Local Sorority Looking to Merge with a National Chapter

[Jfurr1126]

Thanks for all of the posts! Since I've been getting a few PMs about other nationals that arent NPC sororities, I'd just like to mention that if we did affiliate with a national chapter the university specifies that it must be an NPC sorority. My university will no longer be allowing sororities on campus that are not members of NPC due to liability. They've also told us that if we didn't vote to merge we would probably be asked to merge or leave campus in a few years

Our greek life advisor has told us everything she knows about the merging/ extension process. My university hasn't extended since 1989 so she's never been a part of the extension process and has absolutely no clue about the process of merging a local.

Another question I forgot to ask: How big are sorority colonies usually? We currently have around 50 members in my local chapter (will probably drop by 10 or so if we vote to merge) and some girls are concerned with recruiting more founding mothers. Also, some girls are concerned that since quota of the NPC sororities has been around 60 new members per sorority in fall recruitment leading to a total of around 125 that we would be expected to raise our numbers to 100-125 in our first year of recruitment. While I highly doubt this would be the case, could anyone say that it would be? Thanks again for all of your help!

[flirt5721]

The numbers all depend on your school. Some schools range from 10-100+

[AnchorAlumna]

I'd like to point out that you would not just be "affiliating" with a national/international sorority. As a chapter, you would be expect to adhere to their rules, practices, traditions, etc. You would have few vestiges left of your local. Just something to consider. I assume you or your school have contacted the National Panhellenic Conference office?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Jfurr1126

Thanks for all of the posts! Since I've been getting a few PMs about other nationals that arent NPC sororities, I'd just like to mention that if we did affiliate with a national chapter the university specifies that it must be an NPC sorority. My university will no longer be allowing sororities on campus that are not members of NPC due to liability.

This is absolute bullshit and discrimination on the part of the school. Do they think NPC groups are perfect and never have any "liability"?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This is absolute bullshit and discrimination on the part of the school. Do they think NPC groups are perfect and never have any "liability"?

Of course they have liability. They also have and can afford liability insurance to cover such problems.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Of course they have liability. They also have and can afford liability insurance to cover such problems.

So can other non-NPC groups.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 33girl

So can other non-NPC groups.

True, but local groups probably can't afford as much insurance as NPC groups. And I'll bet the university meant NPC and NPHC groups....or at least groups with a national presence where the liability will be spread over a bigger group...thus lessening the liability to the university.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

True, but local groups probably can't afford as much insurance as NPC groups. And I'll bet the university meant NPC and NPHC groups....or at least groups with a national presence where the liability will be spread over a bigger group...thus lessening the liability to the university.

We're not talking local groups - we're talking National, Non-NPC (there are a few).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

True, but local groups probably can't afford as much insurance as NPC groups. And I'll bet the university meant NPC and NPHC groups....or at least groups with a national presence where the liability will be spread over a bigger group...thus lessening the liability to the university.

I didn't say ANYTHING about local groups. Her post said they have to join an NPC group - they cannot join a non-NPC sorority. This includes GSS, SAI, KBG, OPA, and of course all the NPHC groups.

Once again, this is total discrimination on the part of the school.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I didn't say ANYTHING about local groups. Her post said they have to join an NPC group - they cannot join a non-NPC sorority. This includes GSS, SAI, KBG, OPA, and of course all the NPHC groups.

Once again, this is total discrimination on the part of the school.

Yes but GSS and OPA are service sororities, and SAI is music related, those aren't just "social." The impression I get from the OP is that they're socially oriented.

I agree with you about KBG but they aren't as well known. I guarantee no one at my school had ever heard of them, greeks or administration.

My guess is that the policy is a sort of "stick with what we know" sort of thing. It's discriminating, but not necessarily in the negative sense. I'm not sure that there's any way to force a university to recognize another national.

I consider NPHC chapters quite different as I don't think they absorb locals and may have city-wide chapters in the area.