pros and cons of colonization
by: PNMI'm a 3rd year considering ZTA. What are the pros and cons of colonization? If there are any GPhiB's on here, I'd really love to hear from you!
#1 by: ZTA
Well one pro for you as a 3rd year is that you will be immediately cut from most houses (absolutely nothing personal, it's just hard justifying giving a spot to a Juniors over a Freshman who would stay longer). However, I'd still recommend going through rush to at least get a feel for it.
Colonization will be a lot of work, and you will be less 'free' so to speak because your headquarters will be constantly monitoring you. Which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I also like being in my house versus a colony because there is a lengthy history of alums there, whereas as a colony, you're basically starting from scratch. However, if you don't like any of the other sororities already established here, starting from scratch may be a good thing for you. Another thing is that there will be a lot of attention on your chapter, which again could be good or bad. In general, colonies tend to be filled with a lot of different types of people, which can cause discord and cliques. This worked out for GPhi, but may not work for ZTA, especially if it is going to be filled with Kappa babies and girls who got cut from a lot of houses. So that's something to consider as well. These are all just my opinions though, different people with have others.
Basically, it depends on your personality and what's important to you. I want ZTA to colonize well since it strengthens our Panhellenic as a whole, so if you're up for the challenge, go for it. Best of luck!
Commentby: TrueJan 7, 2016 2:55:47 PM
The biggest advantage to starting a new house is that it will be from scratch and a lot of people will be forgiving to your reputation because you are new. However, you will be right under ZTA nationals noses not just for the first semester, but for the first few years. You are probably 21 by now so it may not apply to you personally, but it would be much easier for a colony chapter to get in trouble for things that every chapter does such as underage drinking and underground socials
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by: HiJan 7, 2016 3:56:43 PM
I know that there were a few other colony chapters at other schools the past few years! Like gphi is new to OU this year and I think phi mu went to UC in the last year or two as well! If you know anyone in these chapters or in the Greek system at those schools try to reach out to them and see how their experience has been. Or gphi here
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#2 by: 6 of one half-dozen..
One thing you might also think about is if you decline a bid or drop out of FR, there is no guarantee you will get a bid from ZTA. Zeta might decide not to take any juniors or seniors (or doesn't give you a bid) and you might end up shooting yourself in the foot.
Sure, they will probably take juniors and seniors but you don't know you will be one.
by: ifJan 7, 2016 1:55:30 PM
If this happens, then your best bet might be informal spring recruitment. Some (usually lower-tier tbh) sororities accept a few girls after they reset total, and total will definitely go up after recruitment. They'd rather fill the spot with you than just leave it open generally and it's less people they'd have to take in the fall.
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#3 by: OP
Thanks, everyone!
I do plan on doing FR even though I know I will take heavy cuts. As some have pointed out, I'm mainly hesitant about ZTA because of the potential of Kappa babies and the drama that may bring. I really just care about the sisterhood aspect, so I don't want to be in a super cliquey chapter. Speaking of age, I actually won't be 21 until summer, so underage drinking could be a concern, but that wouldn't stop me from going through ZTA's process.
by: GpaJan 8, 2016 9:11:07 PM
To junior who rushed, would you mind saying what your Gpa was? I'm in a similar position and I'm really worried that my Gpa will get me cut even though I've done well in my majors courses and switched out of pre-med
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by: Re OPJan 9, 2016 2:37:42 PM
Sounds at least like you have a good mentality going into recruitment.
I guess my advice is if you don't feel comfortable at any of the other houses and/or are willing to put in a lot of work into establishing a colony, go for ZTA. But otherwise, I'm sure you'll do well as a Junior in other houses.
Good luck!
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by: ZTAJan 7, 2016 10:20:35 AM
I would say go for it if you want to! As a third year it's definitely harder to get a bid to an established chapter. Colonization is a lot of work, but you have opportunities for leadership right away. I know a few Gamma Phi's, I honestly think starting a chapter from scratch gave them a very diverse, down to earth chapter, which would also be the case for ZTA. You also get the "recruitment reject" stereotype (which gamma phi did have their first year). It's also a concern with ZTA that they might take some of KKG's pledge class - it could create some drama, who knows? All and all, I think Gamma Phi has become a decent chapter, and I think ZTA will do just fine as well.
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