University of Texas colonization

[banditone]

I know there is an SAE that posts here that goes to the University of Texas. Anyone else?

Just curious what your thoughts are about fraternity colonization on that campus. Are the established GLO's open to it? We just had our recent Delta come out (Sigma Nu magazine) and it mentions that July 2008, we are having our national convention in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas.

It seems to me that this is a sign that nationals, as well as the Texas alumni groups are more determined then ever to get our Upsilon chapter back up and running down there (originally established there in 1886). It used to be a monster (before being booted for Hazing).

Thoughts? And thanks a ton beforehand for your input.

[Tom Earp]

As we Alums know, all GLOs want to be on major Campuses!

Un, Tx would be one of course!

From what I hear, it is a tough campus but with a lot of Money Alums in the background.

Many Chapters are having some problems but all want to be there!

If SN is going to try to get back on campus, I just want to wish them and you the best!

[macallan25]

Very difficult for brand new chapters or chapters that re-colonize to compete with the top four fraternities.

[banditone]

How many members do the top 4 houses have?

How many members do the middle/average chapters have?
I looked at a few chapter webpages and they had around 30-50 members in most cases. SAE didn't have a site that I could find. Beta looked like they have a large chapter there.

Sigma Nu Upsilon chapter has 2,055 initiated members at that campus, which is a pretty dang big alumni base.

thnx for the info.

[Kevin]

I think we closed due to numbers though.

At any rate, I suspect that if we do colonize there, the alums have already lined up a lot of money to get the chapter started out right. Also, for what it's worth, our recolonizations at SEC schools have been very successful lately.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by banditone

How many members do the top 4 houses have?

How many members do the middle/average chapters have?
I looked at a few chapter webpages and they had around 30-50 members in most cases. SAE didn't have a site that I could find. Beta looked like they have a large chapter there.

Sigma Nu Upsilon chapter has 2,055 initiated members at that campus, which is a pretty dang big alumni base.

thnx for the info.

I don't think it really matters how many initiated members came from the old Sigma Nu chapters down here. They would struggle coming back on campus. Sorry if that upsets you. Having alumni to provide a good amount of funds would help, but it still would be hard for them to compete during rush with the top 4 or 5 houses. All the top houses have large numbers.

[AnatraAmore]

Just curious, but do you know what the difference in size is between the largest chapter(s) and the middle or smaller chapters?

[SoCalGirl]

Maybe I'm naive but I always thought that fraternities, the HQs, were less concerned with being the top chapter. I figured as long as they were stable, membership and fiscally, then everything was copasetic.

[macallan25]

Well, I never said that being a top chapter was the most important thing........although I can't imagine chapters themselves not wanting that. It's awfuly hard though to be stable fiscally and in membership when you have to compete with 4-6 other chapters for a large majority of rushees.

[banditone]

Thanks for the info. I'm getting some more information on it from a Texas alumni in PM's.

Mac, don't be silly, that doesn't upset me. It's your opinion.

Kevin, that attempt wasn't what they do nowadays. For these old chapters, it's important to have them back. I know these days they even send in national reps to live with the chartering groups (in some cases). I know for a fact our recolonization process is light years ahead of where it was in the past.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by banditone

I know for a fact our recolonization process is light years ahead of where it was in the past.

Oh God yes.. you have no idea

Back in '99, they essentially came to our campus, hooked us up with local alums, did LEAD Phase I, sent us all the free literature we asked for, and wished us luck in meeting several milestones, compiling a petition for charter (the only real guidance there was that they provided us a copy of the petition from the Colorado School of Mines), and recruitment. Not a lot of further advice or support was offered except for annual visits from a consultant.

In '01 or thereabouts, after we'd been spinning our wheels, taking two steps forward and one step back, they came up with VBR, a completely different colonization plan, etc.

We started on that path and finally had our charter granted in '02. We were Rock Honorable Mention last year, so I guess we're doing okay for a new chapter.

At any rate, yes, things are different, we're actually good at putting in successful colonies in. HQ has really broken the code there. Whatever they're doing now is working.

[banditone]

"Rock Honorable Mention last year"

Wow. Yeah, I'd say you guys are doing fine!

[RedRover]

Pray tell, who are the top three or four or five fraternities on the UT campus?

[macallan25]

SAE
FIJI
KA
Sig Ep

[banditone]

How is Beta at UT?