Duke's Alpha Omicron Pi chapter to close

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

It must be hard to be an alumna and see your chapter close, but I bet it's much harder to have your chapter closed while you're an undergrad.

It is. But, 99.9% of those women would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Most of those chapters that people call "failing" are some of the closest, most loyal chapters you will ever encounter. To those women, it is worth all of the heartache. Sorry, but if you haven't been through it, you simply cannot understand it.

Wouldn't you rather have a chapter of your GLO be shut down than be known as the worst chapter on campus that never meets quota, has a bad reputation, etc?

No. Personally, I am not superficial enough to worry about what people think about a certain chapter. If a chapter is struggling, but trying and working their asses off how can anyone be "ashamed" of how a chapter is perceived? I know I am not like everyone. But, those in struggling chapters are no less my sisters than the ones from the most successful chapters. I personally feel that groups should look at their ailing chapters and care for them before worrying about expansion. What does it say if you have x amount of chapters, but 30% of them have been closed?

One more thing, with girls, as has been said before, you MANY times have the "smallest chapter syndrome." Typically, no matter the campus, your smallest chapter will get a stigma. You may be smaller by 5 girls. But, you might soon hear whispers of the so-called "problems" your chapter is having. Next thing you know, your next rush may be harder because of the rumors. The rushees tend to steer away from the smallest group. If this goes on with everyone else maintaining their numbers, you'll eventually close.

But, that doesn't solve the problem. WHY? Because, you'll still have a "smallest chapter." And, the cycle will continue. Bringing new chapters on doesn't solve the problem. They'll just take their place in the numbers rankings.

It's a very odd thing that I don't see happen with guys as much as girls. That's why I think guys just don't understand the whole thing.

[SWTXBelle]

Not to mention the fact that a struggling chapter CAN turn it around and be successful. If, at the first sign of trouble, chapters closed, we'd have very few chapters left.

It is entirely possible to have a chapter full of intelligent, attractive, involved women who are caught in the "death spiral" - they aren't at total, because they are perceived as being "smaller" they can't pledge quota, and so it goes. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and sometimes, with a great deal of work, it can be stopped. But often there comes a time when it is better to close the chapter and hope someday an opportunity to recharter will present itself. While it is in the best interests of the GLO, and the members certainly understand that, it is painful. Terribly painful.

I will also add here that in talking to members of chapters which have closed I have noticed that the chapters themselves tend to be VERY close. Sisters who go through a character-building experience like this make extremely strong bonds. It certainly isn't something you would wish on a chapter, but a bit of a struggle can really draw sisters together.

And I don't know that all fraternity members can "get it". Most fraternities seem to pull charters as a result of some untoward action on the part of the members. It is undoubtly painful too, but at least there is something someone did "wrong" - with sororities, often they've done everything they can think of to turn it around, and despite all their good work they just can't get the numbers. Apples and oranges.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

...

And I don't know that all fraternity members can "get it". Most fraternities seem to pull charters as a result of some untoward action on the part of the members. It is undoubtly painful too, but at least there is something someone did "wrong" - with sororities, often they've done everything they can think of to turn it around, and despite all their good work they just can't get the numbers. Apples and oranges.

I also think its due to the fact that fraternities can (re)start a chapter when ever they want ... so you go off for a few years .. HQ will restart your chapter most likely as soon as possible. That's just not true with NPC .. first the campus has to open, then your group has to be selected to present, then it has to be selected to colonize. So no matter how much the alums and HQ want to reopen a chapter, it just aint goina happen unless you get lucky.

I know, my chapter has been closed for 10 years with no sign the campus will ever reopen.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

It is. But, 99.9% of those women would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Most of those chapters that people call "failing" are some of the closest, most loyal chapters you will ever encounter. To those women, it is worth all of the heartache. Sorry, but if you haven't been through it, you simply cannot understand it.

When I went through Rush there was a chapter on my campus that was clearly struggling. They had about 30 members compared to 100+ for the other 9 houses. As superficial 18 year olds we wanted nothing to do with a chapter that was perceived as the "weak" one. Despite those women (and their alums) working their tails off, the chapter closed that fall. While everyone else had a full quota of 42, they pledged less than 10.

Now almost 20 years later, I remember that chapter differently. Those women were so incredibly close, loved their organization, had so much spirit and loyality. They were smart, acheivers on campus, and had so much going for them. They deserved better than their perception on campus and the tent talk during rush.

I have no doubt that many of those members are close today and likely involved in their national organization. Looking back, and I more impressed with that small group of determined women than I am with virtually all of the other organizations on my campus.

Since that time two additional sororities have colonized on my campus, but my heart will always be with those small, devoted ABCs. I hope that one day they can return too.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

I have no doubt that many of those members are close today and likely involved in their national organization. Looking back, and I more impressed with that small group of determined women than I am with virtually all of the other organizations on my campus.

Since that time two additional sororities have colonized on my campus, but my heart will always be with those small, devoted ABCs. I hope that one day they can return too.

I just recieved my latest issue of ToDragma and it lists all of the national volunteers. I couldn't help but notice how many of our most active volunteers are from chapters that are now closed. It makes me wonder if maybe those in struggling chapters apreciate what they have that much more and want to work to help others that struggle. Just a thought.

[SWTXBelle]

It is my sincere hope and prayer that the use of the new release figures will help avoid "the death spiral", and that we will see far fewer chapters have to close because of declining numbers.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

It is my sincere hope and prayer that the use of the new release figures will help avoid "the death spiral", and that we will see far fewer chapters have to close because of declining numbers.

Let's hope so.

Hopefully one of these days the campus panhellenics will realize that they are only as strong as their weakest chapter, which may or may not be the smallest.

[SWTXBelle]

I have a great deal of respect for those NPC groups who have smaller chapters on competitive campuses and allow them to handle recruitment and other chapter issues in a way that allows them to continue to thrive no matter what their numbers.

[sigmaceli]

You know, I do have to give PantherTeke some credit where it is due. He may not necessarily understand the mystical, albeit slightly crazy, ways of the NPC, and he still takes the time to enter the lion's den and try to understand where we're all coming from as members of NPC organizations. I appreciate it. Yay for interfraternalism!

On another note, I do want to extend my sympathies to the AOII chapter at Duke. They must be going through a really emotional, difficult time and I don't feel this thread has continued on that vein. If any of these women are on GC, I hope they realize that we're here for support.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I just recieved my latest issue of ToDragma and it lists all of the national volunteers. I couldn't help but notice how many of our most active volunteers are from chapters that are now closed. It makes me wonder if maybe those in struggling chapters apreciate what they have that much more and want to work to help others that struggle. Just a thought.

I noticed that too, ForeverRoses. Even our International President, Susan Danko, is from a closed chapter. You can't get much more dedicated than Susan!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I noticed that too, ForeverRoses. Even our International President, Susan Danko, is from a closed chapter. You can't get much more dedicated than Susan!

I've noticed that a number of very dedicated Gamma Phi alumnae - including our immediate past president - are from our Vanderbilt chapter, which closed several years ago.