Greek Participation Dropping at Utah

[preciousjeni]

The number of students participating in Greek Row has fallen almost every year for the past 20 years.

The National Panhellenic Conference-the governing body of 26 national sororities-has recommended that U greeks modify their recruiting strategies, but greeks are still hesitant to change.

Last November, in accordance with suggestions from the governing body, the out-going presidents of the sororities voted to change recruitment rules from a fully structured system to a partially structured system.

In a fully structured system, potential members are asked to attend an event every night during the second week of school.

The new approach required less time commitment in order to be more compatible with potential members' schedules.

Then, in January, the new presidents voted to change it back.

(see http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/me...l?mkey=1407447)

[DeltaEtaKP]

Is this deferred or Fall recruitment?

[preciousjeni]

Fall - This year Panhellenic Recruitment is Aug. 27-Sept. 1.

I thought it was really interesting to see the problems that this Greek system is facing.

[DeltaEtaKP]

Maybe the no frills thing would help, but I think it would sort of change the type of people in sororities.
I mean, if they can't make it through recruitment because of time constraints, there is no way that they are going to be a member who really gives back.
I don't know. I think quality is better than quantity. So as long as it doesn't go too low.... I think they should just stick with it.

[Tom Earp]

Actually wonder if the State and State Relegion has anything to do with it?

[33girl]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Actually wonder if the State and State Relegion has anything to do with it?

That's what I was thinking as well - has the Mormon population of the school increased? They do mention that the LDS chapters have gone up in size, but I wonder if you actually have to be LDS to join one.

[Tom Earp]

33girl, HMMM, wonder if that Is LDS is What You Mean?

Oh Yes, I know what You mean and that is a great question!

That was My reference and You did pick up on it!

We Have enough Probs in GLOs with out this Crap!!! It is another World unto itself.

If it wasnt about GLOs wanting to be at Major State Uns. what would We Do with Them?

[TSteven]

Originally posted by 33girl
That's what I was thinking as well - has the Mormon population of the school increased? They do mention that the LDS chapters have gone up in size, but I wonder if you actually have to be LDS to join one.

Me too. I wonder if going on Mission has anything to do with it as well?

An LDS who rushes as a freshman would only have one year as a member before their LDS mission. Then after two years, they return to complete their education. That may very well deter many LDS from joining a non LDS chapter.

[DeltAlum]

We had a colony at Utah that struggled for quite a while. I don't know if it was every chartered.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

I thought the comment at the end from the Sigma Nu was pretty shortsighted. He said that he thought that the students needed to evolve to fit the Greek System rather than the Greek System evolving to fit the students. I would disagree.

If the current system doesn't fit the needs of the students, then you need to make changes to better fit the needs. Or the students are just going to go somewhere else. They have other choices and they are making the one that fits their needs.

It's the whole "survival of the fitest" thing.

I am surprised that they have so many LDS chapters that aren't very big.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
We had a colony at Utah that struggled for quite a while. I don't know if it was every chartered.

It's not on the list on the university website. However, Kappa Sigma is colonizing this Fall so things can't be that bad.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Ok, so I felt like I wanted to learn more. Here's an interesting article from last January.

http://www.utahchronicle.com/media/p...k-835527.shtml

[dznat187]

Originally posted by DeltaEtaKP
Maybe the no frills thing would help, but I think it would sort of change the type of people in sororities.
I mean, if they can't make it through recruitment because of time constraints, there is no way that they are going to be a member who really gives back.
I don't know. I think quality is better than quantity. So as long as it doesn't go too low.... I think they should just stick with it.

I agree that quality is better than quantity, but i feel a no frills recuitment is better. my chapter is trying to recruit members we know are going to be leaders and get stuff done. those tend to be the students who are already involved in campus activities. i am a prime example of this. i was a junior when i joined dz and was already on exec board for the newspaper, radio station and glbt support group. i didnt do formal recruitment and was able to go to the events that i could around my schedule. my issters also took the time to work around my busy schedule for new member ed and i still did everything i needed to. i am now very very involved in my chapte and have been since i was initiated. and now as an alumni, i am keeping up with my involvement. i think with the right students, a less structured recruitment is necessary, but that doesn't mean just partying whenever. and we gotta do something to change because what we are doing as a community is obviously not working and with so much more offered at colleges, we have to work with our potential brothers and sisters.

[mmcat]

ditto and amen
dznat
you've hit it.

[blueangel]

The LDS church had sponsored two fraternities:
Lambda Delta Sigma (note that the letters are LDS!)
Sigma Gamma Chi (Stood for Service to God and Country)

But, five years ago, the church decided to rename them as "Institute Women's Association" (rather than Lambda Delta Sigma) and "Institute Men's Association" (rather than Sigma Gamma Chi.

http://www.mormonstoday.com/000220/N6LDS-SGC01.shtml

And.. this is what they have evolved as:

http://www.ldsces.org/InstituteStudentOrganizations.asp