Schools that need to open for NPC expansion

[sugar and spice]

They're comparable to the other large schools in the system (La Crosse, Eau Claire, Oshkosh). I don't know why total is set so high when all the sororities seem to have trouble meeting it.

At least when I was attending a school not too far away ten years ago, Whitewater was seen as, uh, a difficult campus. That may have changed by now, but if it hasn't, it isn't surprising that the NPC groups would be reluctant to take that on.

[Low D Flat]

I wasn't on private property. The house is on a corner, and all four sides are visible from the public sidewalk. Feel free to report me if you see me. In fact, I'm going to be in Tuscaloosa for a game this fall, so that's a great opportunity to try to get me in trouble if you like. Though it may be hard to spot me -- I have a feeling that crowds of people will be admiring/photographing those amazing houses around the stadium. I want to get some shots of the historic ones that are going to be torn down in the next year or two.

People who live in beautiful or architecturally important buildings generally have to get used to tourists admiring or photographing the place. That was certainly true of my freshman dorm -- we had some architecture students from Germany who'd made a pilgrimage to see our campus one time.

[Griffins&Quills]

Next one from the list, LSU has opened

So

Alabama - still open?
LSU
FIU
Belmont
Cal State - San Marcos
Texas Tech
Florida
Northern Arizona
North Georgia
Nevada - Reno

have all opened since this thread was started. Pretty on point predictions.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

Next one from the list, LSU has opened

So

Alabama - still open?
LSU
FIU
Belmont
Cal State - San Marcos
Texas Tech
Florida
Northern Arizona
North Georgia
Nevada - Reno

have all opened since this thread was started. Pretty on point predictions.

I just found out from my little sister that NAU is open for expansion. Presentations are in the spring I believe. Phi Mu, Alpha Xi Delta and Kappa Delta will be presenting. I'm hoping Phi Mu is chosen as I think it would be awesome to have a Phi Mu chapter in AZ.

[Griffins&Quills]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I just found out from my little sister that NAU is open for expansion. Presentations are in the spring I believe. Phi Mu, Alpha Xi Delta and Kappa Delta will be presenting. I'm hoping Phi Mu is chosen as I think it would be awesome to have a Phi Mu chapter in AZ.

Presentations are happening now. Via twitter we just presented a few days ago. Obviously I'm rooting for Alpha Xi

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

Presentations are happening now. Via twitter we just presented a few days ago. Obviously I'm rooting for Alpha Xi

Thanks for the information!

My little sister decided not to go through recruitment. She mentioned this because her NAU 100 teacher is a Tri-Delt, who said something to the class about sorority presentations. She thought it was happening in the spring. Maybe that is when colonization is occurring.

[clemsongirl]

I would argue that the University of Rhode Island should open for sorority expansion soon if it's not already in the works. Quota last year was 35 but jumped up to 53 this year, and the houses are not large enough to hold that many girls. The year before that quota was 29. A chapter was closed and then a new one opened, so they're back up to the same number of chapters in years past, but it seems as though both interest and the placement rate have gone up. They've had three groups colonize in the past five years now but the numbers are only getting larger.

One issue is housing-groups without permanent housing plans are seen at a large disadvantage to those with permanent housing, and plenty of fraternities are willing to rent their houses to sororities while they are suspended but not sell them outright. I can think of several alumni associations that would be thrilled to have a local chapter in a state with limited Greek Life presence, but not having solid housing would put them behind the eight ball.

[Lbchio]

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

I would argue that the University of Rhode Island should open for sorority expansion soon if it's not already in the works. Quota last year was 35 but jumped up to 53 this year, and the houses are not large enough to hold that many girls. The year before that quota was 29. A chapter was closed and then a new one opened, so they're back up to the same number of chapters in years past, but it seems as though both interest and the placement rate have gone up. They've had three groups colonize in the past five years now but the numbers are only getting larger.

One issue is housing-groups without permanent housing plans are seen at a large disadvantage to those with permanent housing, and plenty of fraternities are willing to rent their houses to sororities while they are suspended but not sell them outright. I can think of several alumni associations that would be thrilled to have a local chapter in a state with limited Greek Life presence, but not having solid housing would put them behind the eight ball.

As a long time member of the Rhody greek community, I wouldn't consider us to be a great candidate for further expansion at this time. Sure, there was a huge jump in the retention of PNMs this year--but that's only one year. I'd like to see the initiation rate for these large classes, and if next year's formal recruitment is consistent with this year's.

Also, the only sorority on campus without a house (KD) took the largest NM class, so they aren't hurting for members based on lack of housing. Greek Life has never been consistent at URI, so I for one would like to see if this positive trend continues for a few years before adding another chapter. Besides, lots of sorority members like to live off campus after a year or two, so larger chapter size=more freedom in choice of living arrangements.

[acg233]

I'd created a list on my own last year and about 7-8 of them ended up opening up, so I'm ready to put down my guesses in public so I can point to them later and say, "See! I was right!"
These are all purely on numbers, as I don't have any idea about housing or other situations at these schools. Also, some might need a few years, but if the growth were to continue...

Auburn University ('14 Q=72, '13 Q=60, '12 Q=58, '11 Q=62). Last colonization was Theta in 2009

Jacksonville State ('14 Q=29, '13 Q=28, '12 Q=22, '11 Q=21)

Samford ('14 Q=70?, '13 Q=65?, '12 Q=48?)

Troy ('14 Q=60?, '13 Q=54, '12 Q=39, '11 Q=41)

University of North Alabama ('14 Q=35?, '13 Q=32?, '12 Q=27)

University of South Alabama ('14 Q=39?, '13 Q=35, '12 Q=26?, '11 Q=24)

Arkansas State University ('14 Q=46?, '13 Q=41, '12 Q=43, '11 Q=34) Zeta Tau Alpha colonized in 2012

University of Central Arkansas ('14 Q=58?, '13 Q=50?, '12 Q=25?)

California State University- Fresno ('14 Q=37?, '13 Q=31?, '12 Q=30?, '11 Q=23)

California State University- Fullerton ('14 Q=73?, '13 Q=69, '12 Q=56)

California State University- Long Beach ('14 Q=61?, '13 Q=49, '12 Q=40, '11 Q=36)

UC Davis ('14 Q=50?, '13 Q=34, '12 Q=48, '11 Q=38)

University of San Francisco (No quota, but '14=50-60, '13=37?) Only 2 NPCs, Kappa Alpha Theta colonized in 2011

Stetson University ('14 Q=38?, '13 Q=33?, '12 Q=28?, '11 Q=22)

University of North Florida ('14 Q=73? '13 Q=67?, '12 Q=55?, '11 Q=52)

Georgia Tech ('14 Q=50, '13 Q=45, '12 Q=45, '11 Q=44)

Georgia Southern ('14 Q=72?, '13 Q=59?, '12 Q=62?, '11 Q=60)

Georgia Southwestern State ('14 Q=34, '13 Q=17?)

Georgia State ('14 Q=31, '13 Q=23, '12 Q=21

University of Hawai'i at Manoa ('14 Q=28, '13 Q=20, '12 Q=17)

Ball State University ('14 Q=48?, '13 Q=49?, '12 Q=39, '11 Q=30)

Butler University ('14 Q=52?, '13 Q=53, '12 Q=41)

University of Kansas ('14 Q=65, '13 Q=56, '12 Q=44, '11 Q=44)

Washburn University ('14 Q=30?, '13 Q=23, '12 Q=15, '11 Q=19)

Bellarmine University ('14 Q=26, '13 Q=20) One NPC

Eastern Kentucky ('14 Q=25, '13 Q=22, '12 Q=20, '11 Q=17)

University of Kentucky ('14 Q=90, '13 Q=82, '12 Q=65, '11 Q=58) Phi Mu colonized in 2011

Western Kentucky ('14 Q=51, '13 Q=43, '12 Q=32, '11 Q=39) Alpha Xi Delta colonized in 2012

Louisiana Tech ('14 Q=59, '13 Q=44?)

Nicholls State ('14 Q=48?, '13 Q=44, '12 Q=43, '11 Q=37)

University of Louisiana at Monroe ('14 Q=40, '13 Q=36?, '12 Q=37, '11 Q=26)

Salisbury University ('14 Q=40?, '13 Q=31?)

Towson University ('14 Q=40?, '13 Q=31?)

Western Michigan ('14 Q=31?, '13 Q=20, '12 Q=15)

University of Minnesota- Duluth ('14 Q=55, '13 Q=47+24)

Delta State ('14 Q=30?, '13 Q=31?, '12 Q=21? '11 Q=18)

Missouri University of Science & Tech ('14 Q=41, '13 Q=23, '12 Q=27, '11 Q=27)

University of Central Missouri ('14 Q=31, '13 Q=30, '12 Q=24, '11 Q=22)

Princeton University ('14 Q=55?, '13 Q=49?, '12 Q=15?)

Ohio University: ('14 Q=56?, '13 Q=38, '12 Q=37?)

Northeastern State University ('14 Q=34?, '13 Q=18, '12 Q=12, '11 Q=17)

Linfield College ('14 Q=36?, '13 Q=29, '12 Q=?, '11 Q=25)

University of Pittsburgh ('14 Q=31, '13 Q=26, '12 Q=21?, '11 Q=20)

East Tennessee State University ('14 Q=50?, '13 Q=37?, '12 Q= 26?)

University of Memphis ('14 Q=42?, '13 Q=41?, '12 Q=31?, '11 Q=23)

University of Tennessee ('14 Q=60?, '13 Q=48, '12 Q=52, '11 Q=46)

Lamar University ('14 Q=25?, '13 Q=22?, '12 Q=13?)

Midwestern State ('14 Q=24, '13 Q=23, '12 Q=16, '11 Q=17)

Stephen F. Austin State ('14 Q=48?, '13 Q=45, '12 Q=41, '11 Q=39)

Texas A&M ('14 Q=85?, '13 Q=67?, '12 Q=55, '11 Q=52)

University of Utah ('14 Q=51?, '13 Q=38, '12 Q=31?)

West Virginia University: ('14 Q=50, '13 Q=55, '12 Q=38?, '11 Q=25)

[unarose]

Originally Posted by acg233

University of North Alabama ('14 Q=35?, '13 Q=32?, '12 Q=27)

As far as chapter facilities and housing goes…I'm not entirely sure how the University would go about providing the equivalent to a new group. Each of the four groups on campus now have a floor of a set of residence halls, with 24 beds on each floor for what's usually the exec boards of the groups and any other girls that want to live there. The floors occupied by the sororities also each have a chapter room and storage space for ritual equipment and the like.

The housing spaces themselves would be less of an issue for the University, being that each of the two buildings have a first floor that is not assigned to any particular group and have the same number of bed spaces. The issue I would see is that neither first floor of the building has the equivalent chapter space for a new group. I do believe the University plans to add more residence halls near the current sorority housing, and possibly in a similar style, but that's unlikely to happen in the next few years (they have already started construction on a new residence hall near the main sets due to a requirement for Fall 2015 that all incoming freshmen who don't live within a certain mile radius have to live on campus). I do not believe the groups are large enough that the chapter space itself is in danger of not being able to hold them—even though quotas have gone up a little, chapter total has not fluctuated much at all (that I can tell).

[ASUADPi]

I would also argue that U of Arizona needs to open for expansion as the chapters quota for the last couple of years has been over 100 new members.

The problem though with UA is that a chapter MUST have a house, which obviously could be problematic for a chapter to come onto campus. Either way though, 100+ new member classes are insane.

[Phigirl04]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I would also argue that U of Arizona needs to open for expansion as the chapters quota for the last couple of years has been over 100 new members.

The problem though with UA is that a chapter MUST have a house, which obviously could be problematic for a chapter to come onto campus. Either way though, 100+ new member classes are insane.

I so want to see Phi Mu back at UA but I know that housing would be a huge concern as I would hazard to guess we sold the house. A large portion of the alum chapter I was a part of in Phoenix was from there and I know they would love to see their chapter back and would support it in anyway they could.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by Phigirl04

I so want to see Phi Mu back at UA but I know that housing would be a huge concern as I would hazard to guess we sold the house. A large portion of the alum chapter I was a part of in Phoenix was from there and I know they would love to see their chapter back and would support it in anyway they could.

I haven't been back to the campus in 4+ years but the last time I was there there where a couple of frat houses that were "available" as the chapters were no longer on campus. I guess a sorority could always "buy" one of the frat houses and fix it up, probably would be cheaper than building one. I'm not even sure where they would build.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I haven't been back to the campus in 4+ years but the last time I was there there where a couple of frat houses that were "available" as the chapters were no longer on campus. I guess a sorority could always "buy" one of the frat houses and fix it up, probably would be cheaper than building one. I'm not even sure where they would build.

Not going to happen.

There is no available land on campus to build. The fraternities are holding tight on their properties. The last two available lots were sold to Sigma Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon, both of whom built very nice facilities last year. With no parking for the occupants.

It's about parking lots, and real estate prices.

An idea that's been bandied about is to buy a property on Park, just off campus, and build a high-rise and sell or lease floors to sororities and fraternities. There are at least three high rises off Park and Speedway now since your last visit to Tucson (ugly monstrosities, ruined the West University neighborhood). The problem is location, location, location. Being competitive at UofA means owning something on 1st or 2nd, between Mountain and Campbell (actually, Cherry for the sororities. AXO has struggled and part of the reason is the location of their house - east of Cherry, almost to Campbell. The PNMs don't like walking that far in the August heat, although they sure beat tracks to the fraternity houses that are around AXO).

It would take a massive culture shift to accept alternative housing. In the meantime, the chapters are (seeingly) just fine with those huge NM classes. We shall see what the tipping point is, and when it comes, I'll be on the sofa with my soda and popcorn.

[KDKells]

Missouri University of Science & Tech ('14 Q=41, '13 Q=23, '12 Q=27, '11 Q=27)

I honestly don't see us opening up for expansion in the next three years. Despite growing numbers and smaller spaces (Zeta had to do big sis reveal in the student union), there aren't enough girls to support a whole other chapter. Total is around 101 and only ChiO doesn't have to COB most likely. This school has just a small proportion of girls, so I see it unlikely to get a fourth NPC group soon. Our only NPHC sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, is dormant now that the only member graduated.

Zeta does want a new house which if they get, I assume it will be built on their current property and that will solve their space issue. But otherwise campus is in a weird position with housing.

The university closed down a hall complex and plans to demo and rebuild, and also to build on another plot of land. But this school is bad at getting buildings started being built, so it will be a couple of years at least until we see progress. Res Life was actually encouraging students to go greek so they'd have a real place to stay and alleviate space issues (in the closed complex one of the halls is up and running and another was reopened at the beginning of the year due to lack of room for students. Students were also placed in a hotel and in rooms in the traditional dorm that were originally study rooms)

Since there is no space on campus, there has been a building boom in town and sophomores on up living off campus. There's not much, if anything, to build on anywhere near campus that would be good for a sorority (all three are within two blocks of campus).