Question about a Chapter?

[honeychile]

Originally posted by vandy_violet
I was looking at the chapter list and I noticed that a lot of the chapters that went inactive did so in the '70's-'80's. Is there a specific reason for this trend, like a general decline in sororities at the time? Did sororities in general lose chapters during certain times? It's kind of a bummer to see we've lost chapters at some big schools, too-does anyone know which chapter was the last to be recolonized? It would be awesome to recolonize at SMU eventually, and LSU.

Yes, a lot of sororities and chapters closed during that time. A lot of others recolonized and managed to keep their doors open.

Alpha Iota, who Beth Hamilton referred to as "the little chapter that could", recolonized at least once (I think they also reorganized), then two years ago came back with only 12 sisters. NOW, they're only 5 from Total - and I hear that they have their eye on who they want!

[adpiucf]

Alpha Zeta chapter of ADPi at SMU is indeed closed. I know two women who were there when the chapter closed, both of whom have been a huge asset to our local LA chapters and the alumnae association!

A chapter closing is an unfortunate thing, but ADPi enjoyed great success in its heyday at SMU and our current Grand President is an alumna of Alpha Zeta chapter!

Let's remember that in spite of chapter closings, there are opportunities in future for rechartering, for new chapter colonies, for alumnae initiates and so many many ways to spread the "Pi Love" across North America!

Happy Holidays to my sisters and friends!

ADPiUCF

[polarpi]

Originally posted by vandy_violet
...does anyone know which chapter was the last to be recolonized? It would be awesome to recolonize at SMU eventually, and LSU.

To my knowledge, the last ADPi chapter to recolonize (recharter?) was the Gamma Beta chapter at Northwestern University (some of my chapter sisters went to help with their first recruitment for their recolonization).

[texas*princess]

Originally posted by vandy_violet
I was looking at the chapter list and I noticed that a lot of the chapters that went inactive did so in the '70's-'80's. Is there a specific reason for this trend, like a general decline in sororities at the time? Did sororities in general lose chapters during certain times?

That's pretty interesting. I was reading in "Sisters" that at my first university there used to be a chapter (at Texas A&M - Kingsville which was formerly Texas A&I) that chartered in the late 50's and closed in the late 70's. Supposedly greek life on that campus used to be a huge deal, and there were chapters of a lot of "big" sororities there.

In the late 70's though, the school suffered from low enrollment, and that (for whatever reason ) made the school shut down greek life completely.

There have been a string of locals since then, and just recently (1-2 years ago) they are getting NPCs back on that campus. It's a small school, but really nice!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by texas*princess
That's pretty interesting. I was reading in "Sisters" that at my first university there used to be a chapter (at Texas A&M - Kingsville which was formerly Texas A&I) that chartered in the late 50's and closed in the late 70's. Supposedly greek life on that campus used to be a huge deal, and there were chapters of a lot of "big" sororities there.

In the late 70's though, the school suffered from low enrollment, and that (for whatever reason ) made the school shut down greek life completely.

There have been a string of locals since then, and just recently (1-2 years ago) they are getting NPCs back on that campus. It's a small school, but really nice!

Wouldn't it be nice to see an ADPi chapter come back?? I just LOVE it when a closed chapter makes a strong comeback!!

You hear about this sorority or that one who has had 300-400 chapters, but a vast majority of them are closed! I'd rather see a chapter ressurected than searching for "new territory"!

What an interesting line of discussion for me to come into!!! I live about thirty minutes from TAMU Kingsville (close to Corpus Christi, Texas) and know that there is a DPhiE chapter and one other small NPC org on the campus now. I just joined the Corpus Christi alumnae association a few months ago and I think it would be a great project for us to undertake. The southern most chapter in Texas is currently in San Marcos (Texas State University). I would love to have a chapter in Kingsville. As soon as I have been out for 3 or however many years necessary, I want to be an advisor!!!!

Ok I did some more research, there is a Theta Phi ALpha and an Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter as well as two locals. There is also a Lambda Chi Alpha and a Sigma Chi chapter as well as two local frats. I wonder if they are looking into expansion/recolinization?? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[texas*princess]

As far as I know concerning sororities @ TAMUK, Theta Phi Alpha just chartered there I think about a year ago. Delta Phi Epsilon is still a colony, but I heard they are hoping to charter soon (some of my best friends @ TAMUK are DPhiEs there !!! ), there is also Kappa Delta Chi which is a multicultural national sorority (although I am unsure if they are a colony or a chapter), Alpha Kappa Alpha, and one remaining local sorority that is looking to go national. I wouldn't want to go into too much details about the local because this is a public board and all, but if you have questions, feel free to pm me b/c I had some not so good experiences concerning that local group while I was on that campus.

From what I've heard from friends that still attend school there, greek life is in fact catching on, but it is happening really slowly. I think total is still set at 35, and from what I understand all the groups are still having trouble getting and staying there. It is a tough campus to be greek on because it's a MAJOR commuter school. When I went to school there I tried to be as involved as possible, but most students don't care about extra-curriculars... they just want to take their classes and leave.... basically a 'drive-thru education' type sentiment.

The fraternities are having better luck with recruitment from what I hear because the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter there went from having 20 members to having pledge classes of 20 in just the couple of years I've been gone, so I think that's really cool.

[kateshort]

Originally posted by polarpi
kateshort is the webmaster for the Eta Psi chapter at Valpo, and does an outstanding job of keeping a current list of chapters updated on the website...you can go here:
Eta Psi's Website
Look for the List of All Chapters once you get past the splash page

*blush* thanks! It's actually about 9 months out of date, but I hope to finish re-checking all the sites people have mailed me and posted here by... the end of January, most likely.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by kateshort
*blush* thanks! It's actually about 9 months out of date, but I hope to finish re-checking all the sites people have mailed me and posted here by... the end of January, most likely.

Kate, your list is the best source I've found (granted, I haven't looked too much further, but I've used it often for reference to see other chapter's websites!)