Good Luck KBF-- have you contacted the greek office to find out when the COR events are-- they should know!! :)

I was told by the greek office and my rho chi that signs would be posted around about COR events, so I've been looking, but haven't seen anything...But my eyes are still wide open!

KBF

You have such an awesome outlook on all this!! Unlike some ladies who would probably be very frustrated and end up missing out on sorority life. I can tell you have the determination to get your grades up and continue on, and I admire you for that!! You will be a fantastic asset to ANY group on campus, and I wish you the best of luck!! Please continue to visit here and keep us up to date, we are all rooting for ya!!

Thanks for everyone's support. I appreciate it more than most of you know! I am determined end up where I will be happy, and not just settle for something because it's here right now, and refuse to be gotten down by things that can be changed! I promise to keep you all up to date as to how things are going on my end, although I won't know too much until the service sorority rushes are over, since I am going to check them out as well. If I'm not happy there, then I will just pull my grades up to where they need to be, and go for informal rush in the spring! Thanks for being so supportive, and thanks for rooting me on! I appreciate it!

KBF

that good attitude just keeps rolling along.
just see what happens.
good thoughts with you.

Service Sororties
 

Well, I took part in some of the rush activities for the service sororites, and had a good time. However, I now find myself in a squeeze....

I enjoyed the time I spent with the girls I have met the last few days and could see being their sister, however, I still long to be a part of the PH groups that I've enjoyed and could probably bid next semester. I can't figure out if I'm doing the service sorority thing because I am looking to be a part of something or if it's what I really want.

I don't want to make a bad decision as to what to do...if anyone has any suggestions for me, I would love to hear them!!!

KBF

That is just what I was going to say... I have seen many greek women be involved in both... Including my diamond sister (similar to a little sister)... She is both in ADPi and in OPhiA... She is an active sister in both...

Co-sign....I can't tell you the number of friends (and sisters) that were in more than one *type* of GLO (be it service, honor, or Panhellenic). The only thing I would "caution" you on is if you decide you want to do both, it might be in your best interest to join them one semester at a time (i.e., join the service sorority this semester, and a Panhellenic/NPHC organization next semester). My best friend freshman year was going through her pledging process with KD and with SAI at the same time, and I know that there were many times when she was super stressed!

Best of luck for making the right decision for YOU! :)

ditto to earlier posts.
this sounds like a positive immediate solution for you.
i would go for it and then consider other things.

I have to co-sign on this! I joined Delta Sigma Pi a year before I transferred schools, and joined Alpha Delta Pi after I transferred. I could not imagine pledging both at the same time!

New Member periods can be pretty busy and to have 2 to deal with would be nuts!

I would highly recommend doing both if you are genuinely interested in both. You can recieve many benefits from both, and by joining another type, it is generally an area you are interested in, and so you make many more valuable networking opportunities for the future.

I would guess that dues for service/professional/non-social -type GLOs are considerably lower than those of NPC chapters. (Although that would greatly depend on what the normal dues are for the NPC chapters on your campus... I think on smaller campuses dues tend to be way lower than on bigger ones). My dues for Delta Sigma Pi were only $60 for an entire semester at my old chapter, and I believe they are $80 at this chapter up here. ... So you wouldn't have to take 5 jobs or anything to pay dues for both if you choose to do so.

If you have any questions about anything, feel free to pm me :)

Thanks for all the words of encouragement! I think if I am given a bid to one of our service sororities, I will accept it, because I will still be able to rush a PH sorority in the spring. My understanding is that I will be a pledge all semester for the service sorority, and will be initiated in the beginning of the spring semester, which would be good so that I could be a pledge for a PH group. I just don't want to make a decision and have it ruin any other chance I have for the PH groups that I enjoy!

Thanks again, I'll keep you all up to date on things, I won't know anything until next week or the week after about bids for the service sororities, but I will continue to post my rush experiences of the service sororities as they occur!

KBF

how awesome that you are giving these groups a chance! many of my sisters were also members of apo on my campus. as a matter of fact, there were many women from the other sororites...and men from the fraternities in apo, too. good luck with your parties!

terrific idea...i ditto all the others. you can definitely have it both ways.

As with any group, join it because you like the people in, and the goals of, the organization.

This goes for other groups as well... choirs, student councils, house councils, departmental organizations, theater, etc.

That said, you may have service org brothers/sisters that are also NPC sisters... Getting to know you through your involvement in another org can help them better know you during recruitment.

Whatever your choices, I wish you well!

Update
 

Well, I thought I would post an update as this week gets ready to start. I have three more days of service sorority rushes and then I have found out that one of my favorite groups on campus, the Challenger groups, is having a few COR parties this week and next week. None of them should conflict with my service sorority parties, so I think I might go and see what's going on. I know they did not make quota during formal rush, so I know they are looking to take more girls. I'm hoping that perhaps my grades are high enough that they will consider me, however, as I posted earlier, I know they had problems last semester and that their grades have been brought down, and they are trying to bring them back up. Well, I guess I'm going to go for now, I have to get some stuff done around here before I go to work and then to one of my service parties. I'll try to post tonight when I get home about my experiences tonight with the girls I meet! Talk to you all later!

Oh yeah, the Challenger parties don't start till later this week, so I'll update you as they come along!

KBF

Thought I should post an update to things, as I am getting ready to leave for a party.

I found out last night from the service sorority that I am interested in that I cannot be in both the service and a social PH sorority. I have to choose. These are apparently the service sororities rules and they say that the PH groups have rules about it as well. But whatever. I did not make it to the service party tonight, as I have had much going on in my family life this week and last, but I am going to go to the Challenger Party tonight. I'm going to see where it goes and go from there. I will go to the last service parties as well, which aren't tonight, but I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face. Anyway, I'll post how tonight goes when I get in, although it's COR and I'm not sure if I can really gauge what my chances are! Talk to you all later!

KBF

Hmm, I've never heard of this rule before. I have known many people to be in social sororities/fraternities and also be active in other greek letter orgs. as well(academic, service, etc etc). You might want to check out the factuality of what this person said with the Student Affairs office. Best of luck and follow your heart!

I agree! My little is part of a service sorority and part of DG. She was, however, alum from DG when she joined (she transferred to a college where there isn't a DG chapter) BUT that shouldn't matter! It sounds to me as if they want you all to theirselves! :p

so what's up?
how did the cor go with challenger?
good luck as the week progresses.

Yeah, I've never heard of that rule either. I know a few of my Pi Phi sisters were also APOs. It wouldn't make sense to have such a rule....

Yes, please posted an update. I'm interested to see how the COR events went. Good luck!!!! :D

Update
 

Things went well last night, although I'm honestly not sure where things stand. I do have 2 parties to go to tonight, a Challenger party and a service party. I do plan to attend both parties, although I'm starting to wonder if the service sorority is the way I want to go. I'm down to just one of the groups, and I like the girls and everything, but it somehow seems that these girls are the rejects from the PH groups. I know why I was cut from rush, GRADES! But some of these girls went through prefs and still got cut from the PH groups, and it seems like all they want to do is bash the PH groups. I think the comment was made that the PH girls are jealous of the service group (we'll call them Pineapple, just so I have a nickname for them), because the frat guys like Pineapple better. I have no idea why, but that was a comment that I felt could have been kep to themselves during rush. These girls also seem to be more of a partying type, and while they concentrate on service, or so they say, I have to wonder, after all the party and bar stories OI heard the other night during rush.

Oh well enough of my soapbox at the moment. I'm going to go and be happy, but I do not know if I will accept a bid from Pineapple if I am given one. As for Challenger, I am looking forward to that party tonight, as in my earlier posts, I really like the girls and would love to be a part of their group, but as we all know, grades are my issue! Well, I'll talk to you all later, when I get back, which will be late, so look for a post sometime after 11pm EST! Talk to ya then, and thanks for all the good lucks!

KBF

Ouch. I do not envy your situation.

If they are going to make you decide between the two, you have to decide where YOU fit best. If Pineapple's comments and party attitude are bothering you, you should take a step back to think if you really want to join them.

hey - great for you for keeping an open mind and really taking a good hard look at all of your options! best of luck!!!!

marissa

There shouldn't be any restrictions on the number of campus activities you can become involved with. Except for the NPC guideline that states you can't be an initated member of more than one NPC sorority, you are free to join any clubs or organizations you want.

I would steer clear of any organization that limits your choices like these. These are YOUR college years, and you should get out of them what you WANT to-- and not be restricted.


Similiarly, if you feel uncomfortable around members of a club/org/GLO based on their words, values, deeds and/or actions, you drop them. It will only bring you unhappiness to spend your social time with "friends" who are so completely dissimilar to you.

Good luck in getting involved on campus! I hope you make lots of friends and have wonderful experiences (and get on the Dean's List, too!)!!!

Update
 

Here's the last update for awhile....I've decided that based on my grades and everything that's going on in my life this semester, I'm going to sit out and do informal rush in the spring. By then I will have my grades where they need to be, and life should have calmed down, as well as I have decided I do not want to be a part of the service sorority group that I have spent time going to. I'm thinking I will be better off just waiting and getting in to the group that I feel comfortable in and want to be a part of. I will however, stay on the boards as much as I can as a PNM and keep you guys in the loop as to what's going on with my rush experiences! Thanks for everything and all of the wonderful words of encouragment, it only makes me more determined to get my grades up so I can be a part of everything that you all are!

KBF

And for now, my nicknames will be kept under wraps, at least till spring is over!

I'm so sorry things didn't work out this semester!

Good job for not giving up! :)

sweetie...get those grade up and then let's see. you've shown yourself to be a bright, talented, motivated person. just relax and go forth and then let's see.

Work on your grades and get involved on campus this semester! There will be sorority women in your classes and in campus activities to meet and mingle with-- so you will be much stronger coming into informal recruitment in spring with higher grades, campus involvement and Greek connections!

Good luck and keep in touch!

Small Update/Questions??
 

Ok I promised an update and here it is...

Things are going decently well this semester, and I am happy with the way things are (concentrating on school and family)... I'm also very glad I did not join the service sorority that I was considering, as they have lost respect with me because of some of the girls that they bid. However, there are a couple of parties coming up that I have been invited to through a friend of mine in a specific group (Challenger). I am seriously considering going to these parties, as I like the girls and could have a good time. However, there is one small issue that is weighing on my mind.

Due to some extinuating circumstances, I may not be back at my current school next spring. I have been told by a couple of profs that I am not going to get into my program of choice due to my political leanings. This is mainly because I am outspoken in class and have to problem speaking my mind. Because of this, I have a couple of profs who have taken a dislike to me. They have since told me that i will not be getting into my program. Therefor I have chosen to apply to a school that is nearby with the equivalant program. They also have a greek system, and one that is quite well respected. I do know however, that unless I go in as an active, I will not get into their greek system.

I guess it all boils down to this...If I go to these parties, and get a bid, unbeknownst that I am seriously considering a transfer, how bad does it look on me? Am I taking an unecessary risk? I'm sure I could try to COB at my new school, but seeing as I am a senior, I know it is unlikely that I would get a bid.

I know I'm rambling, but all this has come up within the last 48 hours. My profs decided to tell me what they did as I prepare to apply to my program and whatnot, and I don't want to stay at a place where I have no shot. On the other hand, I want to be a part of greek life ASAP! I have not made a final decision on where I will be in school next semester, as I have not heard anything back on my admissions app for the new school.

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks again for all your support and help!

KBF

Also, if you know who I am, please don't reveal me! There are plenty of people on here from both my current school and my prospective school! Thanks :)

But wait...
 

I just found out something quite interesting, I was looking at the grade requirements for my new school, and have figured out that I meet the requirements for some of the groups. I used to know several girls who were sisters in different sororities there, as I used to attend the school when I first graduated high school. Challenger has a chapter on the campus I am considering transferring to. I wonder if I should just wait...I'm all confused now...I could register for COB in the spring if I transfer, and attempt to bid there, but I know their record for taking seniors(even though I have a bit of time left) is slim.

I'm really going to hush for the night. I need to be doing some homework so that I can bring those grades up! Drop me a note if you have any help for me!

KBF

SO when are you transferring? And fyi your professors should not be able to keep you out of a program because of your beliefs in fact they should welcome you because academia is all about teaching people and showing people the other side of what they believe. GOOD LUCK

oh yeah I would go to the parties and see how they go ... I would also go to the dean of the college

I can't say too much about how my profs can keep me out of my program, however, I will say they do have the power to keep me out.

I will go into more depth later, when I am able to reveal my school and whanot.

I am considering transferring in the spring, provided the financial aid is available to me and they accept the current transcript from my current school.

We have considered getting out attorney involved, however, I decided that I do not want to be a part of a program that does not want me to be a part of it.

My mom and I discussed what should be done at length, and have decided after much turmoil that we would wait until I have been accepted to the program at the other school and then alert the dean and president to what is going on. I don't believe they should have the power to keep me out either, but I am not in a position to argue. Besides, they both told me they would blame my denial on my GPA even though the program is selective but not closed(everyone gets in if they meet the requirements, not a closed number of students).

Again, you guys will get more info when I feel I can give out more info about where I am at...right now I dont' want to give up too much info because I don't want both schools to know what's going on!

Thanks again!

KBF

wow...
i'm sorry for you sweetie.
do what you have to do for you, the rest of it will have to take care of itself.

I rushed and pledged knowing I'd be transferring. It worked out fine and my sisters from my first school are some of my best friends in the world.

yikes. i am sorry to hear that things are so crazy for you right now!!! i hope you get it straightened out because that doesn't sound right at all! go to the parties and meet some more sisters. challenger may not be offering bids until the spring (i don't know, i am just thinking it is late in the semester and might be hard to fit you in to the current new member class or to have a second class). have fun!!

I honestly don't know what they are going to do about bids this late in the semester, I know they did not make quota this semester, but that's about all I know. I should know more after this week, as I think I will go to at least the first party and go from there...

Also, I want to post my condolences to the Hendrick family during this time of loss. As you may know a Hendrick plane went down on the way to the NASCAR race today and lost 10 passenger, 4 of whom were a part of the Hendrick family, the rest were a part of the Hendrick business family.

KBF

Re: Small Update/Questions??
 

Even as a transfer Greek, it is not guaranteed the chapter of the sorority at the new school would accept your transfer of membership. Just something to think about.

I do wish you the best with school and your extracurriculars, but if you're having challenges with professors and your grades, it might be a good time to focus on straightening out your life, getting up your grades and moving past this unpleasantness with your program (whether that means transferring to a new school or learning to work with your current professors). Sorority membership is very time intensive, and from everything you've said, you have very decided feelings on certain issues and have a need to pick up your GPA. Although I don't know you personally, from everything you've posted, it would seem that pursuing sorority membership should not be high on your list of priorities-- getting into your program and taking the necessary steps to get along with your professors and do well in your classes-- so you can get good recommendations and an education to establish a CAREER-- should be the priority. Good luck with whatever you decide, but take some time to think about what's really most important. Yes, a sorority is wonderful and fun and a great way to make friends and hone leadership skills and social graces... but if your GPA is down and you're having trouble getting along with superiors (in this case, teachers), there may be other things you should be focusing on right now.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

ETA: I'm not saying you shouldn't enjoy your time in college or get involved on campus. But there are other ways of doing this that won't be as time-intensive as a sorority, that also won't conflict with any outspoken or different political views. Sorority membership does encourage diversity and promotes leadership, but also is a lot about functioning within teams and accepting a certain level of conformity. If you're having trouble working with professors, or you're regarded as outspoken and having very different views, a sorority really isn't the best place for you to feel at home, IMHO. You might be happier in Student Gov't, Young Democrats/Republicans/Libertarians, Peer Education, etc... Again this is just my opinion as a graduate and a sorority member, and based on what you have posted and I have understood. I want you to be happy with whatever you decide. If you're hellbent on sorority membership, than just do it. But I'm regarding that for right here and now, a more sensible approach would be to get involved on campus in some other activities, get a tutor, pull up those grades and have a heart-to-heart with the head of your department. Professors don't willfully make students' lives miserable, contrary with popular belief. They do have lives, and if they are so hugely unpopular because they are making coursework and student life so challenging, their semesterly student evaluations will quickly lead them down the unemployment line.

well said adpiucf