Greek Stigma
 

Has anyone ever been treated badly in other organizations because they are greek? I have been part of an organization on campus since the beginning of my freshman year, and since I joined a sorority, respect for me has gone down the toilet. I have to miss part of one of our weekly meetings because of a class, and while I've told them repeatedly its for a class, I get harassed, and someone usually makes a crack about sororities almost every time I leave to go to class.
I can;t wear letters to meetings because my coach specifically asked me not to, and I'm not allowed to wear letters when we travel either, because they say that they don't want us "badly represented". Recently, I received a diminished role in the group, and when I asked why, they told me it was because they think I take my house more seriously than I do them. I miss meetings because I'm in an academic class, and I have worked my way up from the bottom of this group since freshmen year. I love my house, but I keep it separate from this group and I've worked too hard for this team to just leave.

Has anyone here experienced similar problems? And what did you do about them?

Wow, I've never had that happen. I was a member of several campus groups during my time, but they appreciated my being Greek. It often gave a different perspective than they were used to. They also appreciated the connections that I (along with other Greeks) had on campus.

I have never had that happen, but it would make me feel bad.

Is this a debate, mock trial, model UN, or quiz bowl team?

It seems like you have competing cultures here....I don't want to stereotype, but yeah, I could imagine the culture of the above type orgs not taking kindly to Greeks (at certain schools).

Do you feel like your coach is part of the problem?

It is along those lines, I've mentioned my school here, so I'd rather not point out the team. And yes, the coach does encourage the teams behavior.

If you were my daughter, I would advise you to elevate your concerns to whomever the coach reports to. At my school (from what I recall) the Debate Society coach was a university employee, who reported to the Director of Student Programs, who reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

I imagine that are your school, on some level, the Greek Affairs person/people/office ultimately report to the VP of Student Affairs as well.

Seems to me like you should be able to sit down with all parties, discuss the issue, and come to a peaceful resolution.

It seems like borderline discrimination and harassment to me.

I get only respect.

If people don't respect you than your pair of stand-ups is too long. 5" or go home.

Wow, Ive never heard of that either. While the concept may be foreign to me (only because I have not had the experience that the OP has had), it only further perpetuates the stereotype of Greek life in general. People tend to dismiss what they don't understand completely, and often times ridicule. I say, if your proud to be Greek, be proud. Don't allow this discrimination (for lack of a better term) keep you from representing something you are obviously dedicated to and have passion for.

I took Soc 101 my junior year and it was a predominantly freshmen class. Our teacher was young, maybe in his mid 20s, and very vocally anti-Greek. I sat with several of my sisters and we all wore letters at some point on another to class of course. He made several remarks throughout the semester about never understanding why people go Greek, Greeks only get drunk and sleep around, etc. It was disheartening in a class of 300 freshmen who may have been considering going Greek at some point. I believe he had been an undergrad at a school in the south, so I don't know if his undergrad experience or his WVU experience led him to believe this! Nevertheless, I'd be so annoyed when he made comments.

Is there a dress code for this organization at meetings? If not, why are you being restricted from wearing your letters? Last time I checked, unless something is extremely offensive, a professor or coach has little room to say anything about what you wear.

If I was in either this situation or the one of the OP, I think I would speak up. I would definitely approach the professor after class, and if the problem persisted, I would be inclined to say something during class. But either way, this would honestly make me mad.

Your professors/coaches are singling you out and making fun of you in front of your peers, and that should NEVER be the case, no matter which organization you're a part of. Imagine you're on the basketball team, and your professor says, "I don't know why anyone would join the basketball team, they all sleep around and do drugs." Would you not be just as mad? Is it still just as ridiculous as saying something negative about Greek life? Yes, it is. They're attacking your personal life choices in a situation where learning is supposed to take place.

Agreed. Like I said, this should not be happening at all, and it especially should not be brought up in meetings or in a class. How is that at all relevant to what is being taught or discussed? Talk to your coach, and talk to their supervisor if necessary.

Haha.

I just can't believe people catch shit for being greek.

Well bless your heart, hun, I'm at school in the Northeast. :)

I was named to Mortar Board as a senior, and was the only Greek. The President was pretty snotty to me. She had apparently an issue with the idea that some college students work, get good grades, participate in campus and community activities...and also can be Greek.

I ignored her completely.

Do your thing, be yourself and ignore the twits.

That kind of thing is relatively unheard of at my school because all the major non-Greek organizations are usually run by Greeks. But that sucks, it just shows how ignorant so many people are.

True.. but pick your battles.

Fighting with a professor/coach is just not worth it when all you have to do is wear something else.

True, pick your battles. So why is the professor choosing this one?

He could leave her alone, also, and just ignore the fact that she's wearing what she wants to. If other people don't like it, too bad for them. If any professor asked me to remove my letters or not wear them because they didn't like Greek life, that's too bad for them, because there's no way I'd change my life for someone who doesn't agree with something I do. Especially if part of that something is simply wearing some funny-looking letters on a shirt.

If the coach is encouraging this behavior, you are definitely being harassed - especially if participation in the team is something you are doing because of the career you are going to go into and therefore you don't want to just tell him to f.o. and drop out. Do everything Senusret said.