Is it crazy?

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

ADPiUCF - The majority of incoming college students are non-traditional students. While there are still a great deal of traditional students I would advise you to be a bit more open-minded when discussing things simply because the face of "sorority" as we know it is going to change. We both went to schools in FL but it is clear that we had vastly different experiences. That is proof enough.

To the bolded, Really? I would love to see those stats. Not arguing, just interested. Regardless, the majority of sorority women are in their late teens, early 20's. This is not a group I really wanted to hang with when I was 27. And don't even get me started on how irritatingly immature those frat guts are going to be to the average 27 year old.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Yes, maybe not at the traditional schools to start with, but at the CC levels and then continuing on (CC enrollment is booming FYI due to re-entries and affordability). But at major metropolitan institutions it's beginning to be noticed as well. I just did my MS in Higher Ed. Admin. I'd be more than glad to find some of my research papers if you'll message me your email. I did most of them on non-traditional students.

I also took several classes with a professor whose research specialty is Access and Choice in Higher Education (who can go to school, who goes on to study, and if so where do they attend and why?). Her work earned that grant that covered my latest position. The face of college is changing.

My apologies ADPiUCF. Next time I'll make sure I provide you with statistics you can use. Or at least a few links to some articles for you to read in-depth.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

To the bolded, Really? I would love to see those stats. Not arguing, just interested. Regardless, the majority of sorority women are in their late teens, early 20's. This is not a group I really wanted to hang with when I was 27. And don't even get me started on how irritatingly immature those frat guts are going to be to the average 27 year old.

The statistic that has such a huge increase in the average age of students starting college is a nationwide statistic taking into account all post secondary institutions. (I have seen it quoted as high as 70% of students now are nontraditional - I think this varies on the sampling methods.) Older students that are looking to improve their career options by taking advantage of programs to allow them to return to school enroll more often in community colleges or schools near where they currently live and/or work. This means that it is more common in schools in urban areas. Federal programs that were to encourage job training at reduced costs often do not allow enrollment in four year universities. The "flagship" state institutions have had an increase in the average age of incoming students, in part due to veterans taking advantage of their GI bill, but it is not as high as the overall nationwide increase.

http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publ...Facts-2011.pdf

http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-l...onal-students/

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I know that my sorority magazine has had SEVERAL articles (some by members and some outlining things that were discussed in national Panhel meetings) about the increase in non-traditional students and that we need to find ways to reach them, as well as open our minds to what "collegiate sorority membership" is supposed to be like.

If you want to play ostrich, though, that's up to you.

Wow- Let me just commend ASA (am I correct?) on publishing this. I wish ALL sororities would. It's going to be important in the upcoming years. Students are going to stop coming in these "neat little packages" all the time and I think all chapters should be prepared to rise to the challenge rather than cower waiting for more 18 year-olds to show up. My institution is majority transfer and we handle it quite well.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Wow- Let me just commend ASA (am I correct?) on publishing this. I wish ALL sororities would. It's going to be important in the upcoming years. Students are going to stop coming in these "neat little packages" all the time and I think all chapters should be prepared to rise to the challenge rather than cower waiting for more 18 year-olds to show up. My institution is majority transfer and we handle it quite well.

Yes you are correct, and thank you.