Sorority Expansion

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

So, is this just a guy who wants another sorority on campus? (PKTsaluki)

Telling us we do it wrong.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Telling us we do it wrong.

Is it just me, or do fraternity members, particularly undergrads, love to do that?

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by agzg

Is it just me, or do fraternity members, particularly undergrads, love to do that?

OMG Fiance would do that. No, we do not operate the same way you guys do.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

So, is this just a guy who wants another sorority on campus? (PKTsaluki)

It's funny I read the post and my first thought was "oh, he wants more even mixers"

[PKTsaluki]

Ok to help defend my case that I had made this morning.

Yes I am a Fraternity guy who is very active at SIUC's Greek System.

I understand that at most schools but the university is no where close to where it used to be tag lined as a party school. And I mean no where close to being one since both the town and school are really cracking down on underage drinking and unregistered socials.

But the main purpose as to why I think it would be nice to have more NPC chapter at SIUC is to help our Greek Systems competition scale get better and involve more participation from chapters who do not participate because they do not have a partner. We have 1 big all Greek competition every semester First semester Homecoming, and second semester its the Theta Xi Variety Show. It's always the same three fraternities and the sororities.

Our fraternities get extremely discouraged to participate in any event if they do not get teamed up with a sorority and it makes our Greek community look sad in front of the school when the school is now finally giving more support to us since we have not had any real major incident since 2004. With the school's support I feel that the alumni are going to really want to push to bring in there old chapters after this years homecoming since the alumni association is hosting its first ever all Greek reunion for all active and inactive chapters to come back. Along with the university finally getting around to building us a new Greek Row even though it will eventually effect my chapter more.

And to Drolefille. Our Greek system does not have big issues. Asides from the usual idiots in IFC chapters but that's how it is at every school.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by PKTsaluki

Ok to help defend my case that I had made this morning.

Yes I am a Fraternity guy who is very active at SIUC's Greek System.

I understand that at most schools but the university is no where close to where it used to be tag lined as a party school. And I mean no where close to being one since both the town and school are really cracking down on underage drinking and unregistered socials.

But the main purpose as to why I think it would be nice to have more NPC chapter at SIUC is to help our Greek Systems competition scale get better and involve more participation from chapters who do not participate because they do not have a partner. We have 1 big all Greek competition every semester First semester Homecoming, and second semester its the Theta Xi Variety Show. It's always the same three fraternities and the sororities.

Our fraternities get extremely discouraged to participate in any event if they do not get teamed up with a sorority and it makes our Greek community look sad in front of the school when the school is now finally giving more support to us since we have not had any real major incident since 2004. With the school's support I feel that the alumni are going to really want to push to bring in there old chapters after this years homecoming since the alumni association is hosting its first ever all Greek reunion for all active and inactive chapters to come back. Along with the university finally getting around to building us a new Greek Row even though it will eventually effect my chapter more.

And to Drolefille. Our Greek system does not have big issues. Asides from the usual idiots in IFC chapters but that's how it is at every school.

NPC expands in a very specific way. If the school is not expanding right now, there's likely a reason for it. You don't have to like it or agree with it -- it is what it is.

I doubt adding an additional sorority is going to make non-active fraternity members jump into action. Also, it's unlikely that adding another organization is going to make the general student population take notice and "appreciate" GLOs more.

You should likely focus your energy elsewhere.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PKTsaluki

But the main purpose as to why I think it would be nice to have more NPC chapter at SIUC is to help our Greek Systems competition scale get better and involve more participation from chapters who do not participate because they do not have a partner. We have 1 big all Greek competition every semester First semester Homecoming, and second semester its the Theta Xi Variety Show. It's always the same three fraternities and the sororities.

Our fraternities get extremely discouraged to participate in any event if they do not get teamed up with a sorority and it makes our Greek community look sad in front of the school when the school is now finally giving more support to us since we have not had any real major incident since 2004.

As VP said - pair multiple fraternities with a sorority. The girls will be a hell of a lot happier, trust me. If the fraternities are that much smaller, it won't be a sausage fest. Also, if the sororities are picking the same fraternities all the time, the other guys need to either step up their game or say "screw it" and go watch a Monty Python marathon.

CFF - the Panhel needs to get in touch with their area advisor ASAP to fix the total issues, etc. Does the Greek advisor know what he/she is doing or are they part of the problem?

Is there any way the Greek houses could be duplexed (for lack of a better word) until the new housing gets built? It definitely sounds like that is a big part of the problem.

This is all sadly familiar.

ETA:

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

What are the circumstances regarding all of these chapters? (Not expecting absolute answers, but it's something to think about.)

I just looked at irishpipes' rush thread. Of the cited 5 sorority chapters that have closed, 2 were only open for a minute in the 1970s (many chapters at many schools were only open for a minute in the 1970s) and the other was open for 2 minutes in the 1980s, and I'm guessing was chartered as a sorority appealing to a certain group. Within the past 15 years, they've lost 2 chapters, which really isn't anything outside the norm IMO.

[thetygerlily]

PKTsaluki, the best you can do is find out the rationale behind not expanding and do something about it. No guarantees that anything would actually happen, but at least you can hear it from a better source than GC since we were not involved in the decision. I'm sure there is more to it than having a bad day or week. If it is something the sororities on campus - and Greek Life office - feel strongly about, they will want to do something to make their campus more desirable for expansion. Support from the fraternities on campus would certainly be a factor, albeit not the most critical.

Regarding your point about having a better ratio of fraternities & sororities, I totally hear you. My school had roughly twice as many fraternities as sororities. However, due to multiple factors it is very common to have more fraternities than sororities. NPC and IFC/etc have vastly different approaches to expansion, recruitment, and even programming. Policies also tend to differ quite a bit.

[Drolefille]

^^^ probably requires university access. Most dissertations are available but you need to have a school account (any school account usually).

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

^^^ probably requires university access. Most dissertations are available but you need to have a school account (any school account usually).

A dissertation on the early years of the NPC would be a great read!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Cruise4fun

There are several things:

1. My impression is there is too much apathy on campus. Lots of followers with not enough leaders. When I last visited the PC officers and Gamma Chis thought just putting up fliers was enough to advertise recruitment. Quota was about 18 the semester I joined and increased every year I was there. Plus there were 5 chapters not 3. I remember initation for 28 women my senior year. Total went from 65 to 75 in those years.
2. The houses aren't exactly a step of from dorms. The houses are glorified military barracks. They were orginally built as temporary housing and 50 years later are just being torn down.
3. In the past there hasn't been Panhellenic unity. Pick on the smallest. Problem with that is somebody always has to be on the bottom. I really believe a strong unified Panhellenic makes each individual chapter stronger.
4. Chapters have issues with retention and freshman aren't in any hurry to join. It is well known you can usually join anytime with COB because Total hasn't been adjusted well to work with current interest
5. Three of the biggest fraternities have left since 2000 with risk management issues. One will never be allowed back. Several medium and smaller fraternities have fell off.

Thanks, that was very informative!

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

A dissertation on the early years of the NPC would be a great read!

I can try and browse and see what I can find.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I can try and browse and see what I can find.

Why, thank you!!

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

A dissertation on the early years of the NPC would be a great read!

I second that!

[Cruise4fun]

I am alumnae of SIU. Chapter total is at 70 becuase the current housing situation requires approx. 40 women to live in the house. If chapter total was lower, the organizations would not be able to afford the houses. The new housing that is supposed to be built may be in the 25 range (with some small group townhouses), but plans are still in the works. I went to help with formal recruitment in Fall 2007. Quota was 6. I know numbers have been higher, but there needs to be stability before growth.

In 2009, one organization went under a reorganinztion by their HQ. Around the same time, another organiztion tried to recolonize.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Cruise4fun

I am alumnae of SIU. Chapter total is at 70 becuase the current housing situation requires approx. 40 women to live in the house. If chapter total was lower, the organizations would not be able to afford the houses. The new housing that is supposed to be built may be in the 25 range (with some small group townhouses), but plans are still in the works. I went to help with formal recruitment in Fall 2007. Quota was 6. I know numbers have been higher, but there needs to be stability before growth.

In 2009, one organization went under a reorganinztion by their HQ. Around the same time, another organiztion tried to recolonize.

Thanks, that provides a LOT of insight into the system and sounds like a good reason not to bring another group on for the next year or so.

Is there just not a lot of Greek interest among women at SIUC?