Beta Theta Pi pledge dies at Penn State

[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.