Colonization at the University of Alabama?!?

[kk_bama]

[QUOTE=LXA SE285;1492538][QUOTE]Sigma Kappa had a colony at Bama many years ago, but it only survived about two years. One of my close friends was going to school there, and they didn't have a chapter when she registered, but rushed right after Fall rush. Seems to me another chapter went on at the same time - possibly Pi Phi? Both groups had to settle for houses that were lesst han wonderful.

SK was chartered at Bama sometime in the early '30s, closed in the '50s or '60s (I think), and recolonized in 1988, the same year GPhiB first came to Bama. Before they closed again in the mid-'90s, they occupied the house GPhiB is in now (which used to belong to Alpha Xi Delta).

This is all true. When Gamma Phi chartered in '88, we were in an older house that was directly across the street from SDT and Phi Mu on Colonial (but I don't know who originally built that house -- I had heard DG). The older house was bulldozed for the stadium expansion in the mid-90s. Once SK closed, we moved to the house they had been occupying, which is where we are to this day, across from ADPi on Magnolia. Pi Phi also built their new house on Magnolia at that time, as their house was being bulldozed, and I've been told that either AKA or DST was relocated at that time as well.

All this info comes from alums of my chapter. I think the Rotary house or some other sort of International house was also on Colonial and bulldozed for the stadium, as well as an old fire station.

I would dispute the fact that our house now (what was SK and AXiD) is "less than wonderful." It's quite gorgeous.

[AnchorAlum]

This thread is highly entertaining, but as an older alum, I do remember very well when UA had a DG chapter. That was nearly thirty years ago when they closed down.
What's likely interesting is that to non-Southerners, it must appear to some extent that the same GLO's are at the top of the heap, so to speak, at all of the schools. In fact some of the strong groups at one school are not the strong groups at another school here in the South, or even in the SEC.

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlum

This thread is highly entertaining, but as an older alum, I do remember very well when UA had a DG chapter. That was nearly thirty years ago when they closed down.
What's likely interesting is that to non-Southerners, it must appear to some extent that the same GLO's are at the top of the heap, so to speak, at all of the schools. In fact some of the strong groups at one school are not the strong groups at another school here in the South, or even in the SEC.

I think you're right. ABC and XYZ aren't necessarily strong at every school in the South, or anywhere else, for that matter.

It will be interesting to see who colonizes at UA. The Lambda Chis are currently renting out the SDT house while they make improvements to their house. I wonder if one of the new sororities will be allowed to do so next year.

[LXA SE285]

The Lambda Chis are currently renting out the SDT house while they make improvements to their house.

Think it's the Betas instead of Lambda Chi ...

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

Think it's the Betas instead of Lambda Chi ...

The Betas were there last year. Their new house is now complete. The Lambda Chis are in the SDT house now. They have a banner on the front of the house that says "ROLL TIDE LXA," and on Sunday night, when I was on campus last, they were bbqing out back.

[shadden]

I would love to see SK try again at Alabama, but wonder if our national would be willing to invest the kind of money it would take to start up again. I know the Auburn chapter is doing well and UGA seems to be thriving, but it sounds like Alabama is a tough place to be successful.

[thetaprincess]

I would love to see SK or A Phi try to go at Bama.

[Cluey]

If Alpha Phi were to colonize at Bama, the Syracuse Triad would be complete.

When our powers combine.... muahahaha... kidding, kind of

[FSUZeta]

not meaning to rain on cluey's evil triad parade, but wouldn't it be an advantage(even if slight) for a group colonizing to have a successful chapter at another college in the state? alpha xi delta, delta gamma and sigma kappa have chapters that are doing well at auburn.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

not meaning to rain on cluey's evil triad parade, but wouldn't it be an advantage(even if slight) for a group colonizing to have a successful chapter at another college in the state? alpha xi delta, delta gamma and sigma kappa have chapters that are doing well at auburn.

But don't Bama & Auburn hate each other? LOL

There are 2 schools of thought on that - one is yours and the other is that if that chapter is successful, they might not want to take the resources of the nearby alumnae from it to help the new chapter because then the old one might not be so successful anymore.

I think it depends on whether the local alumnae loyalty is primarily to XYZ as a national entity, or to the Auburn chapter of XYZ.

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But don't Bama & Auburn hate each other? LOL

There are 2 schools of thought on that - one is yours and the other is that if that chapter is successful, they might not want to take the resources of the nearby alumnae from it to help the new chapter because then the old one might not be so successful anymore.

I think it depends on whether the local alumnae loyalty is primarily to XYZ as a national entity, or to the Auburn chapter of XYZ.

I see what you are saying, but I think that the second scenario would be the case where the schools are close together. Think same city close. If the chapters would be on opposite ends of the state, not so much.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by aopirose

If the chapters would be on opposite ends of the state, not so much.

Which Auburn and Alabama are, duh. Atlases help, 33

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

They're there, but they seem to have an awful lot of inside squabbles where several people quit. And at the most, they seem to have from 10 to 30 members, hardly enough to maintain a house or any other physical presence on campus. The non-Southern belles seem to go to non-Southern girls.
...As far as an ideal number of members to start with, you'd have to have at least average chapter size, simply to maintain that big house. And yes, you'd have to have a LOT of NMs to be competitive. And they'd better be mostly girls from Alabama. Chapters with a high percentage of out-of-state members struggle.

Maybe I am just an idealistic Yankee, but I disagree. Why does this theoretical new chapter at Bama have to strive to be Old Row/First Circle/whatever? There are chapters all over the country where they aren't considered the prettiest/blondest/richest/WASPiest chapter. As long as a chapter is financially stable, and the members are happy there, why, if a chapter is not "top tier" is it a failure?

There have to be out-of-staters at Bama that would like to be Greek, but don't get the chance because all of the chapters essentially have their new members picked out before recruitment begins based on recs from their Mama's friends. One of the reasons for (re)colonization is because there is a niche in your Greek community missing. Who cares if you have all 26 NPCs on campus if they are all looking for the same thing? If the new chapter isn't going to fill a new niche, Bama should just raise total if they feel that enough women aren't getting placed in "desirable chapters".

[Cluey]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

not meaning to rain on cluey's evil triad parade...

It's okay! Rain away. I don't mind

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Which Auburn and Alabama are, duh. Atlases help, 33

True, but your point is still valid. The possible dilution of alumnae support can be a consideration.