Total Too Low???

[ASTalumna06]

Due to many complications, complaints, and misunderstandings last semester regarding the change in total, it was decided that it would be better to be left at 40 for the time being.

This semester, all three chapters did very well with recruitment. My chapter in particular had over 20 PNMs to choose from, and I know that the other two chapters enjoyed a luxury similar to this. One of the other two chapters was originally going to decide on 7 additional PNMs, but because of a rule that you need more than 13.1 credits to receive a bid (why it’s 13.1, I don’t know), they were unable to invite any of these girls to join, and they were left with a new member class of 9 (which is still very good). My chapter just had a visit with our District President this past weekend, and I had talked to her extensively about the direction that recruitment was taking on campus. One of the things she had said to me was that the Greek Advisor is still planning to discuss lowering total. This time, however, she talked about bringing it down from 40 to 35. The one chapter I mentioned is at 35 members right now with their recent new member class, and they only have 3 sisters graduating this semester. My chapter also has only 3 members graduating, and all three chapters already have more PNMs who are interested in joining for next semester.
With interest in Greek life here seemingly on the rise, and with all of the chapters becoming closer in numbers, do you think it would still make sense to lower total to 35 right now?

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Due to many complications, complaints, and misunderstandings last semester regarding the change in total, it was decided that it would be better to be left at 40 for the time being.

This semester, all three chapters did very well with recruitment. My chapter in particular had over 20 PNMs to choose from, and I know that the other two chapters enjoyed a luxury similar to this. One of the other two chapters was originally going to decide on 7 additional PNMs, but because of a rule that you need more than 13.1 credits to receive a bid (why it’s 13.1, I don’t know), they were unable to invite any of these girls to join, and they were left with a new member class of 9 (which is still very good). My chapter just had a visit with our District President this past weekend, and I had talked to her extensively about the direction that recruitment was taking on campus. One of the things she had said to me was that the Greek Advisor is still planning to discuss lowering total. This time, however, she talked about bringing it down from 40 to 35. The one chapter I mentioned is at 35 members right now with their recent new member class, and they only have 3 sisters graduating this semester. My chapter also has only 3 members graduating, and all three chapters already have more PNMs who are interested in joining for next semester.
With interest in Greek life here seemingly on the rise, and with all of the chapters becoming closer in numbers, do you think it would still make sense to lower total to 35 right now?

What are the chapter numbers right now after recruitment?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

What are the chapter numbers right now after recruitment?

35, 25, 24

[Denise_DPhiE]

Then yes, lowering total would allow those groups to still be at 80% of total or so which is probably a requirement of their national. Any chapter who falls below 80% of total (for us) is on standards review and if it is a campus situation, it gets reviewed, otherwise they'd get focus chapter status (lots of attention from recruitment folks)

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Denise_DPhiE

Then yes, lowering total would allow those groups to still be at 80% of total or so which is probably a requirement of their national. Any chapter who falls below 80% of total (for us) is on standards review and if it is a campus situation, it gets reviewed, otherwise they'd get focus chapter status (lots of attention from recruitment folks)

I'm going to go off topic a bit, but...

In terms of National organizations, each sorority is different. While ours would obviously like us to do well with recruitment, as far as I can tell, AST chapters are generally very small. For as long as I’ve been a member, we’ve never received major pressure to get our numbers up. One chapter, on the other hand, from what I’ve observed, receives a lot of pressure from the higher-ups, but they’re the largest chapter. The third chapter, they want to be closer to total if for no other reason than to lower their dues. They are required to pay dues as if their chapter was at total. So even if they have 25 members, they have to pay as if there are 40.

But basically, the national organizations’ opinions don’t really matter (don’t take that too literally!). And this whole situation in itself makes things extremely difficult when discussions regarding total have come up.

Ok, back to the topic at hand...

[AGDee]

NPC recommends a couple different ways to calculate Total for a campus. Average Chapter Size is one. Highest chapter size is another. I don't recall the other 2 or 3 offhand. They are also currently recommending that this be reviewed annually. Chapters may *always* take quota, even if it puts them over Chapter Total. While I would encourage a discussion with the NPC Area Advisor that oversees your campus, 35 seems fine to me for your campus. If recruitment numbers are high next year and everybody gets to 35, bump it up again.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Chapters may *always* take quota, even if it puts them over Chapter Total.

I don't know if you were just saying this in general, or if you were actually applying it to our situation (and I don't know if I've mentioned this here yet), but we don't have a total/quota system. We have COB year-round and we can only bid to total.

[ASTalumna06]

anyone..?