Alabama Recruitment Prediction (Fall 2008)

[AnchorAlumna]

From what I understand (Zillini please chime in!), Alpha Phi will lease the Sigma Delta Tau house temporarily. This is a rather small house, so no one may live there, OR just a small number of girls. I believe Sigma Delta Tau's chapter still exists at Alabama, but they have not occupied their house in several years. In fact, a couple of fraternities have rented the house while theirs was being built.

I'm assuming it is being redecorated!

Here's what we did at Auburn: the colonizing team was composed of a couple of international officers, collegiate development consultants, and, I think, a local alum or two. They interviewed over 2 days, and issued invitations to come back for a second interview. There was an actual pref ceremony by our Mississippi State chapter. The board selected those who would receive bids. They were shooting for average chapter size, which came out to a little on the lower side, but not terribly far off. That's rough, but that's the jist of it. And Alphi Phi will probably do it differently - everybody has their own way.

Now, numbers...I believe last year Alabama had around 1,200 PNMs? Quite a few are released or drop out because they don't get what they want. That will be the biggest problem - PNMs who think that if they don't get AAA, BBB, or CCC, or at least, uh, EEE, that they'll drop out.
So if this year there are 1,400 already signed up...well, there are PLENTY of good PNMs out there for Alpha Phi to pledge!

[tld221]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Now, numbers...I believe last year Alabama had around 1,200 PNMs? Quite a few are released or drop out because they don't get what they want. That will be the biggest problem - PNMs who think that if they don't get AAA, BBB, or CCC, or at least, uh, EEE, that they'll drop out.
So if this year there are 1,400 already signed up...well, there are PLENTY of good PNMs out there for Alpha Phi to pledge!

Una pregunta, por favor?

For the PNMs that get dropped (or dont accept bids), is it just free reign to colonize and pledge (APhi, for example)? or is there some informational and invite process, similar to NPHC?

i would think that you'd be a little more selective in choosing women to be founding members - its a lot of work (and a little different, for the first few years in the way they recruit and interact) and id hope that org would want strong PNMs (ie. the "fell through the cracks" women). you get that by having an invite-type selection vs. "hey sign up if you wanna be APhi!"

[lillady85]

Originally Posted by tld221

Una pregunta, por favor?

For the PNMs that get dropped (or dont accept bids), is it just free reign to colonize and pledge (APhi, for example)? or is there some informational and invite process, similar to NPHC?

i would think that you'd be a little more selective in choosing women to be founding members - its a lot of work (and a little different, for the first few years in the way they recruit and interact) and id hope that org would want strong PNMs (ie. the "fell through the cracks" women). you get that by having an invite-type selection vs. "hey sign up if you wanna be APhi!"

The process is usually different.. I know for Chi O, they went through regular recruitment but then had a separate colonizing recruitment. There is an informational, an invite process then a "bid day".

And yes, it is a lot more selective. I know nearly 200 girls went through the separate colonizing recruitment for Chi O and of those, only 30 or so were selected. They advertised but it was not a 'anyone' can get in. But I can't imagine colonizing at Bama!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by tld221

Una pregunta, por favor? For the PNMs that get dropped (or dont accept bids), is it just free reign to colonize and pledge (APhi, for example)? or is there some informational and invite process, similar to NPHC? I would think that you'd be a little more selective in choosing women to be founding members - its a lot of work (and a little different, for the first few years in the way they recruit and interact) and id hope that org would want strong PNMs (ie. the "fell through the cracks" women). you get that by having an invite-type selection vs. "hey sign up if you wanna be APhi!"

In the case of the Auburn colonization (I can only speak for that experience and a couple of others), believe me, it was still selective! There was a general convocation (an informational, as lillady said) where everyone was invited. The colonizing team made a Power Point-type presentation, and team members spoke, and women were asked to sign up for an interview time. Candidates went through at least 2 rounds of interviews and also submitted information forms. Also, while the colonizing team was interviewing, an alumnae team was rounding up sponsor forms on the candidates.
No, not everyone who signed up was asked to join. Some were not asked back to the second interview, and some didn't show up for the second interview. One or two turned down their bid...guess they figured they didn't want to devote the time to it.
The resultant class was outstanding in their accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular.

Originally Posted by lillady85

The process is usually different.. I know for Chi O, they went through regular recruitment but then had a separate colonizing recruitment. There is an informational, an invite process then a "bid day". And yes, it is a lot more selective. I know nearly 200 girls went through the separate colonizing recruitment for Chi O and of those, only 30 or so were selected. They advertised but it was not a 'anyone' can get in. But I can't imagine colonizing at Bama!

See? Very similar process!
Why not colonize at Alabama? There's a need...you gotta start somewhere! It's just on a bigger scale, plus you've got the added burden of having to build or renovate a big house.
But it can be done.

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

From what I understand (Zillini please chime in!), Alpha Phi will lease the Sigma Delta Tau house temporarily. This is a rather small house, so no one may live there, OR just a small number of girls. I believe Sigma Delta Tau's chapter still exists at Alabama, but they have not occupied their house in several years. In fact, a couple of fraternities have rented the house while theirs was being built.

I'm assuming it is being redecorated!

You are exactly right. SDT still owns their house but hasn't had the numbers to support living in it for quite a while now. They have allowed the University to rent it out. It is not very big and can't house very many to live in, but it is right on Sorority Row.

This past Monday I attended a Panhellenic Recruitment meeting and our Greek Advisor said Alpha Phi was working fast and furious with the contractors to get the SDT house redecorated prior to the 1st round of Recruitment. They will be building a house of their own and are using the SDT house in the meantime. The GA said if it's not completed in time, they will use a room in the stadium. (FYI for those who aren't familiar with this campus, the stadium is right behind Sorority Row.) They plan on participating in 1st round "Ice Water Tea", then will drop out. The GA said they are bringing in many actives from other campuses as well as alums to help out.

Through out the remainder of formal Recruitment they will have an information location/table set up. Since we have so many PNMs Bama has added several extra parties to each round. This gives the PNMs "off" parties. Hopefully some will use that time to go chat with the Alpha Phi's. Even if those particular PNMs aren't interested, they may know other women who might be and can pass along the information.

After formal Recruitment is over Alpha Phi will then begin their actual recruiting. I haven't heard anything about this lately and admit I haven't thought about asking. (Note to self - need to find out if this is indeed accurate.) During one of the initial meetings regarding expansion, Panhellenic said that after Bid Day the existing chapters would be given a specific time period to snap/COR up to Quota and/or Chapter Total. After that there will be a moritorium on pledging new members. (How long?) This allows Alpha Phi to recruit without competition. With Delta Gamma coming next I assume it will be similar. (Another thing to check on.)

[FreshmenDAD]

I am not sure how big the SDT now AlphaPhi house is at Bama as I have only seen the exterior of the house but at Panhellenic weekend the AlphaPhi advisor made a big point that girls could live in the house this fall and the number I recall was something like 35. The AlphaPhi advisor also made it sound like they were putting a lot of money into the SDT house so I assume they will be there for a few years. I may be wrong on this but got the impression Alpha Phi had purchased or signed a long term lease on the SDT house and planned on that being their permanent home. Either way they will have a house in the fall on Sorority Row that they can use as a selling point.

My daughter is going through rush at Bama so I will try to let everyone know how things turn out for Alpha Phi from a PNMs perspective.

[WVU alpha phi]

I had no clue Alpha Phi was colonizing at Bama this fall! I met some Bama Tri Delts at a fraternity formal this past spring and they mentioned it, but I hadn't heard anything through Alpha Phi so I figured nothing was going on. How exciting!! We don't have any southern chapters outside of NC and TX so this is big!

[AnchorAlumna]

Hey Zillini,
What's the word on expanding sorority row with new houses? Has it been decided yet who gets to build?
BTW, DG goes on in 2010...so we are hoping Alpha Phi does well!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Hey Zillini,
What's the word on expanding sorority row with new houses? Has it been decided yet who gets to build?
BTW, DG goes on in 2010...so we are hoping Alpha Phi does well!

There was a post in another thread where someone from Bama said A Phi will be in the SDT house till 2010, by that time their new house will be built and then DG will go into the SDT house.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There was a post in another thread where someone from Bama said A Phi will be in the SDT house till 2010, by that time their new house will be built and then DG will go into the SDT house.

I think it's the assumption that in 2 years SDT will still not be able to fill their house that is sticking in her craw. Can't say as I blame her on that one. I would wager, however, that SDT has worked all this out with the university and Panhellenic and that if they do all of a sudden have a huge membership increase they won't be out in the cold.

ETA: I googled and I couldn't find the post that said this, but I know I didn't dream it. Please, if you are the one who posted this (and then edited it because you were wrong or found out you shouldn't have said anything), PM me so I know I'm not going insane.

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

I had no clue Alpha Phi was colonizing at Bama this fall! I met some Bama Tri Delts at a fraternity formal this past spring and they mentioned it, but I hadn't heard anything through Alpha Phi so I figured nothing was going on. How exciting!! We don't have any southern chapters outside of NC and TX so this is big!

Alpha Phi is also colonizing at Georgia Tech as well.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by OTW

Alpha Phi is also colonizing at Georgia Tech as well.

It's pretty exciting, and I expect them to do really well there.

I'm hopeful that maybe Alpha Phi can come to UGA if it expands, and we'll have the Syracuse Triad represented.

It's pretty cool that Bama will have it.

(Tech will still need Gamma Phi Beta for it, but maybe someday.)

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

It's pretty exciting, and I expect them to do really well there.

I'm hopeful that maybe Alpha Phi can come to UGA if it expands, and we'll have the Syracuse Triad represented.

It's pretty cool that Bama will have it.

(Tech will still need Gamma Phi Beta for it, but maybe someday.)

From your lips to God's ears . . .

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by OTW

Alpha Phi is also colonizing at Georgia Tech as well.

Great news! A friend from high school was a Sig Ep at Georgia Tech and his Greek life stories were always entertaining.