Yeah so I think we actually have an official "GDI" organization here... so it's like a group for independents who offers the kind of support that greek houses do? I *think*... but I never hear much about it and I don't think they actually do anything *shrug* so ohwell.

I think a lot of times when I hear people say GDI it's just because they don't feel like saying "independent." I don't outwardly notice when people use the term, so I'm not sure whether people use it real often or not; I just know I hear it every once in a while... I don't think it's a big deal at all.

I've never heard that there were negative connotations associated with it.

At my school, GDI does not refer to non-greeks.....the other greek organizations use the term to refer to my sorority (and the other local). They use GDI because they say we're independant of the national scene (NPC).

Personally I hate the term, mainly because it is used to speak of my sorority by other greeks at Dal. My brother used to call me that all the time and I would flip out (he's in Zeta Psi).

Funny how it means different things on different campuses, eh?!

Point of order from someone who WAS "GDI"
 

People, for the love of pete, be careful who you use this term in front of.

When I was an undergrad, this term was used for people who were not Greek, not by their own choice. In other words, the ones who were cut.

It's callous, it's hurtful, and it will not do anything positive for the Greek image. It reinforces the stereotype of Greeks being elitist snobs who judge their friendships by the brand names they wear. Not good, and not consistent with most of the ideals of our respective GLOs.

Just my 2 cents for the day.

Adrienne
(looking to lose the "GDI" label.......)

Neither had I , until this thread started.

Elitist snobs?

Well maybe if they were just good enough for us we'd take them all:D

I'll admit it - I call people GDIs all the time. But I have no problem with independents, and I don't know any that have a problem being called GDI.

For me, it's just a point of reference. In my cell phone, for example, I'll put people in there as Katie Chi-O and Katie GDI, to help me keep track....

-Alison

*snicker*

My boyfriend is very amused with the whole GDI thing. One of our friends (also a GDI) got his greek girlfriend a Gamma Delta Iota lavaliere. It doesn't have a very negative connotation here, as far as I know.

SigKapSweetie: Hahaha! The same thing happened to one of my sisters....and she rocks her GDI lavalier right along with her KD one. At Bethany, they actually sold GDI stickers & stuff.....not Gamma Delta Iota....just GDI. A lot of independents had them. Greek life is huge at BC, but even still, GDI wasn't a negative term...just a term for people who we didn't understand. "They're a GDI." "Ohhhhh......" *looking at the person with much curiousity*

That is GREAT :D

I hate to admit that I've thrown "GDI" around a few times in my life. But never in a bad way to hurt anyone. I only say it in front of close friends to either (a) describe someone like Alison-Marie does in her cell-phone or (b) talking to friends, usually im describing some sorority or fraternity function I just went to and the friend would be like.. OMG ur such a sorority girl (being funny) and I'd be like.. yeah whatever, you're such a GDI... all in good fun. (too much effort to be like, "whatever susan, you're so unaffiliated... :rolleyes: )

Never to be like.. ugh so there was this GDI at the party and OMG she was such a .... etc etc etc.

LOL! Good one, kt. Thanx for the laugh. ;)

It's just food for thought, folks. In any situation w/ any nickname think how the shoe would feel on the other foot before you say it.

Adrienne
Hopefully soon to be ex-GDI. <G>
:D

I'd never heard the term at all before....but then again, we don't have a very 'greek' campus.
I don't think it'd be that offensive...although it took me till third year to go greek and I'd probably object if it had been used this way
But I don't seem much harm in joking with friends....

Re: GDI...good or bad?
 

To add what others have said, I've only seen the term used by non-socials to apply to themselves. I've never heard of someone calling someone else a GDI.

I did read a few years back of a GDI here in florida who went out and got stich letter shirts with "Gamma Delta Iota" letters on them, and was selling them to others who considered themselves GDIs. All as a joke, of course.

I first heard of GDI's when i was a senior in HS and was talking with my parents about their college experiences. My mom told me that she and her "GDI" friends were treated poorly by the sorority women at her school and were made to feel like second class citizens. (She went to the University of South Dakota)

A&M's not really a big Greek school, but we definately have terms for everybody. There's the CT's(Corps of Cadets members), BQ's(members of the Band), Non-Regs(people NOT in the corps), Northside guys and gals, Southside guys and gals (by where your dorm is) and the Greeks. I've only actually started to use GDI again after seeing it thrown around on here. We also use "random' to describe people that show up at our stuff that aren't affiliated.

Kitso
KS 361