After Several Years: What Do You Think of the New Release Figures?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I'm not sure if I'm posing this as a statement, or as more of a question, but...

Maybe the problems with retention (specifically with those who get "bored" and drop later in their college career) have something to do with the size of the chapter.

With a chapter of 100-200 sisters (maybe more), I can see how it would be easy to get lost in the mix. Girls can go through 4 years of school and never hold a major position. I don't know this from experience, but in some cases, I would think it might be difficult to stand up, speak out, and actually be heard amongst that many young women. Being one in a sea of faces doesn't cut it for some people, and sometimes they don't realize that until they're drowning in the middle of it.

Or maybe I'm completely off base..

I think that some people who join larger chapters actually WANT to be "just a member." You've got to think about how much these positions entail in larger chapters - rush chair, for instance. You're in charge of motivating and directing 200 girls and a HUGE budget - it really is almost like an adult job. I think that some people who join smaller chapters want to be "just a member" too, but they can only do that to a certain extent.

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

I'd like to see real data on this too, because the campus I know best (Penn) has deferred recruitment and very poor upperclass retention. Clearly, anecdote won't get us anywhere on this question.

But doesn't Penn have a lot of problems with underground sororities and fraternities? That's an element in the mix that many schools don't have. I'm sure if I saw my friend in an unrecognized group paying half of what I pay and having the same (if not a better) experience, that might make me rethink my membership as well.