Tiers of the Big 12

[BigRedBeta]

As for the UT comment - from the people I've talked to, whom I have every reason to believe at their word, the percentage of Greeks has remained pretty constant over the past 15 years. However, the numbers for multi-cultural groups and co-ed organizations now make up between 1/3 and a 1/2 of that same stable % - much, much, much higher than they were 15 years ago. While there are certainly strengths and benefits to having these groups on campus, the related decrease in IFC/NPC organization numbers = stagnant system that's losing ground it once held over other universities.


Fayetteville is within 500 miles of both Ames and Lincoln at distances of 460 and 429 miles respectively.

[Blue Skies]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

Third Tier:
CU - There's a reason why the Pac-10 has been rumored to secretly wish CU would join their conference - definitely more of a west coast hippie/surfer vibe than any thing else. I respect that their IFC has gone it alone without University recognition, but that's not a very good position to be in.

BigRedBeta, as a Boulder alum, I have to chuckle at your characterization of CU as having a "west coast hippie/surfer vibe". So true! I had never considered that we might be a better fit in the Pac-10, but you might be right about that. Arizona and Arizona State have always been favorite destinations for Coloradans who want to go to school out of state. And of course, many Californians head to Boulder for their college years.

Tom, there are no chapters of LXA, SX, KA, nor BTP at Colorado. I think my brother's GLO, DTD, used to be there many years ago, but no more. The fraternites separated from the University over the question of deferred rush (the sororites decided to play ball, but their numbers have suffered accordingly, although picking up to some degree more recently, I believe.)

IMO the University clamped down after the unfortunate death of the pledge during initiation at the Chi Psi house in 2004. One such incident can have repercussions that last for years, cancelling out the many, many positive contributions of the Greek community there.

[bellwisdom]

As a KSU greek, I feel we have a pretty strong greek system.

Since 1980 K-State's Interfraternity and Panhellenic Executive Councils have won 12 and 11 top honors (respectively) at the Mid-American Greek Council Association (MGCA) annual meeting, which hosted councils from 29 states in 2008:
Jellison Award for Overall Programming Excellence (top honor)
Won by Interfraternity Council at the Mid-American Interfraternity Council Association (MIFCA) conference in 1980 and 1982, and at the Mid-American Greek Council Association (MGCA) conference in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Sutherland Award for Overall Programming Excellence (top honor)
Won by Panhellenic Council at the Mid-American Panhellenic Council Association (MAPCA) conference in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1993, and 1994, and at the Mid-American Greek Council Association (MGCA) conference in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2008.
Chapter and individual awards
Several of K-State's fraternity and sorority chapters have also garnered top honors at the national level over the last six years. These include Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Sigma Phi, FarmHouse, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Theta, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Pi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Triangle.
Individual fraternity and sorority members also continue to win awards and scholarships for their service to the university and to their national organizations.

I've been to KU and NEB, they are ok. I've only heard stories about ISU, CU, and both Oklahoma schools.

[Kitemom]

A big reason GLO have changed at Texas is you MUST be in the top 10% of your HS graduation class to get in. This happened several years ago when they did away with affirmative action. It has been sucessful and the population have the school has followed suit. So needless to say everyone who goes through rush has good grades. People can get into UT by a CAB program when they are soph. You must go to a UT A,SA,EP, etc and if you make grades are guarenteed admission. Many friends who are UT alumni kids have no chance of going to school there. Its sad and changing the face of the school. Sororities havemore people affilated there etc. DOn't know about fraternities.

[bowsandtoes]

While a majority of people were in the top 10% its not a requirement. I was barely in the top 50% but I went to a private school.

[macallan25]

I haven't noticed our numbers decreasing in our greek system. I'm also an old balls and don't come around that much, but it doesn't seem like any are smaller than they used to be. Seems like most of the houses I keep in contact with are going pretty steady.

[banditone]

I've been to the following Big 12 schools.

Baylor
KU
Nebraska
Oklahoma State
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Texas


I like the Oklahoma schools for the average size of the fraternities. You can tell that greek life is important when you have monster houses and more then just a couple large chapters.

Texas, I don't have much experience here so I'll reserve judgement.

A&M and Baylor

Nebraska is pretty badass in my opinion. Nice houses, and pretty big chapters.

KU has a lot of history. Can't tell you much as it was a while ago, but I had a blast in Lawrence, the houses were ginormous.

[aggieAXO]

In A&M's defense (and yes even Baylor) greek life is still pretty new. I started school in 90 and greeks were just being recognized by the university at this time.

[UTLonghorn2012]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I'm hoping that we stay in the SEC (obviously), but start playing more regional games. Which we already are...suppose to be playing Texas (though I heard it got cancelled?) and then starting '09 we play A&M at the new Cowboys stadium. I'd love to see a game against OU, OSU. With as many people from the Tulsa area as we got, would be great.

As far as I know we are still playing Arkansas in Austin in September.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by UTLonghorn2012

As far as I know we are still playing Arkansas in Austin in September.

K. I heard a rumor that it was cancelled. I will be in Austin for that one, I think.

[BigRedBeta]

Nebraska has a lot going for it. However it's certainly lost the party atmosphere it had in the 90's, and a lot of the issues with risk management, hazing/alcohol injuries (and deaths), awful grades, and the like hit chapters there a lot earlier than it did a lot of places.

This has resulted in a lot of positive aspects, but also things that when these sorts of debates crop up, people say Nebraska isn't "fratty" enough because they don't haze, they don't party in their houses, and most of the chapters have a decent relationship with their national organization and the campus administration (many of whom are Greek). The whole "just because a chapter wins awards doesn't mean they're a good chapter" argument could easily be leveled at Nebraska (and K-state), because many of the chapters are winning a lot of awards within their organizations.
There was one two-year period while I was in undergrad (I think it was 2002 and 2003), 9 - maybe even 10 or 11 chapters - counting both fraternities and sororities - won their organization's top chapter award at their annual or biennial convention. If this doesn't impress you, than you're going to say Nebraska isn't that good. If winning those awards means something to you, then you'll place Nebraska higher than some other schools on the list.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

This has resulted in a lot of positive aspects, but also things that when these sorts of debates crop up, people say Nebraska isn't "fratty" enough because they don't haze, they don't party in their houses, and most of the chapters have a decent relationship with their national organization and the campus administration (many of whom are Greek).

No, not being fratty enough would be because Nebraska isn't in the South.

Haha.

[banditone]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

K. I heard a rumor that it was cancelled. I will be in Austin for that one, I think.

Arkansas is still heading to Austin this coming year; I'll be there for sures.

The game that was cancelled was the return visit to Fayetteville. Apparently Arkansas bought out of that game, and replaced the Horns with Tulsa (I think it was Tulsa)

[banditone]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

Nebraska has a lot going for it. However it's certainly lost the party atmosphere it had in the 90's, and a lot of the issues with risk management, hazing/alcohol injuries (and deaths), awful grades, and the like hit chapters there a lot earlier than it did a lot of places.

This has resulted in a lot of positive aspects, but also things that when these sorts of debates crop up, people say Nebraska isn't "fratty" enough because they don't haze, they don't party in their houses, and most of the chapters have a decent relationship with their national organization and the campus administration (many of whom are Greek). The whole "just because a chapter wins awards doesn't mean they're a good chapter" argument could easily be leveled at Nebraska (and K-state), because many of the chapters are winning a lot of awards within their organizations.
There was one two-year period while I was in undergrad (I think it was 2002 and 2003), 9 - maybe even 10 or 11 chapters - counting both fraternities and sororities - won their organization's top chapter award at their annual or biennial convention. If this doesn't impress you, than you're going to say Nebraska isn't that good. If winning those awards means something to you, then you'll place Nebraska higher than some other schools on the list.

I'm impressed.

[Tom Earp]

I wonder if being Fraty=hazing?

If that is the case, that would make me wonder about joining.

I would not care for some snot nosed kid beating my rear, making me over drink, do push ups over any type of glass, puke or crap.

If this is your Organization, I hope the chapter gets yanked!