Recolonization

[shadokat]

Ok, this may sound like something I should already know, but what exactly goes into recolonization? What do you do with a group that has extremely low numbers, who are doing a crappy job of running the show in their group, when you recolonize? Do they all have to leave before recolonization can take place? And what happens when you recolonize? Can old members rejoin the chapter? I know this is a lot of questions in one post, but I'd love to know this

Thanks in advance for your answers

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Delta Phi Epsilon, Celebrating 84 years of Dedication, Pride and Excellence!

[LexiKD]

I would assume the group would have to be off the campus for an amount of time before it is "recolonized". My chapter was a recolonization, but we had been gone for 20 years. BUT I think I have heard of it happening to a group while they were presently on campus too. It may depend on the National Organization's rules and regulations.
It sounds to me like the group is in deperate need of National attention. I am sure recruitment/PR help is available through consultants or National Officers if the group cared enough to contact the correct National director or even local alumnae,some type of re-vamping program would be implemented. Also I'm sure the Panhellenic has a chapter assistance policy or something they could look into.
Anyway, that's all a bunch of guesses, I hope the group can recover!

[DeltAlum]

I'm not sure there is a real answer to this question.

We have recolonized chapters in as little as two years. In other instances, we have waited until everyone was gone from the chapter.

I suspect it depends on several things: First, the reason for closing the chapter in the first place, and second, a strong interest group on the campus willing to do the work of recolonization. Third, a strong, supportive local alumni group.

I guess another factor (again, I suppose this depends on the reason for closing) is that the college or university is willing to accept recolonization.

Recolonization should be very carefully considered and never taken lightly.

We have had at least one very unfortunate experience where we recolonized a very prestigeous, old line chapter at a large well known university twice. Apparantely, either we, or the new Chapter members weren't carefull enough about who we selected. When we closed the chapter for the third time, I think that was pretty much the death knell for Delt on that campus. We sold the shelter to the University. It is a huge beautiful facility with a great location just across from the main campus green that local alumni had put well over a million dollars into refurbishing. It was trashed within six months.

It is really sad to walk by and see the letters set in stone above the door and in iron in the front sidewalk and know that Delt brothers will never again live there -- and probably never exist as a chapter on that campus again.

It is also maddening to think that these men screwed up such a great thing. Allegedly, this chapter was the incarnation of all the bad stereotypes of Fraternities. They were big men on campus, but heavily into alcohol, drugs, (probably hazing, although I don't know that for sure) -- real party guys.

Well, we don't and won't put up with that kind of crap. So the chapter is gone, probably forever. What a shame.

I would probably be Division Vice President for that chapter if it still existed, so now you may understand why I have little compassion for what I consider stupidity and general a$$holery, and why I write with such passion in other threads about hazing, alcohol abuse and chapter liability.

I'm putting my soapbox away now. But I reserve the right to get it out again on short notice.

Fraternally,
DeltAlum

[33girl]

shadokat -

I'm emailing you.

[LXAAlum]

DeltAlum is right...it depends on the circumstances that the chapter originally closed.

I've worked with two chapters of LXA...one was closed for a minimum of 5 years, and "when campus conditions warrant the return"...in reality, it took 11 years for the recolonization to proceed.

In another instance, the chapter that was recently closed made arrangements with the campus to begin recolonization in 4 years...during the interim, the campus is leasing the house.

Whatever the conditions...my experience has taught me valuable lessons in recolonizing...first, be patient, second, communicate with the campus and GLO frequently, third, be ready to work extremly hard when the time comes to recolonize, and fourth, get a strong alumni base in place for the process to be successful.

[shadokat]

Thanks for the help. I hope to find out more of the logistics of recolonization

[coffeemug]

Hello. In the recolonizations I have been involved with were driven on the national level. They take a lot of time, money, and strategic planning to go right.

You need to have people who understand recruitment, can analyze the campus, provide on sight support. It is a good two year commitment just to know how viable a group is.

You need to start looking at the campus. Why is the current group failing? Is their really room for imporvement? Are enough women going through rush for every group to take quota?

Just some things to think about!