NPC appoints Community College Task Force

[AZTheta]

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Where did this "idea" originate? Who is going to claim it or take credit for it? Step up and identify yourself(ves) please. And for those who are wondering, that's a rhetorical question and I know better than to expect an answer.

Calling out the elephant in the living room: it smacks of desperation at best. And a whole lot of (shall we just say) less than desirable at worst. Yikes. Just, yikes.

Frankly, navane nailed it for me and so did PGD-GRAD. And TriDeltaSallie (waving, long time no hear).Thank you for your diplomacy and tact. I'm all out of both those qualities and don't see a refill coming any time soon.

Let us hope this dies a very quiet death. Soon.

[carnation]

^^^ What they said.

[chi-o_cat]

Here’s an idea I think that could work:

The NPC itself (not individual orgs) would establish some sort of Pre-Greek Club at community colleges for students who are interested in going through recruitment after they transfer to a 4-year institution.

This club could provide:
-An opportunity to learn more about what joining a sorority would be like
-Community Service (something to put on their “recruitment resume”)
-Academic Support
-Recruitment Prep- help to get recs, conversation practice
-Networking with current NPC collegians and/or alumnae

If the members successfully meet Pre-Greek Club goals by say, participating in a certain number of hours of community service and a having certain GPA, they would receive an official status that would give them an extra foot in the door, but not a guaranteed bid when they go through recruitment at their 4-year school. Maybe they would be invited back to the first invitational round, but then after that it’s up to the chapters to decide if they are interested. Or maybe have a special quota number for Pre-Greek transfers.

This obviously avoids all the sticky affiliation scenarios listed in this thread, but it does open up the possibility of NPC membership to a new audience of women who otherwise might have not been interested (or even women who *are* interested, but as a junior transfer, they assume shouldn’t even bother to try).

This does mean collegiate chapters would need to be open to a more diverse group of PNMs- you’re going to have older PNMs, PNMs with jobs, PNMs who live off-campus, PNMs who are first–generation college students. But if the point of the NPC task force looking into CCs in the first place is to expand membership beyond the usual low-hanging fruit, then this could be a place to start.

[carnation]

I don't see this going over well at all.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by chi-o_cat

Here’s an idea I think that could work:

The NPC itself (not individual orgs) would establish some sort of Pre-Greek Club at community colleges for students who are interested in going through recruitment after they transfer to a 4-year institution.

This club could provide:
-An opportunity to learn more about what joining a sorority would be like
-Community Service (something to put on their “recruitment resume”)
-Academic Support
-Recruitment Prep- help to get recs, conversation practice
-Networking with current NPC collegians and/or alumnae

If the members successfully meet Pre-Greek Club goals by say, participating in a certain number of hours of community service and a having certain GPA, they would receive an official status that would give them an extra foot in the door, but not a guaranteed bid when they go through recruitment at their 4-year school. Maybe they would be invited back to the first invitational round, but then after that it’s up to the chapters to decide if they are interested. Or maybe have a special quota number for Pre-Greek transfers.

This obviously avoids all the sticky affiliation scenarios listed in this thread, but it does open up the possibility of NPC membership to a new audience of women who otherwise might have not been interested (or even women who *are* interested, but as a junior transfer, they assume shouldn’t even bother to try).

This does mean collegiate chapters would need to be open to a more diverse group of PNMs- you’re going to have older PNMs, PNMs with jobs, PNMs who live off-campus, PNMs who are first–generation college students. But if the point of the NPC task force looking into CCs in the first place is to expand membership beyond the usual low-hanging fruit, then this could be a place to start.

And then, after a decade of CC women who move on to join an NPC group, possibly noting the great majority of groups have not offered many/any memberships to said CC club women?

I say no to specific CC clubs.

Keep MS as it is now and let each of our 26 member groups make their OWN decision to offer membership to ANY specific "type" of student.

[NYCMS]

Originally Posted by chi-o_cat

This does mean collegiate chapters would need to be open to a more diverse group of PNMs- you’re going to have older PNMs, PNMs with jobs, PNMs who live off-campus, PNMs who are first–generation college students. But if the point of the NPC task force looking into CCs in the first place is to expand membership beyond the usual low-hanging fruit, then this could be a place to start.

No. I agree with so many others that this is a really bad idea. How exactly does one have a cohesive (and yes still diverse) group when members are 18 and 40? Members who never have time for the sorority because of work? What's to stop a married gal from joining but not having time because of, well, she has a husband?

I have many childhood friends who went to CC for one primary reason: money. They needed lower costs and the ability to live at home, even if it was driving half an hour to school. Some completed a two-year degree and that was it. Others went to a four year school where most still had some type of part-time job to offset expenses. None of them had interest in Greek life, not that others wouldn't, but they didn't have the time nor the money.

Going the CC route feels like a very watered down experience that will open a Pandora's Box. No thank you.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by NYCMS

Going the CC route feels like a very watered down experience that will open a Pandora's Box. No thank you.

Any increased quantity in NPC membership numbers, and thereby boost in quantity of dues, will not make up for the lack of scholarly quality of most CCs which do not offer the depth/breadth of educational degrees found at the 4 yr entities to which most NPC groups attain and aspire chapters.

[SWTXBelle]

By design, community colleges don't offer the "breadth" of a university - they offer 2 year degrees, but that doesn't mean the education is in any way shape or form inferior. When students take my freshman or sophomore classes, they have an award-winning instructor with over 30 years of experience in a class of 25 or less; at many 4 year schools, they would be being taught by a graduate assistant, or a professor who relies on graduate assistants who are taking their own classes, in a class of a hundred or more. We tracked students from my college and compared their eventual g.p.a.s and completion rate with students who started at a 4 year college - and our students did better. Universities accept community college credits because the students are getting the education they need to succeed in getting a 4 year degree.
It's no secret there are NPC sororities who would not deign to have a chapter at some schools by virtue of the campuses not have the cachet they require. (Looking at a certain NPC that loudly proclaimed they would NEVER have a chapter at Texas State because of an article in Playboy from the 70s. Their loss, I assure you.) That's fine. Their prerogative. But if the NPC is looking into community colleges, let's not adopt the stereotypical attitude of "Well, OBVIOUSLY community college students aren't academically or socially our equals." There are plenty of objective reasons it would not be viable, but to generalize and act like snotty mean girls looking down on community college students isn't a good look. Do we exist to share sisterhood, or to act as glorified cliques? And can glorified cliques continue to exist?
There are NPC sororities that thrive on smaller, perhaps less prestigious colleges. If they, or in fact any NPC member, after careful study and consideration, wants to try, as long as they go in with their eyes open, I'd say that's their prerogative, too. (And yes, I know all 26 would have to agree.)

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

By design, community colleges don't offer the "breadth" of a university - they offer 2 year degrees, but that doesn't mean the education is in any way shape or form inferior. When students take my freshman or sophomore classes, they have an award-winning instructor with over 30 years of experience in a class of 25 or less; at many 4 year schools, they would be being taught by a graduate assistant, or a professor who relies on graduate assistants who are taking their own classes, in a class of a hundred or more. We tracked students from my college and compared their eventual g.p.a.s and completion rate with students who started at a 4 year college - and our students did better. Universities accept community college credits because the students are getting the education they need to succeed in getting a 4 year degree.
It's no secret there are NPC sororities who would not deign to have a chapter at some schools by virtue of the campuses not have the cachet they require. (Looking at a certain NPC that loudly proclaimed they would NEVER have a chapter at Texas State because of an article in Playboy from the 70s. Their loss, I assure you.) That's fine. Their prerogative. But if the NPC is looking into community colleges, let's not adopt the stereotypical attitude of "Well, OBVIOUSLY community college students aren't academically or socially our equals." There are plenty of objective reasons it would not be viable, but to generalize and act like snotty mean girls looking down on community college students isn't a good look. Do we exist to share sisterhood, or to act as glorified cliques? And can glorified cliques continue to exist?
There are NPC sororities that thrive on smaller, perhaps less prestigious colleges. If they, or in fact any NPC member, after careful study and consideration, wants to try, as long as they go in with their eyes open, I'd say that's their prerogative, too. (And yes, I know all 26 would have to agree.)

Bravo! This exactly. Look at where your chapters are. Do you see a trend? Have they been staying at Big State U/Private prestigious U or are they moving towards the many newer 4 year schools that are popping up? UAB was an "extension center" for the main campus for decades before it came into its own. Stop and look at all your chapters...check out the map I'm sure your group has of locations. What do you see? Christopher Newport? Grand Valley State? UC Merced? Where were these places 15-20 years ago? And where were your groups? If we can survive and thrive on these places, I'm sure the leadership of our groups and NPC will make the right decision for CCs. And as I said before, reach out to your group's extension officer and express your views. Anchor love to you all.

[tcsparky]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

. (And yes, I know all 26 would have to agree.)

And, while all 26 would have to agree on the policy, not all 26 would have to agree to attempt to colonize at CCs. Some could say, "While this may not be a good fit for our organisation, I can see where others may want this opportunity."

[carnation]

[QUOTE=chi-o_cat;2475806

This does mean collegiate chapters would need to be open to a more diverse group of PNMs- you’re going to have older PNMs, PNMs with jobs, PNMs who live off-campus, PNMs who are first–generation college students. But if the point of the NPC task force looking into CCs in the first place is to expand membership beyond the usual low-hanging fruit, then this could be a place to start.[/QUOTE]

I've only been involved with chapters at medium sized or large universities. I can not see any of them wanting to pledge older women, women with (major) jobs, possibly off campus PNMs who might have time-consuming jobs or anti-Greek boyfriends. Their priorities lie elsewhere and no one wants ghost members who say they can't show up for required events because they have to work every day that week or their child is sick again. I have known of a couple of "older women" (ha!-both were 23) new members who did okay in their chapters but overall, they don't have the same mindset as younger women. We need women who will contribute a decent amount of time to their sororities!

I can in no way see any benefits to this idea.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Where did this "idea" originate? Who is going to claim it or take credit for it? Step up and identify yourself(ves) please. And for those who are wondering, that's a rhetorical question and I know better than to expect an answer.

Calling out the elephant in the living room: it smacks of desperation at best. And a whole lot of (shall we just say) less than desirable at worst. Yikes. Just, yikes.

Frankly, navane nailed it for me and so did PGD-GRAD. And TriDeltaSallie (waving, long time no hear).Thank you for your diplomacy and tact. I'm all out of both those qualities and don't see a refill coming any time soon.

Let us hope this dies a very quiet death. Soon.

Originally Posted by carnation

^^^ What they said.

Quoting here (it's from last year) so you don't have to hunt for it. Well said.

ETA: Did any NPC group, holding their biennial convention in summer 2021, already take a vote and accept the option to colonize at community colleges in anticipation of a possible positive NPC decision to allow that type of colony?

[33girl]

Yeah, I did not volunteer to join my sorority’s task force because my contribution would consist of two words totalling six letters.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yeah, I did not volunteer to join my sorority’s task force because my contribution would consist of two words totalling six letters.

LOL!

[naraht]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yeah, I did not volunteer to join my sorority’s task force because my contribution would consist of two words totalling six letters.

"LOVE IT"?