What’s it like to be in a Huge Chapter?

[gee_ess]

Dubais and 33 -

You both bring up good suggestions! I cannot speak for Panhell - I think they are busy with their own issues to take on anymore. We only recently (within the past 5 years) managed to get them to do away with compounding, yes COMPOUNDING, fines that were levied against sorority members who had active PNM Facebook friends during recruitment. That could mean that one girl(or in KKgs case, the house) could accumulate several thousand dollars in fines for EACH GIRL. Thankfully, that rule was thrown out - but not before it had been in place for about three years.

Truthfully, AR Panhell really does 'get it' with regard to these large houses. They work well with the groups and everyone helps each other. For example, it has been an all out effort to bring new groups on campus. Every house on campus wanted this, begged for this. I can only hope we work to bring another one or two on soon. We had 5 present and two were chosen, so others are willing to come on despite the cost.

The national people? Well, I really don't think they do 'get it' as much as those who are dealing with it daily. I am not implying that they don't care. It is just a hard thing to wrap your mind around if you don't work with it all the time. Again, to be fair, I do think the chokehold is loosening some, and as I write this, I can acknowledge that possibly national experienced the same growing pains that we did and are now working to adjust.

With regard to any 'shrinking pains,' I don't think we will really have any to speak of. The growing happened to quickly that we can drop down with ease. My oldest pledged in '06 - had 75 in her class. My youngest pledged in '09 with 95. And this class of '11 had 135. So, if we just dropped to the '09 number, it would be a breath of fresh air.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Dubais and 33 -

You both bring up good suggestions! I cannot speak for Panhell - I think they are busy with their own issues to take on anymore. We only recently (within the past 5 years) managed to get them to do away with compounding, yes COMPOUNDING, fines that were levied against sorority members who had active PNM Facebook friends during recruitment. That could mean that one girl(or in KKgs case, the house) could accumulate several thousand dollars in fines for EACH GIRL. Thankfully, that rule was thrown out - but not before it had been in place for about three years.

Truthfully, AR Panhell really does 'get it' with regard to these large houses. They work well with the groups and everyone helps each other. For example, it has been an all out effort to bring new groups on campus. Every house on campus wanted this, begged for this. I can only hope we work to bring another one or two on soon. We had 5 present and two were chosen, so others are willing to come on despite the cost.

The national people? Well, I really don't think they do 'get it' as much as those who are dealing with it daily. I am not implying that they don't care. It is just a hard thing to wrap your mind around if you don't work with it all the time. Again, to be fair, I do think the chokehold is loosening some, and as I write this, I can acknowledge that possibly national experienced the same growing pains that we did and are now working to adjust.

With regard to any 'shrinking pains,' I don't think we will really have any to speak of. The growing happened to quickly that we can drop down with ease. My oldest pledged in '06 - had 75 in her class. My youngest pledged in '09 with 95. And this class of '11 had 135. So, if we just dropped to the '09 number, it would be a breath of fresh air.

Could you do initiation like graduation? Inspiration together Monday, Liberal Arts majors initiation Tuesday and Science/Engineering majors Wednesday? Bigs go on the day their little is initiating and everyone else could sign up for one day or the other? Fancy celebration Dinner Wednesday night at the house? It would mean more work for the Rituals chair and girls with speaking parts, but it would make it easier to find a location.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by HQWest

Could you do initiation like graduation? Inspiration together Monday, Liberal Arts majors initiation Tuesday and Science/Engineering majors Wednesday? Bigs go on the day their little is initiating and everyone else could sign up for one day or the other? Fancy celebration Dinner Wednesday night at the house? It would mean more work for the Rituals chair and girls with speaking parts, but it would make it easier to find a location.

A good idea, but probably wouldn't work because that would create problems for the part of ritual that involves alumnae participation.

They made some adjustments this year that helped but it is still, as you can imagine, an exhausting experience. I have sworn off attending any initiations after participating for my two daughters! It's just too much for this old woman!