Ok, why would anyone go through the giving of blood, and wasting of staff time, just to put a do not use sticker on it? My god, it's not like a trip to the candy store, it's kind of a not so pleasant experience.

I totally agree that it's not worth half the hype it's getting, but it's a lil too easy to go, "give me a break! They did it just b/c they were intimidated or wanted to be cool?!" I have no idea if G Phi does this, but many sororities at Mizzou fine if you don't give or have 3 people give for you. My wallet would be motivation to do something like that.

I think that's just completely crazy! I can't donate blood because I'm anemic and have also been known to get woozy when someone tries to draw blood. I don't think I should have to explain myself, nor should I have to chase down 3 people to make up for my not donating.

To me, its not philanthropy if its something you're forced to do under threat of fines. Donate blood because you believe its the right thing to do.

I liken it to Greek Week sponsored hazing. Forcing you to do something to your body?

Which stupid sister gave the email to someone who was going to exploit it? They should expell her for being dumb.

I'm not attacking you at all, so I hope it's not seen as such. While I see your point that the sororities have made blood donation "mandatory," I have a problem with it being mandatoru--- this isn't like not coming to a meeting or attending a workshop-- this is an instrument invading your body and drawing out fluids. I'd like to see where in those chapters' bylaws this is mandatory, and what national officer approved those bylaws. An organization can't make someone do something they don't feel comfortable doing, or something they are not physically able to do. I mean, how many of us have ever been asked to put a hand on a bible, and if you weren't Christian, you were allowed to abstain, and still take part in the activity.... I feel this mandatory is more of an urban legend-like belief. There's no way a sorority regional director could approve something like that, and it's something that's become "required" through heresay.

Also this story has been posted in the news section of AOL. CNN too. This no longer a local story. Good grief. I can only imagine what the consequences will be for this girl.

Once again, I agree with kddani.

Pitt likes to brag that the Pitt Greek System is the biggest supply of blood in Pittsburgh (not a mean fete, considering the number of transplants that are done here). If you don't give blood, or find someone to give it for you, you're basically an outcast during the Blood Drive - it is truly a very, very competetive event.

Is donating blood good? Of course. Is the concept good? Yes. But is it a form of hazing? I think that needs to be investigated.

it made the Atlanta paper.

As for me...back in the 70's when WGa was having a blood drive, there was a competition between Greeks. I went and the nurse took my blood pressure 3 times before she said it was very low and I shouldn't give blood right then. But I still got "credit". No idea who won the competition that year.

Course my mom freaked out when I said I tried to give blood, but she wouldn't really say why. Turns out I have normally low blood pressure and with a usual body temp of 97.4,, I'm normally not normal.;)

This is how is USED to be at Pitt, too. Now, it's very cut throat.

I agree with you on that it should be investigated as whether it is a form of hazing but I've been taught that hazing is anything, physical or emotional, that makes you uncomfortable, hurts in in any shape or form or forces you to do something you don't want to do. If you want to go off that definition of hazing, then yes in a way it was a form of hazing.

I received an email on one of my listservs that was a PR statement from the national office of Gamma Phi Beta. It basically apologized and stated that it was the actions of one member, and emphasized that this member was/is not a leader of the chapter and that none of the chapter leaders condoned the email.

Apparently the way this email got out was because there is a girl in G Phi who has the exact same name as some other random girl at Mizzou. To send email to someone's student account you only have to type in their first and last name. So from what I've heard anyway this girl not in G Phi received the email and was appalled by it and sent it the The Missourian and some other paper.

I've also heard that since the email was sent on a listserve it got sent to a girl who had deactivated but hadn't been taken off the list yet. And apparently this girl has something against them and spread the email around.

Who knows...this story has only been out for like what, a day, and I am SO SICK TO DEATH of hearing about it on every news channel and every freakin' paper. I understand it's a big deal yes, but we can only talk about it SO much...I dunno...:confused:

And I'm with AXJules, I know that some houses fine for not giving blood...others put up a "wall of shame" with girls names who didn't give blood or have someone give for them, I know that I don't want to be THAT girl who was just too lazy to give blood and when we lose greek week it would be all my fault or something... anyway I could sit here and explain how competitive and cut throat our greek system and anyway all this is, but until you come here and go to school here, you won't understand so I'll just save my time. ;)

Nope, not an attack :) I'm just saying, when they sit at chapter and go, ok we all decided in order to win YOU ARE ALL GOING, and bringing 3 people. Otherwise the fine is $25." That's money I can't afford.

Wow... the Wall of Shame... that's hardcore!