Beta Theta Pi pledge dies at Penn State

[GreekOne]

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

I would be way more worried about the fraternities than the sororities (if there's any reason to worry at all). The NPC's recruitment style (with quota/total) should ensure each has enough members to live in, and their housing (in university-owned suites) eliminates many financial/ownership complications. In addition, if for some reason a sorority had to move out of a suite, I don't think that would have as much of an impact on them recruiting as it would being at an SEC school, for example, and being the one chapter without a stand-alone house.

As for the fraternities, this change isn't happening overnight. They have two years to prepare for this and change their live-in policies. If fraternity members really want their chapters to survive, they'll adapt and adjust. And everyone will be in the same boat, so there's no unfair advantage here. The chapters that suffer will be the ones who refuse to change.

[ASTalumna06]

Tau Kappa Epsilon closes its house for the 2017-2018 school year:

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/13/ta...8-school-year/

[shadokat]

I know I will get shit for this, but I think this isn't an awful idea. I love that the alumni corporation cares enough to stay involved and show the men of their fraternity the correct way to move forward.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by shadokat

I know I will get shit for this, but I think this isn't an awful idea. I love that the alumni corporation cares enough to stay involved and show the men of their fraternity the correct way to move forward.

Oh, I think it's a great idea, and it shows their commitment to making a move in a positive direction.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Tau Kappa Epsilon closes its house for the 2017-2018 school year:

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/13/ta...8-school-year/

I can guarantee you that some of these improvements will include video surveillance.

Beta's problem was that they didn't have anyone reviewing the surveillance. In retrospect, reviewing the footage around the time of initiation in previous years might have been a good call.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I can guarantee you that some of these improvements will include video surveillance.

Beta's problem was that they didn't have anyone reviewing the surveillance. In retrospect, reviewing the footage around the time of initiation in previous years might have been a good call.

Definitely. I wonder if this will lead to more and more Greek orgs installing cameras in their chapter houses across the country.

[JonInKC]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I can guarantee you that some of these improvements will include video surveillance.

Beta's problem was that they didn't have anyone reviewing the surveillance. In retrospect, reviewing the footage around the time of initiation in previous years might have been a good call.

And someone from Nationals will be able to watch this footage remotely. Good times.

[JonInKC]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Tau Kappa Epsilon closes its house for the 2017-2018 school year:

http://onwardstate.com/2017/06/13/ta...8-school-year/

"I'm stoked that we moved into the house! I know! Let's trash it!"

I'll never understand this mentality.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

As for the fraternities, this change isn't happening overnight. They have two years to prepare for this and change their live-in policies. If fraternity members really want their chapters to survive, they'll adapt and adjust. And everyone will be in the same boat, so there's no unfair advantage here. The chapters that suffer will be the ones who refuse to change.

Amen. If you aren't going to be committed, you aren't going to be a brother. Simple as that. I have a hard time seeing that as a bad thing.

[blueGBI]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

The problem with the shift is the ability to float financially. Housing contracts are typically committed in October of Freshman year for off campus housing Sophomore year. If rushing is deferred to Sophomore year, housing would potentially have to be made up of Juniors. There would be a required transition for members to transition to this new mind set. The incumbent sophomores would have to stay in the house for 2 years to let the system catch up. If this does not happen, and the house does not have time to recruit heavy for a sophomore class, the numbers won't work for a house to financially make it.

As for sororities, the same applies. Typically at least 90% pledge freshman year and live in sophomore year, moving off campus Jr year. If they can't pledge until Sophomore year, they won't be able to live in until Jr year. It creates a housing crisis for a few years which may make or break some chapters. Housing off campus is much more affordable. If they live off campus sophomore year and enjoy thousands of dollars reduction, it will be hard for parents to justify them moving back "on campus" to pay more into the sorority suites.

Actually, sororities live on campus in dorms in South Halls. Each sorority has a floor and a suite. From what I know, recruitment isn't as sophomore heavy as it used to be when I was at PSU but recruitment isn't like other schools. You can and will probably have a successful rush as a sophomore/junior. Given how most chapters at PSU have 150+ sisters and the average floor holds ~50 women in the rooms, the sororities won't have a problem.

The fraternities, depends on what they and their alumni corps do. I feel like from talking to other alumni, the changes will be grumbled about but in the end, will be successful.