affect of admissions on rush

[WarEagle07]

Perhaps you are onto something here but you won't know without further investigation. My suggestion: Has the trend statewide and nationwide been aligned with the trend at your school? Did your administration do anything unfavorable in terms of rules and regs that impacted fraternities? And lastly, there are many schools that are very selective and have strong greek traditions... Duke to name just one. Why are those students willing to be greek even though they have obviously scored in the top tier? Do not make the presumption that greeks are not great students. It could be as simple as a rise in tuition equals less cash for greek life. I can see that as the most plausible answer.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by WarEagle07

Why are those students willing to be greek even though they have obviously scored in the top tier? Do not make the presumption that greeks are not great students.

I think he was basing that on the Greeks at that school and not the Greeks nationwide.

There are plenty of campuses that always had high admission standards.

[violetpretty]

When I was researching the possibilty of extension at my campus, I noticed a similar trend in numbers. Granted, I'm talking about sororities, and Maryland is a very different school that Louisiana Tech (that is the Tech you are referring to, right?).

Back in the 80s, quota was 40-50, and this was with 18 chapters; chapter size ranged from 100-150. In 1987, Maryland had a record number of PNMs register, and to accomodate the growing interest, PHA added Zeta Tau Alpha 2 years later. However, from 1990-1993, 4 chapters closed (1 for immediate financial issues, 1 for RM issues, and the other 2 were low membership), and a 5th chapter closed in 2000, also due to low membership. One can theorize that with less diversity of chapters, fewer students will seek to find their niche in a GLO.

In 1996, Maryland switched to a deferred formal recruitment. Almost always, having a deferred recruitment will decrease the number of PNMs because they get into a "grind" with the activities and clubs they joined first semester and then they decide they can't/don't want to commit their time to a GLO. However, one strong argument for deferred recruitment is that the GPA is higher, since PNMs will have a semester of college coursework under their belts, so PNMs are weeded based on college GPA, not high school GPA.

Also, in the mid 1990's, a strengthened Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life implemented a "Vision" program, requiring chapters to submit a vision statement, have values-based programs in a variety of areas, academic requirements, etc. to be recognized. The social policy has become stricter, and much more regulated.

Maryland, like Louisiana Tech, has also become more academically selective in the last 20 years, but enrollment continues to grow (and our Greek community is slowly growing again).

I think the Greek community at my alma mater (and I am sure it is a common trend at many other Universities) faces a double-edged sword. The stereotypes of Greeks would suggest that dumb, materialistic, party-hard students go Greek. However, the Greek community seeks smart, well rounded students, who value friendship. These students may be turned off by the stereotypes of Greeks, and therefore, not go Greek.

Sorry to ramble, but I hope this may give to some ideas to explore about membership at Louisiana Tech.

[dukedg]

Wow, WarEagle07, you and I really think alike! Not only did you mention my fabulous alma mater, but you also love Freakanomics.

I have to agree that the first major thing to figure out is whether this is a trend that was happening at most other schools, only certain other schools or only your school.

If it was happening at most other schools, then you can look to bigger socioeconomic trends (remember there was a recession in the early 90's!) or bigger sociological trends (for example, what was popular for the kids going to college at that time).

If it was happening at only certain other schools, they you need to look at what those schools have in common with yours and with each other.

If it was only happening at your school or only a few schools, then you can look at specifics of your school, like admissions changes, changes in administrative attitudes towards greek life, etc.

That's how I would start anyway. If you want to come up with a possible hypothesis, it is easiest to eliminate large sections of things that could NOT be the reason first.

[nate2512]

Louisiana Tech changed presidents in 1987. The former served from 1962-1987 and the current has served since then. Perhaps the new president has done something affected Greek Life.

There are just so many variables.
Why did certain fraternities fold?
How did campus living requirements change?
Average GPA vs. Fraternity GPA along those years?
Number of other campus organizations available?
Maybe it has to with Tech using a quarter system?
Ratio of male to female students?

I think there are too many variables to know what really caused it.

[Tom Earp]

While the theory and facts are very interesting, I wonder how this would factor in todays greek standards?

From some of the things I have heard and read, the Greeks usually have a higher campus GPA than the campus average.

Greeks are in expanding mode whether it be a new colony or going back and rechartering closed chapters.

Things run in cycles and I am sure will continue. But, if the R M is cut down, the growth will continue except for one thing, the cost of education going up and the expendable money will be a draw back.

Great insight to say the least TechTransfer!!!!