...question answered

"Don't Confuse Me With the Facts" AKA The Cross-examination
 

I am not sure of the motivation of this poster, but I rather doubt that her intentions are totally benevolent. (Her prior posts ask for advice on whether she should de-pledge a "loser sorority"?!) She can hold whatever personal opinion she wants regarding a DZ chapter of which she has personal knowledge, but I will take issue with some rather blatant misrepresentation of the facts.

For one, DZ is not a "teacher's college" sorority that is mainly represented on smaller campuses. It is true that DZ absorbed 3 smaller national sororities back in the 1950's and 60's that had a large number of chapters at state teacher's colleges. Some of these campuses already had a DZ chapter and some were smaller, non-viable chapters that were subsequently closed by DZ after the mergers. This is the reason that it appears that DZ has a larger number of closed chapters compared to other sororities. DZ is represented on a wide variety of campuses and our most recent colonizations have been at schools such as University of Florida, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Arizona State. These are obviously not smaller schools or "teachers colleges" (not that there is anything wrong with having chapters at these colleges.) At last count, DZ has 163 chapters, which makes it second only to ChiO in number of chapters.

Secondly, DZ does not have a negative reputation all over the country, as has been characterized by this poster. My own chapter was the largest in membership and has been one of the top 3 out of 11 in popularity on our campus for over 30 years. Of the 3 supposed "top tier' groups that were cited by this poster, 2 of them folded at my campus. Does this mean that these groups are not fine sororities? Of course not! It just means that reputation and chapter viability is different on each campus and many times changes over the years. I had never heard of the negative nicknames for DZ mentioned in her post and at Depauw. DZ has a fine reputation in the Great Lakes area, as well as in many other areas of the country, included TX, the area from which this poster claims her sorority membership. Although DZ does not have a large number of chapters in TX and LA, our chapters at Texas State, LSU, and U. of Houston (to name a few) are very strong and consistently make quota year after year.

Thirdly, the majority of posters on GC do not gossip about the posts of others, unlike her characterization of members making fun of your posts. Most of us are professional women that have better things to do with our time than such nonsense. I, personally, enjoy your posts and your intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for your daughter's experience. So, my advice...consider the source... and let the facts speak for themselves. Thankfully, my many Kappa friends do not share her experience.

In the Flame,
Mary

Yeah, I've always thought/assumed that Chi-O and Tri-Delts are the 2 best known sororities nationally. Like you said, it probably depends upon the region where you grew up. :)

I'm in no way defending kaikey or the content of that PM, but if you're referencing this thread, she's not asking for advice on depledging a "loser sorority." She was giving advice to the OP of that thread who called her org. the "loser sorority."

Again, I'm not defending her, but if you're going to point out facts to back you up, they should be accurate.

Exactly, it is based on the region you grew up with.

I mean in California, Alpha Phi has a strong presence, but it doesn't mean that in other parts of the country Alpha Phi is as strong.

It is unfortunate that Kaikey had to word things in such a way that it seemed like she was speaking for most people here...and it is not right to try and place blame on "teh cult" because as a member, I haven't said anything negative towards BamaDad.

But on the other hand, KaiKey is just stating her opinion, and if BamaDad feels that he wants to leave based on 1 person's opinion, they go ahead and don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. Like people have stated before if everyone left because of 1 negative thing someone said about us, then GC would be an empty place. Besides, this is the INTERNET, do you really give a rats ass what some person on the intarweb says about you?

You know what I thought was interesting about that thread? kaikey seemed to be sticking up for that chapter. (To an extent, anyhow.) I just thought it somewhat ironic that (based on my personal interpretation) her responses in that thread seem to be somewhat in contrast to the tone of her PM.

The difference is KaiKey made this personal to BamaDad, and she stated ad nauseum it wasn't just her opinion, but other GCers as well. And since you are a member of teh cult, she implicated you, too.

If she had posted her rantings on the board rather than in PM, then others could have refuted her proclamations. But she didn't, so I can understand BamaDad's reaction to it.

BTW, is she still a poster?

I DO know DZ at Bama, and I can say this: DZ at Bama is NOT weak. They may not have the history on campus of KD (who can top their own room in the basement of the President's Mansion?!?) or some of the other oldest chapters; however, DZ at Bama has been around a while and are doing quite well.

Apparently not. Of the few posts she left up they're from 2005. Interestingly enough she edited them in 2007. Things that make you go hmmmm.

I appreciate BamaDad's airing of this here if only for his benefit because no matter how much the internet is only the internet, it sucks to be told to shut up and go away and that "everyone" agrees with this.

I know the thread has gone in another direction, but I'd just like to say Delta Zeta is pretty strong at the U of Washington, while at my school, KKG National closed the chapter a few years ago because it had such trouble attracting members. (Not that I have anything against the organization in general, my mom is a Kappa, as are many of my close friends. I just wanted to reinforce that orgs are different at different schools.)

Time to wrap this subject up. Please understand my perspective. I am a non-Greek father whose knowledge of the Greek system largely derives from GC and Greek organization national headquarters websites. I assumed all Greek sororities were fairly equal in stature nationally, though I learned the reputation of a particular sorority can vary tremendously from campus to campus. Kristin appeared versed in her analysis of Delta Zeta and, most importantly, claimed to represent the consensus opinion of the Greek world. It appeared I was speaking naively, and perhaps foolishly, in a sophisticated forum of knowledgeable Greeks. Discretion led me to become a silent observer because GreekChat remains a great forum for discussion and insight for fathers like myself who actively support their daughter's interests, be it sports, politics, or sorority life. I pay DZ membership dues, attend DZ-sponsored events, pay visits to the DZ house, and support the local Bama DZ chapter. I support her DZ involvement no less than I support her interests in NCAA rowing, UA student government, and the College Republicans. I did not post this topic seeking sympathy. Save it for stranded whales. Your responses via public posts and private messages prove that Kristin's opinion does not represent the consensus opinion of the Greek world. Ye Olde Dad is thankful to learn he was not playing the fool. In exchange for your thoughts on the subject, I will refrain from advising the forum that my daughter is a DZ at the University of Alabama for the 10,000th time. Lets put this discussion in the archives. Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable Memorial Day for all of you and your families.....

David (BamaDadDZ)

Yep. Around my hometown Tri-Delt, KD, and Kappa's are the big three to be...and I still would have put Chi-O on top nationally. But I really don't think it's written down somewhere that there are three "finest" in the country...and if there was, it would change decade to decade anyway.