Indiana Recruitment

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I still contend there's room for an alternative to the housed sorority. A distinctly smaller chapter, but available nonetheless. If I were them I would be participating in formal rush, have very directed conversations about what they can actually offer (and not pipe dreams about housing some day) and hope to get 15 or 20 new members. If they could sustain 75 members over time, happy members, I think they could consider themselves a success. Maybe even 50. There are some real positives to be exploited there, but they have to take full advantage of every opportunity they have, and formal rush is the biggest.

I disagree. I think it is too difficult for TPA to get an idea of who is really interested in them, and who is being polite as a fall-back option during FR. If they do all of FR, they could very quickly get the "they take anybody" reputation. I think building something separate is a good idea, at least for a few years.

[DubaiSis]

Not that either of our opinions matter, but what about a compromise? They could do the open house round that's coming up and the 1st round in January and THEN drop out. That will give the girls a second look but alleviate the negatives you've mentioned. I'm sure the IU Greek system is very interested in TPA's success. I'll be interested to hear how they're being promoted by the rho chis throughout the rush process.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

^^^My understanding is NOT that the University isn't ALLOWING more Greek housing, it's just that the space isn't there.

All groups recently invited to colonize there have accepted the invitation on the terms of "you can colonize, but just know that there is no room for you to have housing."

It's also a money issue. Even if there were plenty of lots, it would cost a ton of money to build the kind of facility needed to be competitive (google some of the Indiana sorority houses and you'll see.)

Yes, the space is there and it has to be used for student housing per the Wells plan. However, the university wants all Greek chapters to be on Jordan. There are enough extra lots for this to happen and then some. Here is the kink in the armor, those chapters not on Jordan don't want to be on Jordan. If you look up KKG, Pi Phi, Alpha Phi and Tri Delta. They are located on Third Street and have beautiful houses. They are not going to move anytime soon. Also, the Theta and DG chapters are located in the middle of campus. IU is Theta's Beta chapter, I am sure the house is an historic landmark. Again, both houses are in excellent shape. There are a few fraternity houses in various locations, as well. It seems like the university is holding the some Greeks hostage until the others move.

And you're right about the cost. It would take a couple of million dollars to build a chapter house to compete with the current structures. But, I really think a chapter could succeed if it built a smaller, but nice, house sleeping 50 or so. IU chapters still use bed quota for rush, but some chapters do allow live outs (I believe only 7). If a chapter allows live outs, builds a chapter house with large common areas but only sleeps 50ish, I really think it would appeal to the women who want to live in and to the ones who want to live more independently but yet still be Greek.

[glittergal1985]

Have any other sororities accepted invites to colonize yet? I'm curious how this housing situation will play out when (and if) the rest of the NPC groups do end up colonizing at IU.

[KSUViolet06]

It is a stacked expansion with Theta Phi first, Tri Sigma the next year, and a 3rd whose name escapes me right now.

Of course everything is subject to change.

[33girl]

TPA first, and ASA and SSS have accepted invites to come on first and second.

However accepting the invite in a stacked situation like this does not mean that they'll actually come when it's their time.

[IUHoosiergirl88]

I think that Tri-Sig would be much more successful than TPA will turn out to be, but I could be wrong. Numbers are a MAJOR issue at IU, both for the # of girls that each house can take, and the # of girls going through recruitment. My house used to struggle and now, we're at capacity + liveouts and still being pushed to take more. There really isn't an option anymore for girls who don't receive bids through formal other than TPA, and that's why I feel like they may be setting themselves up for failure. You may have a limited number of girls who like them for them (say, 25), but outside of that, they're going to be competing for girls who didn't get any other houses back. Sometimes that works out, sometimes it doesn't.

[KSUViolet06]

^^^Question re: "no other options for girls who don't get bids":

Doesn't IU have informal on some level after FR? Or am I mistaken? Or are there options, but PNMs just aren't interested in those (after going into FR and falling in love with groups who cut them?)

[IUHoosiergirl88]

It's extremely limited. My chapter used to do informal on a more extensive basis when we were struggling, but we didn't take anyone last year. More chapters snap bid, but only to girls that preffed them or went deep into recruitment with them. It's much more of a 'Oh, you know Suzy and Sarah and Sandy and Amy and Becky and 16 other girls? We'll invite you to informal then" type of situation

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

I think that Tri-Sig would be much more successful than TPA will turn out to be, but I could be wrong. Numbers are a MAJOR issue at IU, both for the # of girls that each house can take, and the # of girls going through recruitment. My house used to struggle and now, we're at capacity + liveouts and still being pushed to take more. There really isn't an option anymore for girls who don't receive bids through formal other than TPA, and that's why I feel like they may be setting themselves up for failure. You may have a limited number of girls who like them for them (say, 25), but outside of that, they're going to be competing for girls who didn't get any other houses back. Sometimes that works out, sometimes it doesn't.

Out of curiosity, why do you think Tri-Sig will be in a better position than TPA? Just because they are coming on second?

[IUHoosiergirl88]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Out of curiosity, why do you think Tri-Sig will be in a better position than TPA? Just because they are coming on second?

Yeah, that's the main reason. I think TPA is kind of the 'test case' and Tri-Sig can learn from them. Also, Tri-Sig is a bit more well known name wise, and of the 3 coming, I would consider them to be the 'biggest'. I believe TPA's biggest chapter is at Nebraska, and they're struggling a bit there from what I've seen.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

It's extremely limited. My chapter used to do informal on a more extensive basis when we were struggling, but we didn't take anyone last year. More chapters snap bid, but only to girls that preffed them or went deep into recruitment with them. It's much more of a 'Oh, you know Suzy and Sarah and Sandy and Amy and Becky and 16 other girls? We'll invite you to informal then" type of situation

Oh. So it's there, but you have to know someone (or several somebodies) to get an invite? I figured it wasn't an openly advertised kind of thing (same with other schools like IU where recruitment is competitive.)

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by IndianaSigKap

And you're right about the cost. It would take a couple of million dollars to build a chapter house to compete with the current structures. But, I really think a chapter could succeed if it built a smaller, but nice, house sleeping 50 or so. IU chapters still use bed quota for rush, but some chapters do allow live outs (I believe only 7). If a chapter allows live outs, builds a chapter house with large common areas but only sleeps 50ish, I really think it would appeal to the women who want to live in and to the ones who want to live more independently but yet still be Greek.

A house that size would cost way more than $2 million! The new sorority houses at Alabama are costing $8 million and up for 60-70. The ones at NCSU are in the $4 million range for 40 live ins. What I wouldn't give for a $2 million house that could house 50 women!

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

Yeah, that's the main reason. I think TPA is kind of the 'test case' and Tri-Sig can learn from them. Also, Tri-Sig is a bit more well known name wise, and of the 3 coming, I would consider them to be the 'biggest'. I believe TPA's biggest chapter is at Nebraska, and they're struggling a bit there from what I've seen.

It may be a tad premature to say that Theta Phi Alpha's Nebraska chapter is struggling. The Mu Chapter was just reinstated this past September 2011.

ETA: I am fairly certain the Nebraska Chapter is not Theta Phi Alpha's biggest chapter.

[glittergal1985]

Originally Posted by TSteven

ETA: I am fairly certain the Nebraska Chapter is not Theta Phi Alpha's biggest chapter.

That is correct,I believe it is actually one of our smallest chapters.