Can I Ask This?

[irishpipes]

As for Theta, I know things didn't go well in the past, but the student body at Arkansas has changed dramatically. Arkansas allows adjoining state students to pay in-state tuition if they meet some very mediocre academic standards. Arkansas is now flooded with kids from Oklahoma and Texas especially. These are states where girls would give their right arms to be Thetas at many schools. This could very well make Theta a desirable option for this huge contingent in the future.

As for the poster who said the new chapter will give the top tiers a run for their money - that's a bit idealistic. ALL of the chapters at Arkansas have superior members, huge memberships, and terrific collegiate experiences. None of that is what makes a sorority "top tier". That is all based on tradition and gossip and alumnae who won't let things die. The new groups are giving hundreds more girls the opportunity to be greek in a great system at a great school, but they aren't breaking down the traditional perceptions. That will never happen at Arkansas. People won't let it happen. And that isn't bitterness - I don't give a flying leap. Our chapter there is awesome, and I really don't care if Bitsy's 94 year old grandmother is knitting in her rocking chair telling her ABC friends that "well, they weren't there in aught 9."

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

. That will never happen at Arkansas. People won't let it happen. And that isn't bitterness - I don't give a flying leap. Our chapter there is awesome, and I really don't care if Bitsy's 94 year old grandmother is knitting in her rocking chair telling her ABC friends that "well, they weren't there in aught 9."

This visual made me laugh! But, Irish is right...however, I am inclined to blame the size of our state as much as the people. I don't think women are consciously keeping the tiers alive but this tiny state ( for reference, the whole state has a population the size of the St. Louis area) contributes to the problem.

You can play Six Degrees of Separation in every town and find someone who knows someone that you know- particularly if you went to the UA. So, by default, the traditional chapters and their reputations are more well known throughout the state simply because many of the citizens of arkansas either stay here after graduation or return here later in life.

People moving to the state from elsewhere go two places - Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas ( wal mart land) so there isn't a lot of opportunity for alumnae from other campuses to knock down those perceived reputations that are percolating in the gazillion small towns around the state. Then, those girls from those small towns head to the u of a and hear of groups they know nothing about or know very few adult women from those groups and the tiers continue...

My 2 cents...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

This visual made me laugh! But, Irish is right...however, I am inclined to blame the size of our state as much as the people. I don't think women are consciously keeping the tiers alive but this tiny state ( for reference, the whole state has a population the size of the St. Louis area) contributes to the problem.

You can play Six Degrees of Separation in every town and find someone who knows someone that you know- particularly if you went to the UA. So, by default, the traditional chapters and their reputations are more well known throughout the state simply because many of the citizens of arkansas either stay here after graduation or return here later in life.

People moving to the state from elsewhere go two places - Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas ( wal mart land) so there isn't a lot of opportunity for alumnae from other campuses to knock down those perceived reputations that are percolating in the gazillion small towns around the state. Then, those girls from those small towns head to the u of a and hear of groups they know nothing about or know very few adult women from those groups and the tiers continue...

My 2 cents...

This sheds a lot of light on the situation. I hadn't realized Arkansas' population was that small. It sounds similar to Mississippi.

[Lovethesand]

Living in a large metropolitan area with a population constantly in flux I find this fascinating.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

This visual made me laugh! But, Irish is right...however, I am inclined to blame the size of our state as much as the people. I don't think women are consciously keeping the tiers alive but this tiny state ( for reference, the whole state has a population the size of the St. Louis area) contributes to the problem.

You can play Six Degrees of Separation in every town and find someone who knows someone that you know- particularly if you went to the UA. So, by default, the traditional chapters and their reputations are more well known throughout the state simply because many of the citizens of arkansas either stay here after graduation or return here later in life.

People moving to the state from elsewhere go two places - Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas ( wal mart land) so there isn't a lot of opportunity for alumnae from other campuses to knock down those perceived reputations that are percolating in the gazillion small towns around the state. Then, those girls from those small towns head to the u of a and hear of groups they know nothing about or know very few adult women from those groups and the tiers continue...

My 2 cents...

And to make the circle even smaller - the percentage of the population that is college-educated is microscopic. It really makes the microcosm tiny.