Alright, so here is my update. I got in touch with my school's student organization people, and they gave me some simple info. I need to go to the office, pick up some more paperwork, fill it out and have three other girls sign it, and then attend an orientation on the 17th I think. Plus I have to either make my own constitution or create a fill in the blank one. None of this is too difficult, and I already have the ball rolling in that department. Plus, I've been talking with lots of girls and I think I'm doing well in terms of enough interested parties. I also spoke with a friend of mine who has been through a similar process, and she gave me some advice regarding my email to NPC. So what follows here is my email to NPC- it's lengthy I know but I really felt it was necessary to include all of the details. If you have criticism don't tell me because I've already emailed it!
If anyone has any further advice please let me know! Ok, this is what I sent, I'll definitely keep you posted as to whether I hear from anyone:
I am writing to express interest in creating a new NPC sorority chapter as well as an NPC member group at my college's campus. I am currently a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Our campus has been traditionally anti-Greek, but times have changed since the school's opening, and Greek life has come into focus more. At the moment, there are several ethnic interest (African American and Asian American) sororities and fraternities, one small local sorority and one small local fraternity that have both expressed little interest in affiliating with a national organization, and one national fraternity (Theta Chi) and one NPC sorority (Gamma Phi Beta).
I participated in Spring 2001 and Fall 2001 rush for Gamma Phi Beta, and each time I observed a significant number of rushees who were not able to become sisters due to chapter limitations. Last spring there were approximately twenty five potential new members for twelve available spaces, and this fall there were approximately fifty potential new members for fifteen available spaces. Considering GPhiB's quota in comparison to the large number of interested participants, I have since become interested in founding a new colony here at U.C. Santa Cruz. I have spoken with several of the girls who were also cut from Gamma Phi, and they are completely in support of this idea. As of right now there are eighteen girls who have expressed extreme interest in being a part of a new sorority on campus- and this is before any kind of publicity or recruitment.
I have considered founding a local sorority and then later approaching NPC to affiliate with a national organization, but deeper thought led me to believe that this would not be the right choice for my campus at this time. Most of the women who are interested in this process are adamant about becoming members of an NPC recognized sorority- we all recognize the benefits and support that are associated with being a chapter of a strong, previously established organization. Beyond this, we have observed the lack of interest that potential new members have in the local sorority on campus. If an extension is not an option, we will definitely consider forming a local organization with the quick intent to affiliate.
I have already spoken with my school's Student Organization Advising and Resource office, and I am securing the process of creating a new student organization. I have the necessary members, the paperwork is filled out, and our constitution is in the process of being completed. We wanted to wait until we knew the standing of this possible new chapter on campus before completing a constitution which would possibly (hopefully) need to be changed in the near future. In addition to this, we have acquired the necessary paperwork for funding, and have planned several additional fund raisers should this become an option. Besides our desire to create an NPC extension, we are also interested in establishing a Panhellenic organization on campus. In previous years there was an Inter-Sorority Council, but they are not registered as an organization this year, thus they could not offer much help.
I would like to once more reiterate my absolute interest and enthusiasm for this idea. U.C. Santa Cruz is a strong campus that has formerly been somewhat excluded from the social life of the other U.C. schools, but this is rapidly changing. Stricter admission standards at U.C. Santa Barbara, U.C. Los Angeles, U.C. Davis, and U.C. San Diego mean that many students unlike the "typical" U.C.S.C. student have been filtering in. Each year the number of potential new members interested in Greek letter organizations is increasing, however, quota for Gamma Phi Beta is increasing at a significantly slower pace. I have absolute confidence in the ability of myself and my interested peers to create and maintain a thriving, impressive chapter.
I sincerely hope that this email has enabled all concerned parties to reach the same conclusion that I have- that establishing a chapter of a National Panhellenic Organization on the campus of U.C. Santa Cruz will not only be beneficial to the many interested potential new members, but also to the existing international sorority on campus (Gamma Phi Beta would benefit from a stronger Panhellenic/ Inter-Sorority organization on campus, a smoother joint rush effort each quarter, less stress regarding high numbers of women to cut in each rush, and a more positive and accepting Greek image on a formerly hostile campus), and finally, to whichever NPC affiliated organization was found to associate best with us. Please feel free to get in contact with me in whichever way is most convenient, as soon as time allows:
So I know it's long but do you all think I made my points well? I'm nervous, practically like rush all over again! Thanks for the help!
-Corina
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