Alpha Xi Delta, Beta Theta Pi, & Alpha Phi Housing Concerns: Dartmouth

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by a.e.B.O.T.

I think it is unfair that there are only 7 sororities to 15 fraternities. That definitely does not provide balance, especially if the sororities have caps on how much they can recruit.

Most campuses (most, not all) have more fraternities than sororities. Illinois has 20 sororities and 42 fraternities.

Yes, sororities have caps (quotas, totals), but that isn't really a factor. Think of the SEC schools: Large sororities (in the 100s) and then the fraternities are on a bell curve with a few having 100+ guys, a large group with about 50-100, and then the rest with <50.

So, is it unfair? If more women wanted to join the system or were willing to give new groups or "lower-tiered" groups a chance, there could be a more equal amount of sororities to fraternities.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Most campuses (most, not all) have more fraternities than sororities. Illinois has 20 sororities and 42 fraternities.

Yes, sororities have caps (quotas, totals), but that isn't really a factor. Think of the SEC schools: Large sororities (in the 100s) and then the fraternities are on a bell curve with a few having 100+ guys, a large group with about 50-100, and then the rest with <50.

So, is it unfair? If more women wanted to join the system or were willing to give new groups or "lower-tiered" groups a chance, there could be a more equal amount of sororities to fraternities.

I don't see how fewer chapters=unfair as long as male to female Greek participation is comparable. At my alma mater, we have 14 NPC sororities and 22ish IFC fraternities. As far as participation, there are comparable numbers of men and women who are Greek, it's just a question of chapter size. The sororities are larger and there is less variance in size (after formal recruitment last year, two chapters had around 85, and the largest had 115, with most over 100). The fraternities have much variance in size, but generally are smaller, most being within 40-60, a small group above 75, and a small group below 25.

[a.e.B.O.T.]

-By mentioning that i can see how it is unfair with the ratio, I was saying that I see the point in the articles on how the ladies didn't want to tip the gender balance further out of there favor. I generally think however that the amount of chapters there are is sort of irrelevant, its activity and spirit.

-I think the beta alums kicked the sorority out of the house as to not renew the contract they had going, so when they can get started, they could use the house (the current contract was apparently for like 5 or 10 years). I have heard rumors of the alums shopping around for a new fraternity, but those were strictly rumors. I haven't heard anything from nationals announcing a Dartmouth expansion, so it is all in the air. Nationals needs to go around the alums and figure out where they stand with the school.

[exlurker]

Rally and Petitions -- Article

The campus paper's January 18 article on the Thursday, January 17, rally and petitions related to the Beta and Alpha Xi housing situation, and to the concerns about sororities' "control" of "social spaces," is at:

http://thedartmouth.com/2008/01/18/news/social/

The paper's editorial in the same issue is at:

http://thedartmouth.com/2008/01/18/opinion/verbum/