Scary Quota Numbers

[Smile_Awhile]

Originally Posted by carnation

You know what has played into the large pledge classes we're seeing in the NPC? The fairly recent difficulty of getting into UGa as a freshman or UT because of the 10% rule. A lot of kids who would've easily gotten into either back in the day still want the huge university experience so they leave their home states for Arkansas, Auburn, Bama, and Ole Miss. I write most of my recs for those 4 schools.

I'd also say this for most Oklahoma schools- the number of Texas kids at OU and OSU is ASTOUNDING.

And probably why Greek life is booming at each, and OSU is open to expansion (if I remember correctly).

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

I'd also say this for most Oklahoma schools- the number of Texas kids at OU and OSU is ASTOUNDING.

And probably why Greek life is booming at each, and OSU is open to expansion (if I remember correctly).

OSU was open and AOII will be colonizing there this spring.

As for Arkansas and Stadium Drive - I believe Theta was located there when they were on campus and this was perceived as a negative for their chapter. When AOII colonized, Stadium Drive was not considered to be a viable alternative. I wonder if 2 groups came on so that 2 sororities could be located there, if that would help things. You know - not being the only sorority on fraternity row.

Housing is a huge issue for Arkansas, but perhaps one that an NPC might tackle due to the potential rewards of a prosperous chapter in a prestigious greek system. I think the bigger obstacle at Arkansas is the culture. Sure, people say they would welcome a new group, but what they tend to mean is they welcome a new group to help them out with smaller pledge class sizes as long as that group "agrees" to come in as a bottom chapter.

Some other huge opportunities have arisen the past few years and NPCs have bitten - Tri Sigma went on at Mizzou even though that required building a house - DG at Bama, Alpha Phi at FSU and Bama. But those places obviously had similar potential rewards as Arkansas without the same level of risk. (Colonization is always risky, but not to the level that it is at Arkansas.)

I think if the numbers at Arkansas continue to rise, the attitudes there may change. There are a LOT of students who are interested in greek life who aren't 5th generation sorority women who know for sure which chapter they MUST have. So many PNMs are the first in their families to attend college let alone participate in greek life. These women may want the sorority experience more than they want a specific chapter. This may open the door to NPCs who previously weren't "southern" enough or steeped in Arkansas tradition.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

As for Arkansas and Stadium Drive - I believe Theta was located there when they were on campus and this was perceived as a negative for their chapter. When AOII colonized, Stadium Drive was not considered to be a viable alternative. I wonder if 2 groups came on so that 2 sororities could be located there, if that would help things. You know - not being the only sorority on fraternity row.

Theta was at the corner of Maple and Stadium (i.e., on Sorority Row), although I think that Stadium changes its name when you cross Maple!

Maybe the sororities will have to add 3rd and/or 4th floors to expand, lol.

[wavycutchip]

Originally Posted by carnation

Theta was at the corner of Maple and Stadium (i.e., on Sorority Row), although I think that Stadium changes its name when you cross Maple!

Maybe the sororities will have to add 3rd and/or 4th floors to expand, lol.

I think you may mean that Theta was at the corner of Maple and Garland, which is now the Ag law programs or was torn down and is now the Health Center. Stadium dead ends at Maple (Stadium parking on West side, Administrative buildings on East side, and Poultry Science Building on the North Side).

http://campusmaps.uark.edu/

[TriDeltaSallie]

Interesting thread.

I wonder how many women at Arkansas don't go through recruitment because the pledge classes are so large. A large pledge class and a large group like that holds zero appeal to me. My entire graduating class in high school was only 150 people!

It's really too bad they can't bring on three or four groups all at once to eliminate the stigma of being the "new" group. As someone else said, there are probably plenty of women who would enjoy the sorority experience, but don't necessarily want to be in one with all of the extra southern expectations attached.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

Interesting thread.

I wonder how many women at Arkansas don't go through recruitment because the pledge classes are so large. A large pledge class and a large group like that holds zero appeal to me. My entire graduating class in high school was only 150 people!

It's really too bad they can't bring on three or four groups all at once to eliminate the stigma of being the "new" group. As someone else said, there are probably plenty of women who would enjoy the sorority experience, but don't necessarily want to be in one with all of the extra southern expectations attached.

I think it's kind of what people say about having large amounts of dogs or cats - once you get to a certain point one more doesn't matter. Even if the pledge class numbers dropped to 50 tomorrow, the chapters would still be over 200 and would stay that way. I'm sure that there are people in ALL the SEC schools who don't want that kind of Greek experience. Arkansas is not a unique snowflake.

If you don't want a "southern" sorority experience, you probably aren't going to rush at Arkansas. You can only go on the "it's a sorority, but not like the others" train for so long, unless you have women coming to the school with plans of pledging that group. Some of the historically Jewish sororities have chapters like this, but as for the other 24 NPC groups, it really isn't feasible.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by wavycutchip

I think you may mean that Theta was at the corner of Maple and Garland, which is now the Ag law programs or was torn down and is now the Health Center. Stadium dead ends at Maple (Stadium parking on West side, Administrative buildings on East side, and Poultry Science Building on the North Side).

http://campusmaps.uark.edu/

Yes! Thank you! I just knew that street name changes when you cross the street!

Looks like it was where it says "Law Programs Center", right there in front of Holcomb and Futrall.