Post by modorney on Nov 16, 2012 10:34:57 GMT -5
Phi Sigma Kappa is recolonizing Penn.
www.thedp.com/article/2012/11/phi-sigma-kappa-to-rejoin-fraternity-fold
This is interesting for two reasons. One is that PSK is reopening (they closed because of low numbers) in the wake of two other houses closing. The second is the increased interest in Greek Life by the administration.
Of the eight Ivies, only Cornell has a substantial Greek life supported by the college. Cornell likes the alumni support, and also recognizes that its remote location needs some form student life.
Penn is moving up in the pack (of Ivies) in a lot of areas. Philadelphia is looking to redevelop the area around Penn,, and while the geography is not a ghetto (USC), it's not Ithaca or Cambridge, either. Penn is trying to upgrade its academics, particularly in areas outside business and finance. Being in the shadow of Drexel (who has a better engineering school than any Ivy, except for Cornell) and somewhat nearby Princeton, Penn faces challenges. Alumni participation is good - 37 percent - but they want to keep this (and improve?) Look for good things out of Penn.
Acacia has about 40 chapters (and colonies), so I keep an eye on fraternities bigger than us. We're not going to be the next SigEp, but nationals with 50 to 100 chapters provide an example of what we could do with a little more effort.
Both Alpha Sigma Phi and Phi Kappa Tau (around 90 chapters) have ambitious expansion plans. Another one on the radar is Phi Sigma Kappa.
PSK recently revamped its website and put its magazine online.
www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/dbs/signet_2012fall/#/0
They do not have regional governance or an officer in charge of alumni (keys to growth) but that may come.
PSK was the last fraternity merger (with Phi Sigma Epsilon - a teachers college fraternity) and has a strong presence in California (5 chapters).
www.thedp.com/article/2012/11/phi-sigma-kappa-to-rejoin-fraternity-fold
This is interesting for two reasons. One is that PSK is reopening (they closed because of low numbers) in the wake of two other houses closing. The second is the increased interest in Greek Life by the administration.
Of the eight Ivies, only Cornell has a substantial Greek life supported by the college. Cornell likes the alumni support, and also recognizes that its remote location needs some form student life.
Penn is moving up in the pack (of Ivies) in a lot of areas. Philadelphia is looking to redevelop the area around Penn,, and while the geography is not a ghetto (USC), it's not Ithaca or Cambridge, either. Penn is trying to upgrade its academics, particularly in areas outside business and finance. Being in the shadow of Drexel (who has a better engineering school than any Ivy, except for Cornell) and somewhat nearby Princeton, Penn faces challenges. Alumni participation is good - 37 percent - but they want to keep this (and improve?) Look for good things out of Penn.
Acacia has about 40 chapters (and colonies), so I keep an eye on fraternities bigger than us. We're not going to be the next SigEp, but nationals with 50 to 100 chapters provide an example of what we could do with a little more effort.
Both Alpha Sigma Phi and Phi Kappa Tau (around 90 chapters) have ambitious expansion plans. Another one on the radar is Phi Sigma Kappa.
PSK recently revamped its website and put its magazine online.
www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/dbs/signet_2012fall/#/0
They do not have regional governance or an officer in charge of alumni (keys to growth) but that may come.
PSK was the last fraternity merger (with Phi Sigma Epsilon - a teachers college fraternity) and has a strong presence in California (5 chapters).