Rush, Race, Sororities
 

OK, I'll ask the question. If the goal is to integrate college sororities, why do the black and white sororities have separate rushes? If all the young women went through rush together, at the same time, and saw all the houses, together, would that not solve the "problem"? Yes, every greek house has the right to choose their own members. Do the sororities get to see any non-white candidates as rush is structured now? Are any white women given the opportunity to see the unique features of black sororities? When the Alpha Gams got hammered last year at Georgia because a black candidate was not given a bid, the sorority's lawyer shut down the University's sanctimony very quickly. He simply asked if it was true that the university itself held two separate rushes, one for blacks and one for whites. The answer was yes. The universities should not try to tell any sorority who to bid. For the record, I do not care whether sororities integrate or not; I want them to have the members they want. My chapter has several black members, but that's no one's business but ours. Fraternities have a different rush structure.

Campuses hold recruitment efforts for those who are interested in Panhellenic sororities, and recruitment for women who are interested in other types of sororities. Sometimes these recruitment efforts occur at the same time, sometimes not. It is up to the INDIVIDUAL to attend the functions of the sorority she is interested in, regardless of her background.

[Sniff, sniff] Do I smell segregation?
Pike, I've always wondered the same thing.
For some reason WGLO's, BGLO's, serviceGLO's, religiousGLO's, etc. do not want to work together. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

Seeing as how NPHC collegiate sororities and fraternities only take members as sophomores-seniors, it wouldn't make sense to hold rush with NPC/NIC organizations. However, on some campuses, 'mixed rushes' are taking place. I can't speak for their success, but changes are being made.

AS STATED AD NAUSEUM, GLOS (NPC/IFC) AND BGLOS (NPHC) ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT!! One of the biggest differences in the way rush is conducted. Another difference is the attitude of prospectives when selecting an organization with whom to affiliate.

Maybe there are other ways to familiarize students of all races with the various types of orgs but holding rushes/recruitment events together is not the answer!

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

Uhhh, no. A Phi O on my campus always assisted with the bloodmobile along with a "social" sorority and there was never any problem. And I know some of the DZ's on here have mentioned having "pink and green" joint projects with AKA.

I definitely think that rushing for NPC/NIC/NPHC should take place at the same time. If this argument can be used to make NPC see the merits of deferred rush, I'm all for it....bravo to NPHC for always having this policy to begin with. I absolutely fail to see the point of giving someone a bid when you don't even know if they can cut it academically in college. That's what you're there for.

This is my observation, please correct me if I'm wrong-
BGLOs want someone to be deeply interested in a single group before "rushing". It's up to the person to learn about each group.
WGLOs want you to see every group the same amount & in detail, and have you narrow down you choices during "rush"

Assuming I'm on track, how could those opposite ideals be combined? Recruitment for both orgs are based on very different principles. I'm all for combo recruitment, but I don't see it working well.
Heidi
PS- don't flame me if I'm wrong, these are just my perceptions based on GC http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

NPHC rush (is that even what it's called?) and any other GLO rush are polar opposites. And both have their strong points and some weak points.

I do think it would be a good idea to have some sort of general info session for all of the GLOs every fall. And I mean very generic..

like "This is what the NPHC sororities are...They do these kinds of community service....If you are interested in them, you need to seek information by doing research, talking with members...."

"These are our NPC and/or local (or other) sororities....If you are interested in one of these organizations, you will need to sign up for Rush..."

Share some fundamental differences in the two types. I think it would just make all of the prospective members aware of all their choices.

And this is sort of off-topic, but

I am almost positive that one of the freshman girls on my residence hall my 1st year joined an NPHC sorority. (And I do mean joined in the sense that she went through her process and was initiated). Is the sophomore-senior a strictly enforced thing with all NPHC orgs?

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SilverTurtle

Phi Beta Fraternity: National Professional Association for the Creative & Performing Arts

[This message has been edited by SilverTurtle (edited June 09, 2001).]

You're probably right. Most of the time it just requires a specific number of semester hours. If you fulfill the requirements as a 2nd semester freshmen, then that's possible.

I believe their recruitment process is called "intake"...Am I correct?

At my school you can rush NPHC as a freshman second semester as long as you have over a 2.5. And people are right about the NPC/IFC and NPHC having different kinds of rushes. Efen though we do hold are at the same time of year/ NPHC rush is more like a business interview while NPC/IFc is more like a get-together.

Also, as an Alpha Gam I would just like to say that ONE girl at UGA said she didnt want her in because she was black. That sorority has had many minorities including blacks i beleive. So one girl's ignorance ruined rush for the chapter.

Thanks for the info.. it was 2cnd semester, so that would make sense.

The main reason I remember is because she was the first person I knew personally who belonged to a BGLO (or at least that I knew belonged to one), and it was kind of like my introduction into these 9 organizations I had barely heard of.



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SilverTurtle

Phi Beta Fraternity: National Professional Association for the Creative & Performing Arts

NPHC orgs do not recruit! Prospectives seek us; we do not seek them.

HeidiHo, yes you are on the right track!

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

And....you'll never guess what a NPC sorority girl told me once!

Me: Hi, I'm interested in rushing for a sorority.

DZ:Yeah, you should join one! I think they are some minority sororities. You ought to check into one.

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif

I learned that a lot of people think that it is very easy for a black female to "just join" an NPHC group. I was having dinner with some friends. One is in a coed literary society, and the rest just became familiar with Greek life since arriving at college. We started discussing NPHC groups, and they were like, "you mean, black females aren't guaranteed admission?". I thought it was funny indeed.

No, matter of fact I believe that it is harder in general. That's why I chose to rush for a NPC sorority over an NPHC one. Visiting the AKA board reinforced that belief.

What made you think that? Just curious. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

What are you http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif about? NO I am lead to believe that your anger stems from being "pigeonholed" into joining a minority organization. Is that correct? You should have enlightened this young lady that your interests might also stem to NPC sororities and not just NPHC.

As McCoyred and others have correctly stated, aligning NPC and NPHC sororities' rush/intake processes won't work on many levels. Instead there should be activities that take place, i.e. Community Service that are inter NPC & NPHC. That is the way bridges will be crossed.

At Wittenberg, there was Greek Week and sometimes the Kappas would join in as a team with the NPC/IFC orgs. True unity means working to address the needs of ALL people.

well, apparently she was on the right track. didn't you say in one of your earlier posts that you recently disaffiliated from your sorority?

regardless of race, color or creed, i think we, as members of sororities, pretty much know who is going to fit well where. sometimes there are a few that surprise us, but most of the time we're pretty well on.



[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited June 10, 2001).]

No, matter of fact I believe that it is harder in general. That's why I chose to rush for a NPC sorority over an NPHC one. Visiting the AKA board reinforced that belief.

What made you think that? Just curious. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

[/B][/QUOTE]

Uhh...if you had actually READ my post, you would have realized that I KNOW that it is more difficult to join an NPHC organization than an NPC.

Before you reply to a post, it usually helps to READ the post. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

She knew better, I was in the process in quitting ZTA (NPC), when I asked her that.

I guess she thought I wasn't happy in that sorority because it was "white" and referred me to DST and ZPB. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Well, excuse me! That was the way I interpreted it.

I think that this, http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif, stems from the fact that even if the girl had not of known that she deactivated or whatever, SH80 was maybe like a freshman, the girl shouldnt have automatically assumed that just because she is balck she would want to go NHPC.

Ah, as Felix Unger so eloquently said,

"When we assume, we make an ASS out of U and ME." http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by 33girl (edited June 10, 2001).]

33girl......exactly http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

this is just a disclaimer....

getting into an NPHC organization IS harder than getting into NIC/NPC organizations. we dont have rules about legacies, or house quotas, or recruit members...

but that should NEVER be a reason not to pursue membership in an NPHC organization!!!! If XYZ organization is in you heart and you wholeheartedly agree with the principles of the organization, you should go for it!!! never choose another organization (or career path, or school...) JUST because you think its an "easy" way in.. THAT'S A COP OUT!

also.....

i agree with whoever said that we should have a GENERAL greek informational where students get to see ALL the greek organizations and get basic information.

but a combined "rush" would never work for 2 reasons:

1. the rules in regards to potential, new and existing membership differ between the councils - NPHC, NIC, NPC..... (ie quotas, recruitment....)

2. although the general rules in regards to membership are the same within the divine 9, all 9 of the organization have their own MIP (membership intake process), so even within our OWN council we cant all do intake together let alone with all the other greeks.

Can I get a big "ditto" here? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

SH80 -- is there anyone that you HAVEN'T tried to insult yet? Oh - let me guess - you're just trying to keep it light -- http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

let's just clear up a few inaccuracies. first, the black women voluntarily withdrew from rush after the 1st round. secondly, she did not file any charges against the sorority or the university. the statements were made by a member of the chapter that was supposedly privy to the conversations where race was concerned. the university did not make any attempt to tell any chapter who to bid or not bid. only after a member of the chapter came forward with the claims of racial discrimination did the university get involved because to deny anyone membership soley based on race is not only wrong but illegal. the decision came out the way that it did because all of the 'evidence' was based on heresay not because of the 'white rush' and 'black rush'. our systems are separated by PROCESS not color. there are members of various racial and ethnic backgrounds in each system. but, it does much more harm than good when people come in here and make sweeping generalizations about a campus and a situation that they know nothing about. in short, please get your facts straight before you get on the net and put someone's chapter or school on blast!

Wow -- this bag of "DITTO's" sure is big!!

Good job, dstbrat!

Hmmmmmm....strange that someone would think that being that it doesn't work that way for white women looking to join NPC sororities. Interesting.

True.