numbers

Bad Economic Times. Plus Sorority Dues on some of the newly built sorority houses are going to be higher than in previous years. Hopefully it will turn around in the next couple of years.

Over 50% of UA is from out of state more so full paying northern girls... We have realized we don't need to have a sorority to have a great college experience. And paying thousssssaannds of dollarss to not be accepted in all the sororities. It's not worth the time, effort or money. We would rather use our time in other areas. You can continue to have your clubs with the same girls that were in clubs together in high school. I was going to rush but now, no thanks!

This site has probably played at least a small part in numbers being lower than usual. Hate to say it, but Alabama presents on here as a Greek system some people would want no part of. Rude, catty, condescending, snotty, petty, shallow, middle school mentality and downright vicious are a few impressions being given. The shame is that most members of Bama's Greek system are nothing like that. Any PNMs considering not rushing because of what you see on this site, please re-think it. Remember, too, this site is trolled by people who aren't even Greek. They give the wrong impression and intentionally put incorrect info out here. I don't know, maybe they tried to be Greek and it didn't work out, so they're bitter. Maybe they just don't understand it and have decided to hate it.

Whatever, info on this site has probably turned some people off to Alabama's Greek Life. Also, lots of OOS at Bama, and these rumors about only in-state or southern girls getting bids has spread like wildfire. That is also a shame because the TRUTH is that a whole lot of OOS from all over the nation pledge at Bama and that includes all houses.

As for people naming names out here: if you happen to be other PNMs trying to wreck someone's recruitment, you know what they say about karma. People will figure out during recruitment who you are. People like you give yourselves away. I won't say how because I hope you're exposed. You don't deserve to wear the letters of any sorority.

I hope this site has not discouraged anyone. It stands to reason some people might read this site and change their mind, but most intelligent people see this site as a place without facts and only a matter of opinion. If anything, it does show the competitiveness and lack of unity. But it is named Greek RANK and designed that way.

The economy plays the biggest part in it. Secondly, each incoming class is different than the one before. Being Greek is definitely a luxury item based on the expense alone.

My two cents.

I won't disagree that football has a little to do with people wanting to come here, but don't forget all the other sports that have won national championships. If your goal is to be the best, then you will recruit the best. that is what I think the university is trying to achieve in all areas, especially in academics.

Let's face it, that is not going to happen if we only promote from within our state. Alabama just can't provide those numbers.

If the student population is going to continue to go up, so will diversity. You can dig your heels in with tradition or get on board with the change. That includes Greek life.

I dont have much to say to "My Two Cents" , you are from Alabama and have every right to feel this way. You probably have an image of Alabama greek life, and want it to stay that way. You will marry a fraternity boy, raise kids, vacation is Destin or Orange beach and wait for your kids to go to Alabama so you can re live that amazing time.
Alabama realized its need to improve its academics in order to maintain its relevence. And after a downturn in football (which eventually will happen) it needs to be excellent in other areas in order to be able to compete. That is why they have offered excellent packages to out of state students (especially the "Northern") states.
I live in a state where our state university is considered one of the best in the country. I chose not to go there because I wanted a new experience.I wanted warm weather and new people.
I originally was going to go through recruitment. I went to Preview weekend, was invited back to spring parties(where I learned about this site), and got a rec for every sorority. As the time got closer, I had to really think if this is how I wanted to spend 4 years. I also, have chosen not to.
This site is horrible, no doubt. I went on it hoping to get a glimpse of the personality of each sorority. I realize every sorority has good, bad, smart, dumb, partiers, nerds but with that said they probably each have a distinct personality.
What I have seen is middle school and high school drama at ts worst. No thanks.

One of the ole biddies on GreekChat is saying that registration was up to 1,800 earlier this week.

I don't think they were trying to be condescending towards Alabama. It is a small state geographically, population and economically. In order to support a major university and continue to thrive in other areas it has to draw from other areas. There is no debate that northern schools tend to have stronger academics. It is published fact that Alabama used to have ACT scores of 15/16 as the norm. This is a great thing and everyone in our state should embrace that, and be happy that we will have an amazing university both athletically and academically to send our kids.

This website does portray the worst that greek life has to offer. And everyone on it should spend their energy writing COMPLIMENTS about every sorority and genuinely answering PNMs questions. We were all there at one point and it does have to be overwhelming to OOS girls. This isn't the site for them to be on, but since there isn't an alternative, this is what they find when the search "Alabama greek".

We should want to welcome the OOS girls (including Northern). If we want to continue to be a flourishing system, but these numbers say something other that just the economy is down because that isn't necessarily true.

Rather than shutting off what they are trying to say as an insult, maybe we all need to listen and try to be more accepting so we can continue to grow. These numbers should be worrisome. W know what the dropout percentage is. How are we going to continue to support these new houses/renos?

It topped 1,900 this weekend.
It's tracking as expected.
OOS is higher, though, and instate is lower.
But numbers are pretty much same as last year. Might have a few more - 20 or 30.

....is a great way for oos girls to get involved and make friends. I can see why they would want to rush and GO GREEK. Yay for the numbers continuing to rise.