New Sorority?

[adpiucf]

Starting a new organization on campus, whether one with Greek letters or not, is a huge undertaking that can detract many students from their true goal in college --> to excel scholastically, network and intern in their chosen field. It is possible to successfully start a new organization, but there are a considerable number of factors to consider in deciding "Is it worth it?"

Any student would be best served to think twice before starting a campus organization, and should instead look to existing organizations on the campus. Many times new students have not yet found their niche on campus, mainly because they haven't looked. Sorority recruitment is one avenue. Another or supplementary to sororities are pre-professional societies, honor societies, service clubs, or other special interest clubs.

To any student wanting to start a new organization: Take a full semester, if you can't wait an entire school year, to absorb the campus culture and to become acclimated to the new place and all it has to offer, before deciding to start something brand-new that may 1) already exist 2) exist in a slightly different yet complimentary way or 3) see if your interests change (as they do when you get to college and begin to explore the many opportunities available to you). You have 3-5 years ahead at this university, provided you are a traditional student, and I assure you that at some time, it is likely that this need has come up and been addressed, and has thrived or died due to the level of interest among other students on campus.

[oceanwalker]

Wow, all, thanks so much for great and diverse information.

My daughter has spent a semester absorbing the campus life, and has friends who attend this college. I am concerned about her being taken away from her education with such an undertaking as starting a new sorority or bringing a new chapter of an existing sorority to this school.

I would love to hear more about your thoughts on this very topic, however. Please continue to post your thoughts on starting a new sorority, the challenges she'd face, the positives, negatives, etc. I asked her to consider APO (as that was my fraternity - co ed), but she really likes the idea of keeping it "theatre/drama" specific. She seems to have great ideas, and the advice I've given her is to put a business plan together and present it to the administration (on her free time).

I look forward to hearing more of your input, since it's you all that are so familiar with this subject, as I am not.

Keep up the hard work!

[33girl]

I'm an APO member too! (Ok...now I had to do math and realize that yes, there ARE female members of APO old enough to have college age kids. Yikes I feel old!!) I don't think she should start an APO chapter unless she really wants to be into the service component and that isn't being served on her campus.

As with anything else, the amount of effort a new chapter of any kind of group would take really depends on the members involved.

[REE1993]

If she is interested in a theatre group, why not just join or start a club? Especially if she wants to be part of a co-ed organization. Does it need have Greek letters in the name?

[MaryAmanda]

I agree with REE. Is there not already some sort of drama or performing arts group on campus with which she can affiliate? Even if she still wants to establish a GLO that's theatre-based later, she could make some good contacts that way and stir up interest with them.

Establishing a chapter of APO or any other service GLO is an entirely different animal. If her heart is in performing before serving, then don't try to force it on her.

Regardless, it sounds like your daughter is still fairly new to college and her campus in particular. She needs to settle in more before trying to start up something new; there still might be a niche she can fit in without having to dig out her own.

[adpiucf]

There are plenty of creative outlets for your daughter. She just has to seek them out. I think that is a much better alternative than burning herself out trying to get other students to work out the ways and means for a possible student organization that doesn't have a faculty adviser or support. There are probably over 100 student organizations at any given college or university, and probably closer to 200.

She can do pageants, join a community theatre group, take an acting class, singing lessons, join a dance studio, the university's homecoming committee, the dance team, a music society like SAI (there are some academic pre-req's), the drill team, or any number of campus activities.

She should go to the Office of Student Activities at her university and talk to them about her interests.

I admire any student who can start a new campus organization, but 9 times out of 10, they fail within the first year, if they even get that far off the ground. Trying to recruit and retain students to become part of a new student activity is like herding cats -- hairy, scratchy and altogether unreliable. I think any student is better served being involved with an existing activity. There are plenty of leadership, mentoring, social and learning opportunities within each-- as well as openness to new and creative ideas, such as adding a theatrical performance component to a service group or incorporating dance into a fitness club.

[oceanwalker]

Hi friends,

Thx again for your wonderful input.

My daughter has sought out the only drama club at her college, which seems to be, surprisingly, quite cliquish. She doesn't feel accepted by this group, which apparently is small and tight knit, and they want to keep it that way (kind of like Ryan and Sharpay, if you know what I mean . The same kids win out the parts up for grabs all the time. At least that's what I am told by my daughter and a friend who also sought out the drama club at their school.

I guess it's like anything you experience when you go to college, a new job, etc. - you're going to find rejection in places you never dreamed of. It's a fact of life.

I think having the two disappointments (turned down by the sorority and encountering an unwelcoming drama group) has just made her stronger, giving her the opportunity to seek out new ideas for social clubs, sororities, etc. I have no idea what she'll end up doing, but she's a smart girl and seems to be serious with this idea of starting a new sorority.

It's in her hands, and all I can do at this point is offer advice based on what I learn on this board. Many thanks to all of you for graciously posting your thoughts and ideas. I'll pass on the link to her.