Perception of your GLO
 

Well since certain people have made it clear to me that I shouldn't be honest about the chapters that are on my campus...what do you think the perception is of your own Organization?

Maggie,

Not really sure what you're refering to, but some months ago there was a spate of, "What do you think of (insert name of GLO here)" threads covering about every Greek Letter Organization under the sun.

Some things were said, some feelings were hurt and some people were mad and offended.

It was kind of a consensus (although not a rule) at that time that those kinds of questions belong under the organizational threads (Alpha, Beta etc.) listed on the first page and not on the General Topics such as Greek Life.

Since there are always new members signing on, this kind of topic seems to be resurfacing. Maybe that's why some folks are touchy.

FYI, when I was in school back in the dark ages, the Fuzzies were great on our campus.

Re: Perception of your GLO
 

Well, I love my GLO. If I didn't, I wouldn't have joined - right?

I love mine, and while some on campus look down on us because we're small compared to the rest, I know we have a wonderful, close-knit sisterhood and I can count on each and every one of my sisters to be there for me whenever I need them, and vice versa. I'm not too concerned with how we're perceived...I feel at home with these women, and that's all I care about.

Ummm... I doubt many people are going to come on here and say, "Oh I hate my GLO." Because if they didn't love it, they wouldn't be there... right? :D


But what do I think other people's perception of us is? Well, unfortunately, we are not the most popular on campus. People have a misconception of us that we can't seem to shake. I'd rather not say what that misconception is because I could inadvertently offend someone, but anyway...
We are small but we have a great sisterhood, and our numbers are growing :)

I think she was asking what you think other people on your campus think of your GLO...and I just confused myself with that sentence. :rolleyes:

On my campus, my GLO was perceived as the pretty party girls which was kind of amusing to us because we consistantly had some of the highest grades on campus. We were also always one of the top two or three; always doing very well during rush.

Immediately after my graduation, there were a few "weak" pledge classes which didn't help things for a couple of years (the two events are non-related! lol).

Right now, things are excellent. We're the biggest house on campus and are really thriving. It's funny though, when I went back for homecoming and talked to some actives of other GLO's, they all said the same thing; that the DZ's are considered the pretty partiers or the hot girls. But when I talked to my active sisters they talked about having some of the highest grades on campus. Full circle, I guess.

SSS1365-
I'm right there with ya. I personally love my organization. I am very proud of the fact that we don't have OOOOOOODDDDLLLEEESS of chapters, one at virtually every college and university. Our Executive Officers are quite selective, and always have been, concerning the schools they choose to grant a chapter. A sister of mine that graduated last year is in graduate school and works for the Greek Life office at a school that used to have a Sigma chapter. The university is begging our EO to reinstate, but we refuse until the system is cleaned up. Mind you, this is a large school with a well known, popular Greek system. Women who remain unplaced simply due to the large number rushing (yes, I said that, forgive me for not taking the time to think of something pc...it's early) are the ones most of us would KILL to have in our chapters. However, the Greek Admin there do not have values consistent with our own. I have heard of several other campuses that will only allow Sigmas because they know us to be women of character.

That said, I think it is sad to say that our chapters have somewhat of the same reputation everywhere...we all know what I mean. It is so funny, because 90% of the women in my chapter do not fit it. Just easy to say because it rhymes. (Take me for example-5'6'', 128...;) )

I am so proud to be a Chi Omega. Obviously some things have happened in the last year or so that have attempted to tarnish our image nationally, but I do not think that it worked. If anything I think we are stronger.

On my campus, we were always part of the "big 3." We were very proud to have pretty much our choice of PNMs. We were considered to be pretty, fun, smart girlsw who could party but still be down to earth.

Well not every Sigma chapter would have that reputation... I've met the ones from JMU, VA Wesleyan, UVA, and VCU (all in Virginia) and most of them are the pretty, popular type. And I know what you mean about "not fitting it"... I'm 5'6", 122 and a good amount of my sisters are much the same. So why is it that we get labeled? A fraternity guy here said something rude to one of my sisters once, but in a generalized way regarding my sorority, and he wouldn't have ever thought to say it to me! :rolleyes:

Of course, my sisters told me that when I was going through recruitment, they were shocked when they found out they got me... they thought I was gonna go KD!

The Tri-Sigs at radford don't fit that either. :) Some of them are my friends.

Anyway, I think we are seen as unknown. WE just got our charter. So... Most people don't care, some are interested, some hate us because I guess that means less numbers for them. Oh well.

Chapter-we were the babies. I had been initiated on Nov 18 and graduated Dec 8, so we were too young to tell. BUT they still have that reputation...to a certain extent. New chapters have growing pains and that is were they are...they are on the right track so soon they will be playing with the big dogs but for now they're on the porch...still in the learning curve.


Nationally-KD is a strong organization with good stats, we have more chapters in the south, like so many others but I feel we are well rounded and adaptable. Our National Council and National Officers Rock, we have great national support so that's why we are a solid group. I could go on for days, but I will not!

AOT

Sigma Sigma Sigma
 

Let me throw my two cents in about what I think about Sigma Sigma Sigma. It rocks, that's all there is to it!

When I was in school about 12 years ago, Sigma Sigma Sigma was by far the weakest link in our Panhel system. They had 8 very introverted sisters, the University assigned independant women to live in their housing because they couldn't fill it and I never recall them getting more than 4 or 5 girls during formal rush any of my 4 years there. :(

Fast forward 6 years after I graduated. I came back to campus and there were Sigma Sigma Sigmas everywhere I looked proudly wearing their letters. I remember talking to a DZ active and her roommate came up to say hi. Adorable, petite, nice girl. And I said to my sister, you HAVE to rush her when the seniors graduate in January! And my sister said, "She came to our prefs, but she wanted Tri-Sigma." Whoa, I thought, things sure have changed 'round here!

And that is the reason I think so highly of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Their Nationals saw a chapter on the brink of folding and instead of just giving it the final push in that direction, they sent people to rebuild. No way could that have been an easy job based on their reputation prior to recolonization, but they did it. Now they continue to be very strong at my alma mater, solidly in the top 4 or 5 and they even fielded a candidate for Homecoming Queen this year.

Good for them, and I wish them many more years of success!!

When I was in school Sigma was never the group that I guess SSS is known for...really the opposite was true at ECU.

I doubt they are really known for that, it's probably just a dumb name that stuck around.

Hey Sigmas :) You keep your chins up, ok? I remember this time, we were at a mixer with a fraternity who was really nice, but very naive, and they didn't think that the "nickname" we had around campus had gotten back to us (sorry D Phi E girls, I have to say it, Dogs, Pigs & Elephants.). So anyway, we're at this mixer and I don't even remember how it started, but all of a sudden me and two of my sisters start doing this skit/song thing like "I'm the Dog from D Phi E, woof woof, woof woof" and so on. It was hysterical, because these guys are like HOLY CRAP, THEY KNOW WHAT WE SAY!! And I turned to this guy and said, "Listen, I'm 5'8", 120 lbs...I'm not ugly, so I'm not a dog, and at this height and weight, does it look like pig or elephant stick either? Don't think so :)"

In any case, Tri Sigma is by far the most popular national on our campus, with the prettiest, sweetest girls. Not sweet, like annoying sweet, but really cool. They were my second choice going through rush, and if I hadn't gotten D Phi E, Sigma would've suited me too :) You guys rock :)

Thanks to everyone who has said such nice things about Sigma. Really helps to hear honest people say that they don't buy into the horrid "Tri PIGma" garbage. I know other chapters have those silly rhyming monikers as well, but I don't seem to hear them as often as I do mine.

And Killarney Rose, you are correct. We have some awesome, supportive International Officers. :D They are concerned about all their chapters and help all of them when they need it. My chapter fell on hard times in the early-to-mid-90's, and they sent a wonderful Exec to help us-our memebers still talk about her-many of us are just passing down the "We love Roselyn" mantras because the alumnae said such wonderful things about her. We went from the membership #s watchlist to 90+ members (PanHel. House total on my campus is 85) and receiving the Triennial Chapter Achievement Award (the 'best chapter Oscar'-means all aspects of the chapter are working smoothly, and we exceeded the goals set for us) just 4 short years later.

Sigma Sigma Sigma
Ever true to thee we'll be
Sisters to each other
Daughters good to thee

We don't have SSS on our campus. Maybe I'm clueless but I have no idea what this reputation is.

I think Theta Chi's image can be kind of bad. Because one of our objectives is "alma mater first" we can sometimes i guess come off as trying to run the school/ kiss ass. Although our symbol-a rattle snake- intimadates people sometimes. So its not outside the realm of posibility that at some schools we might be seen as hardcore or the thug chapter.

WELL GUESS WHAT- ALL YOU SIGMA SIGMA SIGMAS- My sister pledged this sorority at Ft. Hayes State College in Kansas. She had her pick of every sorority on campus but that is the one she loved. They called it Tri Sig. She was so sad, because we moved to Texas and they didn't have a chapter there!

Well no tri sigs here so I'll just stay out of that entirely.

As for my chapter of Beta, we're definetly seen as the smart, involved guys on campus. We're the nice guys who are gentlemen, and are respectful. I'd definetly say that the administration loves us, and that we are well represented in nearly everything but IFC.
We however arent' cosidered the "hot" guys on campus - which isn't to say that we're ugly b/c we're not and keep in mind we do have four Ag houses on campus and the girls never stop complaining about functions they have to with those houses (Sorry Farmhouse, AGR, AGS, and AGN) and we're about middle of the pack when it comes to social events, but talking with our social chair recently he said that is changing from when he was a freshman. Winning things like Homecoming this year and also Anchor Splash, and other stuff is helping too. I also think that our good turnouts of my pledge class at froshes is giving the freshmen sorority ladies a good impression too. Now if only more of them would just decide to come to one of our parties when they hear about them...

From what I've heard though, several girls have told me this (and this is the G rated version) "you party around with Sig Ep and SAE, but marry Beta's" I'm not sure how that works b/c they won't get to know us early on but I guess it just means we're marriage material.

I just wanted to stress to everyone that when reading the threads about your respective organizations, please be mature. We are all adults and need to realize that we need to stop being naive and oblivious to the fact that every chapter of a GLO is different. Sure, I would hope that everyone would have good things to say about my sorority, but I have the maturity to realize that not every chapter can be the greatest. People do have their opinions, and I respect them for that. However, I hate it when people blatantly put bad things up to piss off someone from that organization. Bottom line: be mature. It's annoying when people can dish it out but can't take it when it comes back to them. :rolleyes:

Ditto, Kristi


I have chosen not to answer some of the "how is my chapter at your school" questions, as I feel like if you have nothing nice to say don't say it at all. I know I would be hurt if someone said AXO is a sorority of fat girls etc...I know people want to know the good and the bad but I just can't bring myself to say the bad.
If you do have something negative to say- please put it tactfully or as tactfully as you can.

Don't let those nicknames grt you down......everyone has them. We were the "Chi-HOS...."

More on SSS......the year I pledged ('90) SSS was new at Kent. As is often the case with a brand new chapter, they struggled for quite a while. But the turnaround has been amazing. The girls who did join were very dedicated to the sisterhood and things started moving in the right direction for them. Now I go up to campus and there are just the most adorable girls walking around in SSS letters. I am really happy for them.

I didn't quite understand where the post from AXiD came from but just my own note....one of my closest friends in the world was president of AXiD at Kent and she is awesome. They were really cool, down-to-earth, fun girls.

I just hope some peolpe will learn the difference b/w honesty and being just plain rude. There is a way to say anything tactfully.

when i first joined my sorority (AGD) i didn't have a whole lot of insight into the greek system. i definetely just picked where i felt at home and decided to stick with the girls who i felt like i belonged with. but a little while after initiation, during chapter mettings and stuff, i learned how the chapter was REALLY doing. needless to say i was a little bummed. HOWEVER, seeing that most of the girls who joined up that semester joined for the same reasons i did, there was an amazing amount of support and spirit to make our chapter better. so we did. and in less than a years time, we almost doubled our chapter size, got a great group of fall pledges (quota plus one), and got a lot of great attention from the rest of the campus greek system. so, i mean, early on my perception wasn't the greatest, but we took that and made it into what we wanted it to be. now i know that we're one of the chapters on campus with a great reputation.

marissa

Ok, thats totally not what i ment by the question. It was more like "how do you think OTHER GLO's percieve YOUR organization". (and i am only posting this bc i got some really nasty emails from people bc I was honest about what i thought about a certain chapter on MY campus....which i stated in the begining was just my opinion)

When I was in school, many of my sisters were concerned with what they thought was a negative perception of our sorority. Many of their friends said things like, "I didn't think you were in that sorority because you're so pretty." or something else equally stupid. I thought that if these people were really friends they would never say anything so insulting. :rolleyes:
Ironically, almost every single sister had a story like that which raised the question, if each one of us was told we're pretty, who were the unattractive girls who filled the reputation. There were none! Anyone who knew us, knew that our sorority was full of cool, fun, smart, talented, and pretty women. It can be very difficult for any chapter to overcome a negative reputation or a stereotype like the ones mentioned in previous posts. Now, almost ten years later, my chapter is still thriving! So don't let a negative reputation take time away from focusing on other more important things like recruitment, mixers, and building bonds of sisterhood. :)

Until this year I had no idea what people really thought of AGD's on my campus. This year tho, I learned that we are TOTALLY respected on campus. The other sororites think that were are sweet and nice and always there to help out another org, and the guys all think that we are fun and sweet and cute and kinda like how Beta said we are the girls you marry. Not to say we aren't a lot of fun to hang out with and stuff, b/c we are and we're friends with EVERYONE and every chapter!! I really am glad that I got to know how people percieve us b/c when the chapter gets you down (face it, it does sometimes) you can just look around and say "wait a second, we really are pretty excellent!"

DukeBlue-You are in Duke Students For CHoice?? I help found it here at EMU!!

katey,

that's 'bout the same revelation i made about our chapter too. kick butt. that's always great to hear.

alpha gam love and mine,
marissa

Squirrley Girl- I went to your house once when I got lost going to the BGSU greek store!! The girls I met seemed really sweet and just like us! GO ALPHA GAM!! Yay for being the sweet, fun, nice and cool girls!!

I love Theta to death! All the women I've met in my state who are Thetas have been awesome....very classy and sweet women. My sisters...I can always count on them no matter what. They've been supportive of me through every action I've taken, through a tough family death, through a really hard period when I was struggling with my relationship with my significant other. They make everything better. I can immediatley run to my chapter house, step inside, and I will have all ears who will listen to me and support me.

Unfortunately, my school on the whole does not see Theta the way I see my organization. The perception of us is snotty, and typical sorority-girl. We are pretty frustrated with that, because people think that we are only elitists when really we're not. Many people don't give us a chance, and just write us off as a snobby bunch.

We do well in Rush (never a year where we haven't made quota) and some people are jealous and talk bad about us.

Oh well...as long as my sisters and I know who we really are, then it doesn't matter much!

However, at my school, Kappa, Tri-Delta, A-Phi and ADPi have supported us Thetas through and through and they are wonderful!!