What is going on at University of Iowa?

[ISUKappa]

For some reason, I'm having a difficult time replying to TSteven

Originally Posted by TSteven

Thank you for your responses. A few more questions if you don't mind. (See below in blue.)

~ Is this a campus wide policy?

AFAIK, it only applies to Greek housing. A member of Lambda Chi Alpha died in 1995 after a night of heavy drinking, and I think a lot of the alcohol-related changes happened as a result.

~ So as a follow up, are there men who only rush certain chapters? And as such, if the chapters are not active, they don't rush at all?

I think some probably did only want certain chapters and now that they're no longer on campus, they aren't in any chapter.

~ In your opinion, do you feel they are half their original size due to the reduction of men now rushing, because they may be viewed as "damaged" or "tainted", or simply because they are still early in the re-colonization stage?

They were starting the recolonization process in 2006, and I *think* they've been installed as a chapter, but I'm not positive. I don't think they're necessarily viewed as "damaged" (IIRC the Betas were closed due to serious fire and health code violations along with some university alcohol violations -- kegs in the chapter house), I just don't think the type of men who previously joined GLOs at Iowa are joining anymore, especially as there are other social/leadership avenues available.

~ By Greek marketing, do you mean the Administration or within the Greek Community - in this case, the IFC? And do you feel this is something more temporary or something that might be permanent?

I think the Greek Community as a whole lacks proper marketing. A current, consistently updated website. Better recruitment materials. Part of that stems from the Administration (I'm not positive if they're allowed to put anything in incoming Freshmen welcome packets, or if so, what) and I think part of it comes from the Greek Affairs not really knowing how to market themselves well. I think they're trying, but it's just not enough.


Thanks again.

there... that seemed to work.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

For some reason, I'm having a difficult time replying to TSteven

there... that seemed to work.

I have been told I can be difficult. So I do apologize for being so.

Seriously, I do want to thank you for your candied and insightful view. Yet I have a few more questions if I may.

What do you view as the future of Fraternity life at Iowa? Do you feel that the campus culture has turn the proverbial corner or can they (fraternities) come back to the prominence they had before?

Also, do you foresee any negative effect on the sororities?

[oldu]

My reference to conditions of "now vs. then" at Iowa are more long term. I remember visiting Iowa City several years ago when there were thirty plus fraternities, most well housed and the majority with 60 or more members. Almost every activity on campus was controlled by Greeks. Compare that to today.

It is not a problem exclusive to University of Iowa. Many of our most prominent public universities are going through the same thing, witness: University of California, U. C. L. A., Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas. While it is critical for fraternities, the ladies have not escaped the problem either. Go look up how many sorority chapters have closed at the above institutions.

Where have we gone wrong? More importantly, what can we do to convince our brightest students who are attending our preeminent universities that they could gain from membership in a fraternity or sorority?

[ISUKappa]

...

Originally Posted by TSteven

What do you view as the future of Fraternity life at Iowa? Do you feel that the campus culture has turn the proverbial corner or can they (fraternities) come back to the prominence they had before?

Now, my viewpoint is as a former sorority advisor, so I didn't have the direct relationship with the fraternities, but I don't know that fraternities at Iowa will ever be as prominent as they were before. I think the campus is just changing too much. The incoming student is not the same as they were even 10 years ago. This phenomenon is talked about on GC all the time and Iowa is no exception.

Also, do you foresee any negative effect on the sororities?

I think there is some, but to a lesser extent. Total was lowered a few years ago and still only about 5 chapters are at or above total. IME, the women going through recruitment are changing as well. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but IME, it's led to lower retention rates and disconnect within the chapter and with the advisors. But maybe that was just the women I saw. I know other houses are doing very well with numbers, retention, leadership and scholarship.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by oldu

Almost every activity on campus was controlled by Greeks.

I don't mean to nitpick or be rude. I find this thread very interesting. BUT...

Why is this a goal of many Greeks? At my school every activity on campus WAS controlled by Greeks and while I am a Greek and proud, it was not then and it is not now apparent to me that having "every activity on campus" controlled by Greeks is a positive thing. Were you meaning this as a downfall/problem at ISU or just as an example of "how the mighty have fallen"?

In my opinion it's a better goal for Greeks to seek leadership positions and work with non-Greek affiliated individuals for the betterment of the entire campus--FOR EVERYONE, not only for Greeks.

I was just curious because this is a view I see expressed or implied often on Greekchat and I wondered what the rationale behind it was. Is it just nostalgia? "Remember when we controlled everything...."

I would submit that a Greek system can be incredibly strong and dynamic while sharing power and allying with non-Greeks--and probably ultimately gain more public respect in the long run. Thus I don't see Greeks controlling every campus activity as a goal to work towards, nor do I see it as a sign of/necessity to having a strong Greek system...

[bejazd]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Thus I don't see Greeks controlling every campus activity as a goal to work towards, nor do I see it as a sign of/necessity to having a strong Greek system...

I agree. The groups that will be successful in the future will adapt their programming to meet the needs and the interests of today's students. That does not mean we have to meet ALL of their needs. But we do have to respect and be aware that not everyone who can be a real asset to our membership is white, beautiful (or handsome), rich, middle class or already accomplished in eighty kazillion activities. If we're helping students to achieve better GPAs, giving them opportunities to serve their community, connecting them with alums that will help them in their future careers and providing a safe, fun social experience, the Greek system will grow and prosper despite changing campus climates.

[BadCat25]

I am with you breathesgelatin. I hate this us vs them atitude so many of the greeks and GDI's have at my university. As far as fraternities go, so many of the men on my campus will not join one because they don't like the whole immature fratboy thing so many of the fraternity members think is so cool. One told me he did not go through rush because "I am not going to let some idiot hit me with a paddle".