Thinking about starting a new fraternity on campus...Need advice

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I know like 2 of your posts mention the new Greek Village at your school. As a new fraternity, you may not have the resources to move into Greek Village right away, because I'm sure it costs money and you need to get the numbers to support the housing.

You are correct this is where my school comes in as doing everything they can to help students out:

Instead of the organization paying a monthly rent to live in the greek village.

The structured it where its like living in in dorms on campus. You know how if you live on campus there is a housing fee and either your financial aid covers it or you pay it out of pocket.

It's exactly like that each student that wants to live in the greek village is charge individually and its about $2400 each semester. That $2400/semester is added to their school bill so their financial aid can cover it or for them to pay out of pocket. They are even allowing students to pay in monthly installments if needed.

That includes access to everything, including all utilities, high speed Internet, cable, phones etc....

But there is a $20,000/year (which can be paid in $5,000 increments over the course of the academic year (10 months)) fee charged to the greek organization for use of the community commons and all other amenities available to the students. But i have been able to have the school reduce the fee to 10k during our first year

[KSUViolet06]

That's a very cool arrangement. The fee is still something you'll need the numbers to be able to pay.

I guess for now your main concern would be getting the requisite number of guys you need to form a colony. Even if a national org doesn't require a certain # of guys to make a colony, they still will require a certain # in order to make a chapter.

That's going to be your biggest hurdle in terms of starting a new group.

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

That's a very cool arrangement. The fee is still something you'll need the numbers to be able to pay.

I guess for now your main concern would be getting the requisite number of guys you need to form a colony. Even if a national org doesn't require a certain # of guys to make a colony, they still will require a certain # in order to make a chapter.

That's going to be your biggest hurdle in terms of starting a new group.

Yea, the group I am considering requires 20 members to start and by 2nd pledge we should obtain about 40-50

But I will not start with less than 30 members starting Fall 2009

That fee is something to have to look as of right now since the village is not complete, We have now until Fall 2009 to gain 30 members.
With that 30 members each member will only have to pay their regular fees and an additional $20/month for the fee t be covered.

I am thinking about mainly targeting incoming freshman and transfer students.....I am in the process of talking with on of the better sororities on campus to help with recruitment

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by sagent19

I am in the process of talking with on of the better sororities on campus to help with recruitment

Note: The process of recruiting men is a bit different than a sorority recruiting women.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Note: The process of recruiting men is a bit different than a sorority recruiting women.

I think he means having them show up at rush parties as hostesses. Be very careful with this concept, if you get a rep before you're even established as snobbish and not wanting to socialize w/ the "lower" sororities, the girls will be ticked and your name will be mud. Ask women from ALL the sororities.

Question: if you don't like Theta Chi & Phi Delt's alcohol policies, why do you want to go with them? It seems counterproductive. It would be one thing if this was a specific value you espoused, but it seems to be something you see as a negative. You should look at other fraternities instead - you don't want to be fighting w/ your national from the moment you begin.

[pshsx1]

I'm not sure what national fraternity would have a pro-alcohol policy, though..

I friend of mine founded a Theta Chi colony a few years ago and it's now a strong thriving chapter with around 40 guys. It's at a fairly large school, so of course 40 isn't large, but they're doing what they can. You just have to really be committed and never lose that drive to be great.

[33girl]

Most national fraternities do NOT have a policy that bans alcohol completely from the house. Phi Delt and Theta Chi do, at least for new chapters.

He seems to be upset with that restriction, therefore I suggested he pursue a group that doesn't have it.

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by pshsx1

I'm not sure what national fraternity would have a pro-alcohol policy, though..

I friend of mine founded a Theta Chi colony a few years ago and it's now a strong thriving chapter with around 40 guys. It's at a fairly large school, so of course 40 isn't large, but they're doing what they can. You just have to really be committed and never lose that drive to be great.

Thanks for your reply I was really wanting one to be pro-alcohol but rather one that allowed you if you were of age to be resposible if you chose to maybe drink a beer or something in the house or even outside (which is prohibited)

I was just mainly concerned if maybe that would hurt recuritment chances, because the fraternity can not be apart of ANY social event that will have alcohol present

[sagent19]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think he means having them show up at rush parties as hostesses. Be very careful with this concept, if you get a rep before you're even established as snobbish and not wanting to socialize w/ the "lower" sororities, the girls will be ticked and your name will be mud. Ask women from ALL the sororities.

Question: if you don't like Theta Chi & Phi Delt's alcohol policies, why do you want to go with them? It seems counterproductive. It would be one thing if this was a specific value you espoused, but it seems to be something you see as a negative. You should look at other fraternities instead - you don't want to be fighting w/ your national from the moment you begin.

lol, well I actually have no problem with that policy b/c I don't drink myself (so that wouldnt be a issue for me). I was just wanting to know if that specific policy would make it harder to get people to join....

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sagent19

lol, well I actually have no problem with that policy b/c I don't drink myself (so that wouldnt be a issue for me). I was just wanting to know if that specific policy would make it harder to get people to join....

It depends on your campus, honestly. Some places people will welcome that as an option and will like the idea of substance-free living...some places the complete opposite. You know your campus the best and how well it will go over.