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Has this happened? Where a national chapter at an SEC or Big Twelve school went local? Not saying it hasn't happened, but I don't recall hearing of it. Nor of any prominent Southern "old line" gentleman (young or old) leaving a national to become a member of the Yada-Yada Brotherhood.

It's almost happened many times, but failed or sort of fell out for one reason or another. From every story i've heard Fiji at Texas is more or less disconnected or disconnecting with their nationals slowly but surely. I would imagine that they would gain respect within their own greek community for their boldness.

[tallgreekalum]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Has this happened? Where a national chapter at an SEC or Big Twelve school went local? Not saying it hasn't happened, but I don't recall hearing of it. Nor of any prominent Southern "old line" gentleman (young or old) leaving a national to become a member of the Yada-Yada Brotherhood.

I know there are several chapters of old-line fraternities that have gone local in the the South. Vandy has their old Sigma Nu chapter still going strong, and I think that Phi Delt is still there as a local.
Sewanee's and Virginia's Phi delt chapters pulled out over dry house and pledge program issues. I know Kappa Sig's been pulling charters at several schools, including the MySpace (or Facebook) fiasco at Ole Miss. I don't know if any of them are planning on continuing or not.

Also, regarding our (ADPhi) new affiliate at Duke, I know that they felt that they wanted what a national organization had to offer, just not what their old national was offering. We have resisted the dry house and pledge program purging trends, and are doing quite well.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I agree, but when a national GLO in SEC/Big 12 schools leaves nationals because of their rules, they gain much more respect in the SEC I would think. This has not happen recently to my knowledge but there has been rumors of it at places like Texas' Fiji chapter among others.

You are correct about Texas FIJI.........and they are one of the two top houses on our campus. Its not going to hurt them in any way.....as someone was mentioning above. They are one of the wealthiest chapters I have ever seen and have an insane amount of prestigious alumni support. I would argue that they are easily the best chapter of FIJI in The South.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by macallan25

You are correct about Texas FIJI.........and they are one of the two top houses on our campus. Its not going to hurt them in any way.....as someone was mentioning above. They are one of the wealthiest chapters I have ever seen and have an insane amount of prestigious alumni support. I would argue that they are easily the best chapter of FIJI in The South.

Does anyone know what happens to that wealth if a chapter goes local? I would think that it would stay with the national, so no matter how much cash they have they'd still start from scratch.

[Blue Violets]

Originally Posted by g41965

Lets check back in 10-20 years. The percentages are not what they were in the Northeast anymore. Bet 60% of students are not Greek at Duke in 20 years.

Fact Check: Only 37% of students at Duke are Greek-affiliated.

[ColumbiaPike]

Lots of chapters at Columbia have expressed interest in going local. Too many people here think that Nationals doesn't do anything for them except bill them.

[LPIDelta]

Ok this brings a question to mind--

What is it that collegians expect their nationals to do for them?

Run their chapters?

Give them things?

Get people to show up to things?

Why do people think they get no value from being national?

[ColumbiaPike]

I'm not sure what people expect their national chapter to do. Generally, though, when one pays for something, one gets something in return. I guess for a lot of people in other chapters here they feel they don't identify with other chapters of their national organization.