Chapter Size and the "Dunbar Number"

The Limits of Friendship (in "The New Yorker")

BY MARIA KONNIKOVA

I saw this article in "The New Yorker" and it  got me thinking about chapter size and how 'effective' the college fraternity experience is. The Dunbar number? Generally speaking it is the number of people you call "friends". The article goes into it with more nuance, but lets call it 150 for now.

For years I have maintained (based only on anecdotal observation) that the minimum size of a good chapter is 50 men. Fewer that that and the chapter struggles to fill the operational positions for exec and the support areas.There is also difficulty managing finances (with the inevitable slow- and non-payers). and even fielding competitive intramural teams.

In reading this article I am led to consider whether there is an upward limit as well. Can you really have a full-on 'brotherhood' experience with more than 150 fellow chapter members? Perhaps there s a risk that a 150+ sized chapter will effectively split into multiple "sub-chapters" - groups who stick together and have independent agendas, even to the detriment of stated overall chapter goals and strategic vision. I know there are some 200+ member chapters. How do you keep it real?

Take a look at the article and share your experience and thoughts about it. Did you belong to a large "Sigma Phi Everyone" chapter, or a large chapter of another fraternity? How well did the experience work out. Was your chapter a smaller (100 or less) size? How effectively did you get to know all your brothers and did you work well together?

I'm not purposely leaving out sororities either. However, I suspect that there will be differences based on the presence or absence of a "Y" chromosome. I'd like to hear about it if only to show the contrast. Too many degrees of freedom and the examination gets unwieldy for this non-social scientist.

Lets hear your viewpoint. Comment either on the blog, Google+, or Facebook. I am hoping for some interesting discussion.

Time Management - Real and Important

I've just been SO busy!
from out friends at THE APATHY MYTH: A Blog for America's Student Leaders

How many times have you heard this in the last month? It's become the regular excuse for just about everything. Sorry I didn't call you. Sorry I didn't reply to that email. Sorry I've been out of touch. Sorry I forgot your birthday. Sorry I haven't been able to come to any of your meetings. Sorry I didn't call you after our date.

I've just been SO busy...

When you claim "being busy," you're basically saying, "It hasn't been my priority."

The people who are "so busy" (and presumably, more busy than you or I) have had time to do a million small things that are more important than satisfying you. Fair or not, you aren't their priority.

In some cases, they've been so intensely busy, they have barely had time to grab a meal here and there. But, often, it's just a convenient excuse for not prioritizing YOU. They've had time to play video games, watch television, check their Facebook.

If someone told them to stop by to pick up an apple pie, they'd find time. If that special someone made a booty call, they'd be right over. If their boss told them to work an extra hour or be fired, they would do it. If someone offered to clean their house, they'd have time to drive the key over.

We make time for the things we care about.

If that person actually cared about answering your question or doing that small favor for you, they would have found time. It's that simple. When someone says, "I've been busy," what they mean is, "You haven't been my priority."

But, "Things have been crazy lately!" sounds so much less offensive.

If you have someone who keeps giving you the excuse, it's time to deal with the fact that he or she is not likely to make you a priority.

And, if you're the one who is always saying it, time to stop.

Instead of saying, "I'm sorry, I've just been so busy," say something more honest, such as:"You know, I'm a jerk for not getting back to you, I'm sorry. I'll do it by tomorrow afternoon."

"I really don't have time to make that a priority. Maybe you should find someone else."

"I've been under a lot of stress lately and I have been forgetting a lot of things lately."

Or maybe even, "Yeah, don't hold your breath on that one."

Athletes advise new arrivals

The Washington University at St Louis student paper has advice for new students.

Time management: two words that have been thrown at the freshman class so many times that the number would make one's head spin.

In order for this concept to take root, it needs to be combined with familiar experiences. From two seniors come the experiences that relay the importance of time management when it comes to everyone's favorite and most time-demanding pastime-sports.

In an interview with senior Scott Kaufman-Ross, intramural athlete and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Kaufman-Ross gave a new twist on an old theory.

"The more you do, the better [at time management] you get," said Kaufman-Ross. "It's easier to manage a schedule when you have stuff you know to you have to do," he continued.

His theory seemed particularly applicable because students with lots of time seem more prone to waste their time. Kaufman-Ross says the key to successful time management is, "a good amount [of commitments], not too much."

His theory seemed particularly applicable because students with lots of time seem more prone to waste their time. Kaufman-Ross says the key to successful time management is, "a good amount [of commitments], not too much."

Many do not believe intramural sports to be true sports because a lot of teams are very lenient with practice and workouts. Classmate Noah Barboza, though highly involved with intramural sports now, was also a member of the varsity football team for two years. He is also a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, works in the admissions office and is a referee and competitor for a number of intramural sports, including fraternity and co-ed teams.

"I did not have many problems with my schedule," he said.

Athletes advise new arrivals - FP Sports