Large vs Small chapters

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AngelPhiSig

(I believe the ZTA house was an old dorm? 33girl, I need you on that one!) They held more women than we did.

Yes, it was an old dorm. They held the most women (52 as opposed to 14-16 for the rest of the sorority houses) BUT the bedrooms themselves were postage stamp sized AND most of the members had to buy meal plans (a lot of the reason of moving off campus, which our houses were, was to not have to eat caf food anymore) since only upperclassmen had kitchen privileges due to the amount of people living in the house. Since Ali and I were in school, the ZTAs are no longer in this house and the largest sorority house (D Phi E's) is more like a block of apartments - I'm not sure how they do the common area, the last time I was in it it was a fraternity house and scary.

Anyway - I can't imagine living in a large house with a cook, specific mealtimes, etc. To me it just seems like prolonging being under your parents' roof. Part of the good thing about our Greek houses was living on your own, eating when you wanted, etc etc. I guess it's all in what you are used to.

[BAckbOwlsgIrl]

Lane Swerve...

So if you have NM classes of 100+ and chapter size is 310ish. Wouldn't chapter size be 400ish? What happened to the 100 members that left? That is a drop out rate of 25%. What is being done to retain members? Sure we can say that part is finances, some don't like sorority life. But 100 members is HUGE! Then again, 25% is huge. I wish that this board would address membership retention more. I realize that it walks the line on membership selection, internal chapter operations, etc.

End of Lane Swerve...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BAckbOwlsgIrl

Lane Swerve...

So if you have NM classes of 100+ and chapter size is 310ish. Wouldn't chapter size be 400ish? What happened to the 100 members that left? That is a drop out rate of 25%. What is being done to retain members? Sure we can say that part is finances, some don't like sorority life. But 100 members is HUGE! Then again, 25% is huge. I wish that this board would address membership retention more. I realize that it walks the line on membership selection, internal chapter operations, etc.

End of Lane Swerve...

That is exactly the part I don't get. I don't think it's treading the MS line. I know there have been some people on here who say that at their school, Greek is something you are gung ho on as a sophomore, junior year it's ok, and if you're a senior and still involved it's uncool.

And this isn't even telling the whole story - I'm sure there are girls who just pay their dues and fines and only show up to the bare minimum to stay an active and not get called in front of standards because they want to go to mixers and meet men, or because being able to say "I'm an XYZ alum" is advantageous socially after graduation. It's doubtful they really understand what sisterhood is, other than a means to a social end.

I'd like it to be that chapters aren't lauded/penalized for making/not making quota, but rather for their retention rate. I have no doubt that some of the chapters that are getting bitched at after every recruitment would all of a sudden be the fair-haired girls, and vice versa.

[AngelPhiSig]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yes, it was an old dorm. They held the most women (52 as opposed to 14-16 for the rest of the sorority houses) BUT the bedrooms themselves were postage stamp sized AND most of the members had to buy meal plans (a lot of the reason of moving off campus, which our houses were, was to not have to eat caf food anymore) since only upperclassmen had kitchen privileges due to the amount of people living in the house. Since Ali and I were in school, the ZTAs are no longer in this house and the largest sorority house (D Phi E's) is more like a block of apartments - I'm not sure how they do the common area, the last time I was in it it was a fraternity house and scary.

I forgot they arent in there anymore - where do they live now? I only know whats going on with Phi Sig (and getting our old house back and not that one back in the "triangle" area of the old Sig Tau/KDR and I cant remember who was there area... ) Im wondering if it hurt their recruitment. I know having a house at CU is a big thing - and having one close is better. I thought I had heard the university had bought the ZTA, Tri Sigma, and such houses...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AngelPhiSig

I forgot they arent in there anymore - where do they live now? I only know whats going on with Phi Sig (and getting our old house back and not that one back in the "triangle" area of the old Sig Tau/KDR and I cant remember who was there area... ) Im wondering if it hurt their recruitment. I know having a house at CU is a big thing - and having one close is better. I thought I had heard the university had bought the ZTA, Tri Sigma, and such houses...

I have no idea where ZTA is now. The Foundation (which is a different animal than the University) owns the houses - I think ours is empty right now, the fraternity in it maybe couldn't fill it.

[AngelPhiSig]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I have no idea where ZTA is now. The Foundation (which is a different animal than the University) owns the houses - I think ours is empty right now, the fraternity in it maybe couldn't fill it.

Which house was yours?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AngelPhiSig

Which house was yours?

Oh, duh. The Phi Mu Alpha house you would know it as. It then became the Phi Delt house. I don't know how any of the fraternities maintain housing with the small amounts of members they have.