Expansion Plan Update
by John Holloway • May 2008 • 8 Comments •
In the April 2007 Cross & Crescent, we reported that one of Lambda Chi Alpha’s fundamental precepts is growth.
Current Expansion Schedule
On the current schedule, the Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters has the following chapters listed as Campuses in Queue and Campuses in Consideration.
Campuses in Queue
Lake Forest College (Colony)
- New colonization
- Located in Lake Forest, Illinois
- Target: Fall 2008
Wisconsin–Whitewater (Lambda-Iota)
- Chartered in 1965
- Dormant since 2005
- 932 total brothers initiated
- Target: Fall 2008
California-Los Angeles (Epsilon-Sigma)
- Chartered in 1930
- Dormant since 2000
- 1396 total brothers initiated
- Target: Spring 2009
California-Santa Barbara (Zeta-Eta)
- Chartered in 1949
- Dormant since 2004
- 1,304 total brothers initiated
- Target: Spring 2009
North Carolina State (Gamma-Upsilon)
- Chartered in 1924
- Dormant since 1998
- 1,186 total brothers initiated
- Located in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Target: Spring 2009
California-Berkeley (Mu)
- Chartered in 1913
- Dormant since 2006
- 1329 total brothers initiated
- Target: Fall 2009
Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)
- Chartered in 1941
- Dormant since 2006
- 1,470 total brothers initiated
- Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Target: Fall 2009
Ball State (Iota-Alpha)
- Chartered in 1951
- Dormant since 2004
- 1,700 total brothers initiated
- Located in Muncie, Indiana
- Target: Fall 2010
Idaho (Epsilon-Gamma)
- Chartered in 1927
- Dormant since 1998
- 859 total brothers initiated
- Located in Moscow, Idaho
- Target: Fall 2010
Campuses in Consideration
Calgary (Delta-Zeta)
- Chartered in 1988
- Dormant since 1993
- 45 total brothers initiated
Cal State-Fresno (Iota-Gamma)
- Chartered in 1952
- Dormant since 2003
- 1,270 total brothers initiated
Dayton (Sigma-Eta)
- Chartered in 1975
- Dormant since 2003
- 749 total brothers initiated
DePauw (Xi)
- Chartered in 1915
- Dormant since 1995
- 1,319 total brothers initiated
- Located in Greencastle, Indiana
Florida Atlantic (Beta-Phi)
- Chartered in 1971
- Dormant since 1976
- 88 total brothers initiated
- Located in Boca Raton, Florida
Massachusetts-Amherst (Gamma)
- Chartered in 1912
- Dormant since 2003
- 1502 total brothers initiated
Richmond (Alpha-Chi)
- Chartered in 1918
- Dormant since 1999
- 1,272 total brothers initiated
The article stated that the Board of Directors and the Fraternity staff had worked cooperatively in the spring 2006 to establish criteria to ensure sound decision making with respect to expansion and colonization.
Based on the expansion criteria currently in place, the Lambda Chi Alpha staff refers to the following topics when evaluating a campus for colonization:
- Institution’s Receptiveness
- Alumni Support
- Legacies on Campus
- State of Greek Community
- Institution’s Reputation
- Established Interest Groups
Given the pivotal importance of active alumni support for colony operations, and ultimately to a colony’s long-term success, we wanted to focus more attention on this topic.
As we have stated previously, Lambda Chi Alpha needs interested alumni who are willing to offer their time, talent, and treasure. As a colony grows, it needs older, more experienced brothers to show the new brothers and associate members the Lambda Chi Alpha way.
Time
When Lambda Chi Alpha considers an expansion, and especially for those recolonizations where we are reactivating and revitalizing a closed chapter, we must look for alumni brothers who have the time to attend:
- Weekly meetings
- Recruitment functions
- Executive committee meetings
- Philanthropy events
In addition, we need alumni brothers who have the time and interest to mentor new brothers and associate members. An alumnus who can invest his time and energy will add a stronger Lambda Chi Alpha presence and create an atmosphere of shared passion for the colony.
Talent
In addition to contributing time, Lambda Chi Alpha also seeking alumni brothers who can give their talent. These would be alumni brothers who may have had notable experiences as undergraduates or who have served as chapter officers or advisers.
Bringing these types of talents to the new brothers and associate members will be of considerable assistance.
Often times we are recruiting new associate members at universities where we must compete with other well established fraternities. Those may already have active alumni organizations with their own social structure and networks to facilitate support of chapter operations and housing.
Therefore any Lambda Chi colonization or recolonization faces significant challenges because prospective associate members may see their peers joining a fraternal structure where the alumni are already a strong, well established component.
In addition, the Lambda Chi Alpha staff members will only be on campus for a finite amount of time. We need alumni brothers who will provide a continuing presence to nurture and support the growth and development of these new brothers as they define their Lambda Chi Alpha identity, begin to create their own traditions as a chapter, and develop a deep spirit of brotherhood.
Treasure
As for treasure, we seek alumni brothers who may not have the time, nor have had the experiences, but do feel they can offer some financial assistance so the new associate members could attend Lambda Chi Alpha functions or other university leadership programs.
Often times a colony is struggling just to understand the concept of dues and insurance, so taking on the responsibility for items like training or Ritual equipment is something alumni can support with their treasure.
Interested alumni can allocate specific funding for any of these items: Ritual equipment, recruitment efforts, setting up scholarships, or contributing to a dedicated fund to enable brothers and associate members to attend events like General Assemblies and Leadership Seminars.
These donations can be some of the strongest ways to help the colonies develop, providing them opportunities to attend General Fraternity events where they can visit with their peers operating within Lambda Chi Alpha. The more exposure the new brothers and associate members can have to the other chapters, the better.
Increased Staff Support
The campuses in the queue list have passed the Fraternity’s criteria as approved by Lambda Chi Alpha’s Board of Diretors. Collectively, the Board, Fraternity staff, and alumni have created a criteria matrix to evaluate a campus. Campuses are then ranked with top targets identified, which establishes a queue that the Fraternity then follows.
In today’s expansion mode, the Fraternity staff provides increased on-site support for a new colony. A staff member(s) arrives on campus before recruitment begins, spends two weeks establishing the Lambda Chi Alpha identity, and then recruits men who exemplify our Seven Core Values.
The staff member(s) then orients the new associates members on colony operations and returns later in the semester for a week of preinitiation followed by the actual Initiation Ritual. In addition, a colony will also receive a separate consultant visit.
How to Inquire
If you are interested in helping one of our colony expansions, please contact Director of Chapter Services John Holloway (Highpoint 1994) at jholloway@lambdachi.org and tell him how you would be willing to help.
Jeff Reisdorfer Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 amThe Men of Lambda-Iota Zeta at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are very excited for re-Colonization of our Chapter, beginning this Fall, 2008.
In ZAX,
Jeff “Claude” Reisdorfer
LI-744
Nick Garcia Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 amI have been trying to get in contact with brett baker for a possible expansion here at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. Can anyone give me a number or a better e-mail to reach him on?
In ZAX,
Nick Garcia
AH 1728
WILLIAM GARVIN Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pmWE ARE INTERESTED IN REACTIVATING THE IOTA LAMBDA CHAPTER AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY. WE HAVE A LOCAL COMMITTEE READY TO START. NEED SOMEONE FROM NATIONAL TO CONTACT US. WILLIAM GARVIN, IOTA LAMDBA 49
Tom Earp Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmI thank you Brother Holloway for finally placing a list of where we may be going back to hopefully rebuild our Zetas.
I have always been a proponent of letting us as Alumni into the loop. With this information, it may be possible for Alumni to give more help with the rebuilding process.
This is a first and I hope not the last time we will all see a list of prospects.
Tom Earp
LX Z 1
Pittsburg State University, Ks.
Rodger Lalli Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pmBrothers,
What a great opportunity we have before us. I would like to thank the General Fraternity for allowing me to work with the brothers at Pi-Sigma Zeta for the past two years. Pi-Sigma received its charter on 2/10/07 and having the privilege of being a part of that process was a blessing to me.
Rodger Lalli
GR1894
Danny Rothbard Says:
May 6th, 2008 at 8:57 amWe need to get an expansion out to more of the SUNY schools here in New York, as well as some of the Long Island colleges and Universities that have already existing greek communities (such as Hofstra and C.W. Post). Having just one chapter in the country’s most populated city is not enough. There are some NYC/Long Island Alums who I am sure would be happy to help start an eager colony!
Glen Alan Graham Says:
May 7th, 2008 at 9:28 amYes! I’m SO GLAD to see that my home Zeta, Epsilon-Gamma at University of Idaho, is listed in the sidebar, as a “Campus in Queue”!
Were I not living far away, in San Antonio, Texas (and active in the area Alumni Association and with the local Zetas), I’d be ready and willing to help revive E-G. As it is, I will certainly be praying for the success of this effort. And should there be ANYTHING else I can do from a distance, please let me know!
In ZAX,
Glen Alan Graham
EG 540 (Idaho Class of 1976)
e-mail: valle4gris@yahoo.com
bob Says:
May 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pmare there any plans for beta-lambda zeta at Morehead State, I would be willing to do anything I can to help make this happen as well as many other alumni.