*This* should be interesting...!

If such a show airs and highlights Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, not only is this going to hurt the public's image of the greek system as a whole, it's going to hurt AEPhi specifically - because of the local's history and the similarity in letters.

All national GLOs (AFAIK) have rules in place governing things like hazing, drinking/smoking while wearing letters, etc. - designed to protect the reputation of the national group and all its chapters. But with locals - while many of them have similar rules in place (mine certainly did), not all local GLOs may have such rules.

I'm certainly not holding my breath waiting for a good presentation of the greek system from MTV.

I think that MTV is very entertaining with the Real World. I hope that most viewers are aware that editing can change the entire story. This will not be a documentary, and I hope they don't advertise it as one. I also hope that these women represent themselves well because to many viewers this will be there only information about sororities. Cross your fingers.

Yes, DZR..that's what I was getting at. I know that the majority of locals have great pride in their organizations.

It doesn't really matter if a group is a local, national or international, we are all affected by actions of others..hopefully for the positive things we do.

Is that a fact?
 

I don't know about fully participating on MTV as a Greek, however I do know that many national organizations make members clear it through their HQ before they do any type of media.

I do know that NPC has prohibited NPC groups from participating in this project, it's been all over the country, they've been soliciting sororities on tons of campuses and it just is sad that finally someone caved. The local group probably though, "wow, we get to be on MTV and get exposure". I hope they reconsider and haven't started taping. Anything that happens could be construed negatively. I'm sure it's a great group, but looking through their pics, the one that stands out is a pic of 3 girls with bras on their heads....I'm sure MTV could make a great story out of that! I'm sure they think of hazing immediately, whether it's just a fun silly girl thing or not.

Just my thoughts.

Eirene: I agree with AGDLynn. Let's face it, Local's can do what they wish b/c they only represent that one group; it can be that one chapter or only a few chapters.

When in a NPC group we reflect on the entire 26 group's membership not just one chapter or a few chapters.

Just like on 20/20 last year regarding hazing; every group was a local. That doesn't mean that only locals haze or that national groups do not. But there is a huge difference b/w national and local groups that is never explained.

MTV will utlimatley make money off misinforming their public and we as Greeks have just one more mountian to climb. It goes on every day but aggrevates me to no end that national groups get into enough trouble without us being lumped in the same group as all locals.

..
 

I think most greeks that are in national GLOs are snobs and have elitest attitudes when comparing themselves to locals.

The group of girls that are going to appear on MTV used to be national, didn't they? You should check out "fraternal news groups" on yahoo and you will find that national orgs have plenty of problems. This week alone a ZBT brother at Alfred was found dead behind the house, two TKE pledges died in a car wreck and a rushee at U of Md was found dead.

Do you really think nationals have that much control over their chapters?
How come half of your chapters are inactive?
Didnt every national GLO actually atart out as a local?

Re: ..
 

Amen!!! :D

A few thoughts....
 

I only said that this group used to be A E Phi so people would not think they were an A E Phi interest group (I wouldn't even WATCH MTV if I was an interest group trying to get a charter these days, LOL). I agree with Eirene, I don't think we should immediately bash SAEP because they happen to be local, formerly national. There are lots of reasons why national groups become local and they DO NOT all have to do with disciplinary measures. Many of the sororities at Dartmouth (for one) went local on their own, not because they were disciplined or "bad" chapters.

What I am really surprised about is that UC Davis - and isn't Davis the town where you aren't allowed to smoke - is letting them go through with it. My personal thought is that they are setting these girls (and the Greek system there) up for a fall by letting them do it.

Optimist - it is a "conference" not really a governing body. They have agreements for things that involve more than one group participating (like rush and expansion) but cannot make rules for the individual groups. Kind of like - all the stores at the mall can set their own prices and decide what they are going to sell, but they all have to follow the mall management's opening and closing hours and signage limits, etc.

showstopper_1908 - you're absolutely right! This past season I think Mike wore a Theta Chi t-shirt in every episode. However, they probably could not have filmed Mike at his fraternity house if he went back to visit or at a fraternity party. Basically people can participate as individuals but a chapter as a whole cannot.

P.S. I was in a local so I do understand the local side.

SHULTZZ:

Why would it matter if they were national?

And yes a national organization does have a lot of control over chapter activities. It is called organizational structure and we have many alumnae that are incharge of the guiding of our chapters. That is why we have organizational goals and objectives, we all strive to follow the path to strengthen our entire group.

Half of our chapters are not closed.

Not all national organizations began as locals.

I find it funny how when I say that we are different that you are defensive and then back it up with differences. I mean really, local groups and national groups are not the same; like NPHC and NPC are not the same. Similiar issues, different organizations!

Not bad, different.

Like I said, we have enough issues of our own without being lumped into the same group. And you know after this MTV thing, Parents everywhere will be asking more and more and using the MTV thing as evidence...and they will not understand that is was one group, one chapter, one school...

I say let the games begin.
Would it be really nice if MTV did this in a good light and am I hoping that they do...yes. But reality comes back and 60% of me thinks this is gonna hurt. I would have a better feeling if maybe this was going to be on NBC or something. MTV has done alot of good things (ie, telling the Matthew Shepard Story) but alot of it can be overdramatized stereotypical stuff too.
My thing is, is this sorority going to be ready for any consequences that may happen after the show appears? Neg. publicity, if they are on a Greek Body Council, possibly being excluded from it, and maybe just being snubbed and not taken seriously as individuals and a org as a whole, by the fraternitites and sororities at UC-Davis, but by the student body also? Is the price of "Fame" worth this?
Shultzz... I think National Orgs (whether NPHC,NIC or NPC) have their chapters fairly well under wrap. Obviously we know we're not perfect cuz yeah, you do hear about alot of tragic incidents that happen in different chapters. You always have to take the good with the bad. As far as having half our chapters being inactive, I dont think so. I think that most orgs have like 18-25% inactive, maybe a few more, which i think shows that they do keep usin check. Would it be good business for them to keep every chapter active with the bad ones running around and doing stuff they should being doing just to say, yeah we have every chapter active? Nope. Chapters are given a chance to straighten up, and if they dont, its sad but you have to go bye bye. Whether its from low numbers or bad incidents.

You got a problem with pillow fights? :) Don't come to our house then.

I should add though that unlike in that great classic Animal House, we DO keep our clothes on :)

Re: Is that a fact?
 

Showstopper,

What I meant by my statement is that National GLO's have been told by their Headquarters that they are not to allow MTV to film any type of "documentary" on Greek Life using one of their chapters as an example.

As for individual Greeks on the Real World, that's a different type of thing because the network isn't going into the national organization's house and filming its day to day activities.

;) Too funny!

Re: Re: Is that a fact?
 

Question: What if MTV was filming the Real World in the citiy of one of its cast members who is greek...would that person have to deaffiliate or something, or could they still be involved in their chapter while filming?