Why is Rush so Cut-throat on the Sororities' End at Big Greek Schools?

[sport]

What happens when there are 5 housed chapters, 2 "best/popular", 2 "mediums" and 1 really "low"?

The 2 tops are in the 120's for members, the mediums are pretty close to that, and the low has around 70. The school is about to add a sixth sorority but why would they do that if the 5th one can't make quota (and hasn't for at least 5 years)?

Also during a year that a colony is coming aboard is it ALWAYS the case that the quotas will be reduced?

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by sport
What happens when there are 5 housed chapters, 2 "best/popular", 2 "mediums" and 1 really "low"?

The 2 tops are in the 120's for members, the mediums are pretty close to that, and the low has around 70. The school is about to add a sixth sorority but why would they do that if the 5th one can't make quota (and hasn't for at least 5 years)?

Also during a year that a colony is coming aboard is it ALWAYS the case that the quotas will be reduced?

The decision to add another group is up to the school. None of us can really answer why they would do it. The large groups may want another so that quota will go down and they may only need to persuade one more to go along with them. The whole majority rules thing.

Anytime one more group is added to recruitment, without an increase in the total number of women going through recruitment, of course quota will go down. It's simple math.

120 / 4 = 30

120 / 5 = 24

Now, if the colony just comes onboard and doesn't participate in recruitment, then no quota shouldn't go down (assuming the total number of women going through remains unchanged).

[Zillini]

Last fall I was chatting with Bama's Asst Dean of Students (aka Greek Advisor). Bama has been blessed with continued increases over the past several years in the number of PNM's going through Formal Recruitment and therefore larger quota's. The focus of our conversation was perhaps Bama needs another GLO on campus.

He said it was in the early stage of consideration with the Administration. However based on the last experience when we expanded, they would consider inviting 2 GLO's on campus the next time. With such a strong, established group of Chapters many of which have been on campus for 90+ years, it's too hard for the new one to compete.

This reminds me that I ought to check back with him and find out what the status is. I haven't heard anything since that conversation.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by Zillini

Last fall I was chatting with Bama's Asst Dean of Students (aka Greek Advisor)...The focus of our conversation was perhaps Bama needs another GLO on campus...This reminds me that I ought to check back with him and find out what the status is. I haven't heard anything since that conversation.

Zillini, I hope you do check back. With all the building going on, especially in the stadium area, changes are probably afoot. I heard the other day that they're considering moving the CEMETERY for stadium expansion! Reconfiguring that area would mean re-doing sorority row, which would might make space for more groups. Although the cost of building a big house is almost prohibitive, not to mention the push to get in the "right" sorority. Still...I can dream!

[IvySpice]

the last experience when we expanded

What happened? I take it that the expansion wasn't successful, but did the new chapter acquire a house, etc.?

[Zillini]

I'm not sure when the last expansion occurred at Bama because it was prior to my moving here, so sometime prior to 1994. They were given/leased/purchased (don't know the specifics) the house of a closed GLO on Sorority Row.

The "new" Chapter is strong now (numbers wise) and have always had a close-knit siterhood, but it certainly struggled in those early years and still does to some extent. Their numbers aren't even close to the size of the other Chapters on campus. They gain the majority of their members through open Recruitment, not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that practically every other Chapter routinely reaches quota during FR and they rarely, if ever, do.

A lot of the problem is the mindset of incoming PNMs onto a campus with such a strong Greek history and traditions. Many come in saying I want to be an ABC or nothing. They also don't wish to belong to the least "popular" Chapter. They'd rather be GDI or try again the following year. (Don't shoot the messenger here, I'm only reporting what I hear and see.)

Many people believe that it's unfair to have all but one Chapter at or above total while that one struggles with numbers. The competition is fierce for good girls. There are also financial considerations because obviously more members means more money coming in that can be spent on improving the physical house and doing fun activities. Which also makes them more attractive to PNMs.

That is why the current thought process of the Admin is that if we expand again it should be by 2 GLOs. Thus no one Chapter is the "low man on the totem pole".

[zzazbama]

The last expansion at Alabama was in 1989, the "newest" chapter is 17 years old.

Here is my question, who would expand at Alabama? Three chapters have closed in the past 20 years. One of those within the past 5 years, and one within the past 15 years.

There are two other chapters that closed one in the 1970s (I think) and one before that.

Also the amount of PNMs being released from Alabama's recruitment is 65 plus the 49 who didn't receive bids, out of the women not receiving bids I would say the majority did not maximize their options.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally posted by zzazbama

One of those within the past 5 years.

Question for Bama people: Which sorority closed within the last 5 years?

[Zillini]

University of Alabama Greek Life

If anyone is interested you can find U of Alabama's Sorority Growth Charts and Recruitment Stats here on the UA/Greek Life website.

I am not sure which sorority you are referring to zzazbama. I am unaware of any that have closed within the last 5 years. One is no longer participating in formal recruitment and has relinquished their house to the University, but they are still active. Their situation is rather unique and not what I was referring to earlier. As to which GLO's could potentially colonize on campus, there are currently only 15 of the 26 Panhellenic organizations represented.

But as I said earlier, this came out of a casual conversation I had with the Asst Dean of Students. I have no idea when or even if it will happen. All I was told was that Admin is looking at the Recruitment numbers, the current Panhellenic membership numbers, the status of the Greek System as a whole as well as the projected growth rate for the University. Part of the Admin's plan is to significantly grow the University student population over the next 5 years and that plan is already well underway.

Another factor I forgot to mention earlier was that many of the Chapters have grown too large for their current (physical) houses. The fire marshall is starting to have fits. I can only imagine she turns a blind eye during Recruitment. Soon many houses may need to expand (which there really isn't any where to go but up and considering the age of the houses that will be costly) or alternative locations on campus need to be found for things such as Chapter meetings, Initiations, etc.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Zillini
I am not sure which sorority you are referring to zzazbama. I am unaware of any that have closed within the last 5 years. One is no longer participating in formal recruitment and has relinquished their house to the University, but they are still active. Their situation is rather unique and not what I was referring to earlier.

I'm starting to think it just ain't a Bama thread without someone telling a lie or repeating a rumor about this particular sorority. (Not you obviously, Zillini)

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Zillini
I'm not sure when the last expansion occurred at Bama because it was prior to my moving here, so sometime prior to 1994. They were given/leased/purchased (don't know the specifics) the house of a closed GLO on Sorority Row.

The "new" Chapter is strong now (numbers wise) and have always had a close-knit siterhood, but it certainly struggled in those early years and still does to some extent. Their numbers aren't even close to the size of the other Chapters on campus. They gain the majority of their members through open Recruitment, not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that practically every other Chapter routinely reaches quota during FR and they rarely, if ever, do.

A lot of the problem is the mindset of incoming PNMs onto a campus with such a strong Greek history and traditions. Many come in saying I want to be an ABC or nothing. They also don't wish to belong to the least "popular" Chapter. They'd rather be GDI or try again the following year. (Don't shoot the messenger here, I'm only reporting what I hear and see.)

Many people believe that it's unfair to have all but one Chapter at or above total while that one struggles with numbers. The competition is fierce for good girls. There are also financial considerations because obviously more members means more money coming in that can be spent on improving the physical house and doing fun activities. Which also makes them more attractive to PNMs.

That is why the current thought process of the Admin is that if we expand again it should be by 2 GLOs. Thus no one Chapter is the "low man on the totem pole".

I think the idea of two expansions is actually really good if those groups would then be able to avoid the stigma of being new - otherwise there might just be two groups being stigmatized. Would there be housing for them? I know the housing situation is going to be changing (or maybe has already changed) due to the stadium reconstruction/expansion.

[Zillini]

I've discovered it's a fairly common misconception. The prevailing notion here seems to be that if a GLO doesn't participate in formal recruitment it must be because they closed.

The GLO in question simply decided that the time, effort and expense involved with formal recruitment was not worth it when compared to the number of pledges they ended up with. Their energy and resources would be better spent on open recruiting. Sadly, I know it broke their heart when they turned over their house to the University. But they simply didn't have enough numbers to manage the costs.

[Zillini]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
I think the idea of two expansions is actually really good if those groups would then be able to avoid the stigma of being new - otherwise there might just be two groups being stigmatized. Would there be housing for them? I know the housing situation is going to be changing (or maybe has already changed) due to the stadium reconstruction/expansion.

Good point about the possible stigma, but at least there would be 2 groups. Misery loves company philosophy I guess. (Just a little joke folks.)

The stadium was expanded several years back. Gotta rack my brain for the specifics, apologies if I don't remember it all correctly. Since the stadium backs up to sorority row, 3 houses were purchased by the University. 1 NPC and 2 NPHC Chapters. I know at least 2 were given sites at other locations on sorority row and they rebuilt, but I can't remember about the other. I could check it out if anyone's interested. (Sorry, I don't keep up with the NPHC Chapters as well as I should.)

The stadium is undergoing further remodelling. So far we haven't heard about any more possible land acquisitions, but you can never rule anything out.

[carnation]

Yeah, the old Pi Phi house was right up under the stadium and they were given a new location. Apparently their current house has everythin a sorority could want!

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Zillini
Good point about the possible stigma, but at least there would be 2 groups. Misery loves company philosophy I guess. (Just a little joke folks.)

The stadium was expanded several years back. Gotta rack my brain for the specifics, apologies if I don't remember it all correctly. Since the stadium backs up to sorority row, 3 houses were purchased by the University. 1 NPC and 2 NPHC Chapters. I know at least 2 were given sites at other locations on sorority row and they rebuilt, but I can't remember about the other. I could check it out if anyone's interested. (Sorry, I don't keep up with the NPHC Chapters as well as I should.)

The stadium is undergoing further remodelling. So far we haven't heard about any more possible land acquisitions, but you can never rule anything out.

For some reason I thought AOPi and Theta may have had to move with the newest expansion. That probably was just another rumor, though.