Help Finding a non-NPC Sorority to Affiliate With!

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Sorry but NPC isn't the end all be all of sorority life. Perhaps on this campus multicultural sororities fare better than NPC chapters. There's nothing "fair" or "unfair" about it. These girls are, apparently, not interested in joining an existing chapter, and would like to affiliate, if possible, with an existing organization.

Outside of the NPC world "fair" is not necessarily an issue. It's freedom of association. They're following the campus rules and shouldn't be prohibited from starting a new organization simply because the NPCs on campus (50% of the sororities) aren't ready to expand.

My opposition has nothing to do with NPC or non-NPC---I was part of a local that colonized with an NPC during my undergraduate years, so I have no bias and I believe there is a place for local organizations on some campuses. If this was a campus of all local organizations that voted not to allow expansion because several were not at total or otherwise struggling, I would say the same thing. Campuses need to invest in those who have invested in them--in this case, the groups that already exist. And while sometimes a new group can infuse the system with energy, it is my understanding that the "system" has essentially voted 'no' and there shouldn't be a loop hole around it.

Now, if this was to found a multicultural where none existed or a service organization where none existed to fill a need, that might be different. But that's not what these women want to do, so I go back to the campus should support the existing groups first.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

My opposition has nothing to do with NPC or non-NPC---I was part of a local that colonized with an NPC during my undergraduate years, so I have no bias and I believe there is a place for local organizations on some campuses. If this was a campus of all local organizations that voted not to allow expansion because several were not at total or otherwise struggling, I would say the same thing. Campuses need to invest in those who have invested in them--in this case, the groups that already exist. And while sometimes a new group can infuse the system with energy, it is my understanding that the "system" has essentially voted 'no' and there shouldn't be a loop hole around it.

Now, if this was to found a multicultural where none existed or a service organization where none existed to fill a need, that might be different. But that's not what these women want to do, so I go back to the campus should support the existing groups first.

You're ignoring that only half of the "system" has said no. There's no indication that the non-NPCs are opposed to a new chapter, or that the NPCs are opposed to a new non-NPC chapter.

Why should only half the "system" get a voice?

[33girl]

I think what LPIDelta might be talking about (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that if what a group really wants is to be NPC, they might form as a "social/service", "social/professional" or "multicultural" sorority, to get recognized, and then operate as an NPC social group would. There's been several threads on here about GSS chapters doing selective rush, having mixers with fraternities and basically behaving like NPC groups (without the alcohol rules). This is not cool. It's getting what you want by the backdoor and "using" another group for purposes that might not match their national purposes.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think what LPIDelta might be talking about (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that if what a group really wants is to be NPC, they might form as a "social/service", "social/professional" or "multicultural" sorority, to get recognized, and then operate as an NPC social group would. There's been several threads on here about GSS chapters doing selective rush, having mixers with fraternities and basically behaving like NPC groups (without the alcohol rules). This is not cool. It's getting what you want by the backdoor and "using" another group for purposes that might not match their national purposes.

Except I've not gotten the impression that they want to be anything other than a social sorority. What is so odd about affiliating with a regional/local/etc. non-NPC local?

The OP never gave any indication that they were looking at service or professional orgs specifically, and many multicultural orgs are as social as the NPC. Jumping to the conclusion that the OP's group is trying to get their chapter approved as... OPA for example... and then be a quasi-NPC doesn't appear to have any evidence in this thread.

Perhaps I'm just annoyed at the idea that a) what the NPC says goes even for non-NPCs and b) that "clearly" they're not supporting/should go look at the NPCs on campus.

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

You're ignoring that only half of the "system" has said no. There's no indication that the non-NPCs are opposed to a new chapter, or that the NPCs are opposed to a new non-NPC chapter.

Why should only half the "system" get a voice?

You're right--I probably am not giving the rest of the system its due. But this group of women wanted to started a national social/service sorority. When the group approached the "system" at their school that is in place for that type of group they essentially were turned down (because if there is a tie, the motion fails). And now they are trying to take advantage of what is essentially a loophole by researching non-NPC options. And the Greek Life person seems to be allowing it. My "beef" as it were is not with the women--they are entitled to investigate their options--its with the campus administration who is not adhering to the wishes of the existing Panhellenic. Since this group will likely have to have a relationship with the existing groups, why not try to build a relationship with them and encourage them to consider what a new group can bring to campus? Maybe one of them would change their vote?

If a new group can come to campus anyway, from a strategic standpoint, the Panhellenic might reconsider its vote to allow an new NPC so that all the groups are playing by the same rules. But essentially, their vote means nothing in this circumstance.

As far as service or honorary groups acting like social/service groups--I don't get that at all, and wouldn't advocate that.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

You're right--I probably am not giving the rest of the system its due. But this group of women wanted to started a national social/service sorority. When the group approached the "system" at their school that is in place for that type of group they essentially were turned down (because if there is a tie, the motion fails). And now they are trying to take advantage of what is essentially a loophole by researching non-NPC options. And the Greek Life person seems to be allowing it. My "beef" as it were is not with the women--they are entitled to investigate their options--its with the campus administration who is not adhering to the wishes of the existing Panhellenic. Since this group will likely have to have a relationship with the existing groups, why not try to build a relationship with them and encourage them to consider what a new group can bring to campus? Maybe one of them would change their vote?

If a new group can come to campus anyway, from a strategic standpoint, the Panhellenic might reconsider its vote to allow an new NPC so that all the groups are playing by the same rules. But essentially, their vote means nothing in this circumstance.

As far as service or honorary groups acting like social/service groups--I don't get that at all, and wouldn't advocate that.

I doubt the non-NPCs are playing by the same rules as far as recruitment and anything else governed by the NPC itself. Their vote is strictly based on what is best for the NPCs on campus, not Greek women as a whole because that's what it is designed to do. So their vote means exactly what it is designed to mean. If those chapters are not at total then they need to address that, but the school sets the rules for allowing new chapters, not the college panhellenic. I don't see why the Greek Advisor has to support only half of the sororities over the other half.

I also don't see checking into your options as a backdoor or a loophole. That assumes that NPC is the ideal and the other options are also-rans.

I agree that no one should subvert a GLO's goals to run a service as a social for example, but neither should we assume that because they asked about NPC first, they're settling for something else.