Page 81 - 1930 October - To Dragma

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cgagi

Whither, Cfraternity?

W HITHER, fraternity? What are the designs of the active chapters on the
subject of extension? We have asked ourselves that question again and
again during the few years we have been in sorority work, because under our
present system, you girls of the active* chapters mold our future.

As we have watched one situation after another develop and fall by the way-
side because you couldn't make this group or that, one of us, we have begun to
wonder whether you are thinking along a plan at all. Haven't you been thinking
in one of these veins—"that school is a small college; girls will go there in order
to 'make' our group, and then they'll transfer to our university chapter"; or|
"we are an old chapter, we have a fine position on this campus, we don't want to
be bothered helping a new chapter get established in the next state. We have
girls from there anyway, and they say nobody worthwhile goes there." (Egotists!)
Or, yet: "We are an old chapter, and we have two new chapters on either side of
us now. We just can't be hampered by another new one until these are up to
our standards." And yet again: "Oh, that campus isn't like any one we are on;
girls who go there won't fit in with our girls if they transfer or at conventions."

There you are! Now aren't those the very thoughts you have every time yot|
hear mention of the possible installation of a new chapter. Often you've thought
of them even though you were across the country from the group in question; so
you've cast a negative vote, and we've lost what later became a thriving group
for another sorority. Or you have repeatedly refused to grant a charter "because;
of the school," only to find that years later we've had to enter that school to keep
step with fraternity progress.

Oh, no, the personnel of your present chapter isn't necessarily to blame, bull
active chapters through the years are. Hence this editorial.

Let us look now at some facts. First, all of you want to keep Alpha Omicrofl
Pi in a position to be in competition with N.P.C. fraternities, don't you? Age
does have its advantages, doesn't it, and mainly because it gives one the confidence
of leadership and social precedence. Age means that you have great numbers of
alumnas to help you through your problems. How much better then for us to
install a chapter at once on a campus just open for fraternity expansion than to
wait until everyone else is there, and then go in!

You who wish to be surrounded by strong chapters, harken to this. Isn't it
better to have a fine strong group, directed by you, in a small school than to have
a young group struggling against the age and prestige of many groups on a large
campus?

Read the following survey made in March, 1930, by Olga Achtenhagen, Kappa]
Delta, and augmented by your editor, and you will understand our position in
relation to other N.P.C. fraternities.

INCREASE I N SORORITY No. OF CHAPTERS YEARS SINCS

THREE YEARS 1930 1929 1928 1927 FouNDn«|
87 85 78 77 35
10 Chi Omega 78 75 74 71 63
7 Pi Beta Phi 76 73 71 71 42
66 64 61 60 33
5 Delta Delta Delta 63 57 56 57 59
6 Kappa Delta

6 Kappa Kappa Gamma
(one lost so 7 new ones)