Page 68 - To Dragma May 1930

MAY, 1930 65

plished more in comparison w i t h their size. X i after several moves and considerable
uncertainty as to the best means of solving its house problem has at last achieved
its ultimate goal, a house of its o w n . Its members are justly proud of their pos-
session. Under an able president, the University of Oklahoma is extending and
improving its campus and X i chapter w i t h adequate quarters is in a position to
continue its growth of the past year and take its honorable place among the
older groups on the campus.

I f the large university brings responsibility for firm chapter standards the city
university presents other problems. College spirit is apt to be weak, chapter
solidarity difficult to achieve and college politics are apt to thrive to the detriment
of college welfare. These are the conditions which N u Kappa is obliged to face,
though i t Was difficult to realize that there could be any problems in such a
beautiful city as Dallas in which spring was visible in a prodigality of red bud, f o r -
sythia, jonquils and other blossoms, nor was i t easy to proffer criticism in such an
atmosphere of personal and chapter hospitality and friendliness. Nevertheless there
is a problem which N u Kappa and other city chapters must meet. The answer
seems to lie in a definite plan for getting together regularly, preferably for i n -
formal meals, and in a definite object, f o r instance improvement in college social
and political conditions or a philanthropic project or both. N u Kappa has a room
in a private house f o r its meetings and sometime may achieve an apartment of
its own where i t can carry on its chapter life more freely. Dallas Alumna; are i n -
terested and active in local philanthropic work and in support of the national fund.
They are contributing much to the social and intellectual life of the city, and some
of their members have played a prominent part in the development of the Little
Theater movement. I t was my good fortune to attend a performance in its most
attractive new building which has become the chief center of dramatic interest in the
city. The Dallas Little Theater w o n the Belasco cup three times in succession in
the contest for one act plays and we hope they may be represented in the coming
contest for three act original plays in M a y .

New Orleans, city of flowers and romance, was cold and mist shrouded on
my arrival, but azaleas bloomed and birds sang before the visit was over. P i
chapter has much the same problems as N u Kappa, scattered interests and little
opportunity for college companionship. They have recently acquired a new room
and enjoy Sunday night suppers together. The high spot of the year is the spring
house party at Bay Saint Louis where all the chapter members eat together and
play together and discover the joys of congenial group life. Speaking of the Bay,
I too ran away f o r a clay's vacation there w i t h one of our past Grand Presidents,
Katrina MacDonald, and her delightful family, a most beautiful day of flowers and
sunshine, of sparkling blue water and congenial members of Alpha Omicron Pi,
not to mention small boys and a perfect three months old baby. New Orleans
Alumna; chapter, like Pi, is one of the oldest groups and it has a strong sense
of its obligation to perform a useful service. I t s philanthropic work has been
highly developed and strongly established. Three separate clinics have been
equipped and are being maintained by the chapter as memorials to deceased mem-
bers. Maintenance means the keeping in order of the equipment furnished each
clinic; painting, renovating and renewing when necessary. Volunteers f r o m the
chapter also take care of the clerical work of each unit. The work is done under
the Child Welfare Bureau which runs the clinics and a substantial sum is saved
[*w organization by the contributions of money and labor.

Memphis is an old southern t o w n grown into a business city, but retaining its
traditions and its social standards. Gardens and homes and a culture long estab-
lished, w i t h a church life to give stability and aspiration make it a very pleasant
Place to be. Kappa Omicron has never had a large chapter, nor is Southwestern
a large university, but its situation is ideal on the edge of the city w i t h an ex-
tensive woodsy park as a perpetual f r o n t dooryard. The lodges which are built on
college ground and which are required to conform in style and material w i t h college
buildings are most attractive and at the same time not too heavy a burden finan-
cially for the chapters which occupy them. Consequently they are thoroughly
enjoyed. I n fact since conditions are so pleasant in Southwestern and fraternity