These chicks need their heads examined!!
 

I found this in Online Hermes, but I didn't see it on U-Wire.

New reality show to feature 'Sorority Life'
MTV in California to film, will air program this summer
By Joe Helfirch for the California Aggie

(U-WIRE) — The popular music television station MTV has chosen a University of California at Davis sorority to be featured in a new television series in July.

The show, tentatively titled "Sorority Life," will mostly focus on the sorority, its members and the traditions that are a part of life there. This series, highlighting the daily drama of sorority life, will be an account through the eyes of sorority members and pledges.

For the past several days, the greek system here has been abuzz with rumors and speculation as to who the show would cover. Rebecca Sanford-Smith of Kappa Alpha Theta said it had become common knowledge among the greek community that Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish-interest sorority, had been selected by MTV.

"We can't deny that things go on, like hazing," said show creator Sergio Meyers in an interview with Daily Variety. "My position is to provide an opportunity for members to come forward and tell their side of things. We really want to get in there and look at how a more than 100-year-old tradition has been somehow preserved."

An MTV spokesperson said there may be a follow-up series on a fraternity, depending on the success of this production.

According to the UC Davis website, this is a group that sprang up when the A E Phi chapter there closed.

Great ... why do I suspect there was a very good reason A E Phi left campus, and these girls aren't the best representative of Greek life?

Given the popularity of "reality" based shows plus this being on MTV, I am sure that there will be situations that are not sanctioned by their school's administration, HQ, ....

Are they a local "Greek" organization? That would explain how they are getting away with it... But will MTV show disclaimers that they are a local group and not under the auspices (did I spell that right?) of a national headquarters? Yeah, right!

This leads me to believe that MTV is willing to promote untrue sterotypes about what fraternities and sororities are like for publicity purposes and do not have to face the consequences. Greek life can be such a positive influence but hey, MTV would find it boring if they focused on positive things like high scholarship, leadership, philanthropy, community involvement, etc. Many of the viewers may not see a distinction between what locals can get away with and NPC/NIC Greeks can't/shouldn't.

I know what my IHQ's reaction if one of our chapters even said the letters MTV!

yay drama!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, maybe it'll be a good thing. I think that will show greek life in a positive way and that the media is starting to come around. Why do I think that, I'm an optimist thats why.

UC Davis SAEP
 

FYI--so you at least know who you're talking about! ;)

Link to all Davis sororities UC Davis Greek Life

Link to SAEP Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi--local @ UC davis

All I can say is should be interesting...

Even if there is a disclaimer that says this sorority is local and yada yada, I bet it still won't mean much to a lot of people...the ones who don't know anything about Greek life. They'll still think all sororities and fraternities are the same. It's been an ongoing battle to try and explain to my boyfriend (who's not American) what Greek organizations are really about, and I still don't think he's grasped the local/national concept yet.

No surprise here that they had to go to a local. No sorority with an outside governing body would touch this with a ten foot pole!

Guess what though? I have to admit I will probably watch this :rolleyes:

I've never been a huge fan of MTV, but this ticks me off. I'm seriously at a loss for words. This local is going to go on a huge TV station and misreperesent millions(?) of legit greek organizations.
When I first read the article I thought that Theta was going to be on the show. :eek: I was like "WHAT?!" I'm glad I reread it.
H~~~~

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HeidiHo
I've never been a huge fan of MTV, but this ticks me off. I'm seriously at a loss for words. This local is going to go on a huge TV station and misreperesent millions(?) of legit greek organizations.
When I first read the article I thought that Theta was going to be on the show. :eek: I was like "WHAT?!" I'm glad I reread it.
H~~~~ [/QUOTE

Heidi, I thought that too!! I was like, OMG Theta's going to do this?? But then I read on:)

Okay now I am confuesed. Is NPC a governing body?? I thought it was like a union. Like a, "hey, we have common interests, lets work together so none of us gets screwed, because if one falls, we all fall" type thing.

Typical MTV. I wonder how long it takes before they show a pillow fight with squealing girls bouncing on beds in pjs. Geeze, they should stick to music and let National Lampoon cover the Greeks...lol.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AGDLynn

[B] Are they a local "Greek" organization? That would explain how they are getting away with it... But will MTV show disclaimers that they are a local group and not under the auspices (did I spell that right?) of a national headquarters? Yeah, right!.......
Many of the viewers may not see a distinction between what locals can get away with and NPC/NIC Greeks can't/shouldn't.



Ok, I am kind of upset by your comment about locals would do this and nationals would not. You are implying that locals would want to get on national television and bad mouth their organization/Greek life in general, but yet nationals would not do the same. Just for your information, and anyone else who has posted negative comments about locals/up and coming nationals, I love my organization just as much as you love yours and "Most" of us would NOT put down our orgs. on national television. Everytime there is something in the news about "NATIONALS" hazing and openly discriminating, you don't see us locals saying, "Yeah make sure you differentiate that they are nationals and the locals had nothing to do with it." Last semester when ALL of the NPHC at our school was put on probation b/c of hazing you didn't catch the locals talking about, "Yeah those nationals are at it again."

Personally, I think that MTV is known for sensationalizing many of the stories that they cover.. And why not.. it makes good tv.. good tv eyals good rating. But IMHO, I don't think that MTV will give a fair sided view on this.
If they were really going to do a story on greek life, why not approach the HQ of a GLO or the Pan or IFC or anything HQ... Give equal coverage to both sororities and fraternities, mutlicultural orgs, ect. We all know that as one member does not represent an entire org, neither does one chapter. I don't know if it's an NPC rule, but I know we are not allowed to talk to media as a representative of the entire org. I think that it's a good policy, and for the most part keeps you from saying/doing anything stupid and that can be taken the wrong way.
I'm not saying that approaching a local is a bad thing, but i don't know if locals are governed nationally (hence the name local??) and therefore can represent themselves.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
[B]Eirene,

I don't think AGDLynn intended her words as an insult to locals. The problem is that the general public doesn't know the difference between a local GLO and a national GLO. Whereas national GLO's are under the authority of a large governing body, most locals are not. Our rules are much more strict than many local regulations, and we are not allowed to do many of the things that some locals can. Drinking at rush parties is one example (for national sororities anyway). And, although hazing is illegal on college campuses, locals get away with it sometimes more easily because they don't have to answer to any national headquarters or worry about losing their charter if someone at HQ finds out that they are doing something wrong. I realize that not all local chapters are that way, and that most local members are very proud and respectful of their group's reputation, but - just like with national GLO's - there are always a few bad apples in the bunch.

At any rate, I think what AGDLynn was trying to say is that she is afraid MTV will show the local sorority partying hard with their letters displayed for the world to see, acting in ways that a national sorority would never be allowed to, but that most viewers won't realize that there is a difference between the local and national groups. Most viewers will not know that the national Greeks have strict rules prohibiting some of the very things that some local Greeks do on a daily basis. (For example, the National Greeks have been prohibited by their HQ to participate in anything that MTV is filming.)

Anyway, I just wanted to try and clarify things a little. I hope you aren't offended by me jumping in. :) One of my best friends is in a local sorority, and I am very impressed by their organization. :D

*This* should be interesting...!

If such a show airs and highlights Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, not only is this going to hurt the public's image of the greek system as a whole, it's going to hurt AEPhi specifically - because of the local's history and the similarity in letters.

All national GLOs (AFAIK) have rules in place governing things like hazing, drinking/smoking while wearing letters, etc. - designed to protect the reputation of the national group and all its chapters. But with locals - while many of them have similar rules in place (mine certainly did), not all local GLOs may have such rules.

I'm certainly not holding my breath waiting for a good presentation of the greek system from MTV.

I think that MTV is very entertaining with the Real World. I hope that most viewers are aware that editing can change the entire story. This will not be a documentary, and I hope they don't advertise it as one. I also hope that these women represent themselves well because to many viewers this will be there only information about sororities. Cross your fingers.

Yes, DZR..that's what I was getting at. I know that the majority of locals have great pride in their organizations.

It doesn't really matter if a group is a local, national or international, we are all affected by actions of others..hopefully for the positive things we do.

Is that a fact?
 

I don't know about fully participating on MTV as a Greek, however I do know that many national organizations make members clear it through their HQ before they do any type of media.

I do know that NPC has prohibited NPC groups from participating in this project, it's been all over the country, they've been soliciting sororities on tons of campuses and it just is sad that finally someone caved. The local group probably though, "wow, we get to be on MTV and get exposure". I hope they reconsider and haven't started taping. Anything that happens could be construed negatively. I'm sure it's a great group, but looking through their pics, the one that stands out is a pic of 3 girls with bras on their heads....I'm sure MTV could make a great story out of that! I'm sure they think of hazing immediately, whether it's just a fun silly girl thing or not.

Just my thoughts.

Eirene: I agree with AGDLynn. Let's face it, Local's can do what they wish b/c they only represent that one group; it can be that one chapter or only a few chapters.

When in a NPC group we reflect on the entire 26 group's membership not just one chapter or a few chapters.

Just like on 20/20 last year regarding hazing; every group was a local. That doesn't mean that only locals haze or that national groups do not. But there is a huge difference b/w national and local groups that is never explained.

MTV will utlimatley make money off misinforming their public and we as Greeks have just one more mountian to climb. It goes on every day but aggrevates me to no end that national groups get into enough trouble without us being lumped in the same group as all locals.

..
 

I think most greeks that are in national GLOs are snobs and have elitest attitudes when comparing themselves to locals.

The group of girls that are going to appear on MTV used to be national, didn't they? You should check out "fraternal news groups" on yahoo and you will find that national orgs have plenty of problems. This week alone a ZBT brother at Alfred was found dead behind the house, two TKE pledges died in a car wreck and a rushee at U of Md was found dead.

Do you really think nationals have that much control over their chapters?
How come half of your chapters are inactive?
Didnt every national GLO actually atart out as a local?

Re: ..
 

Amen!!! :D

A few thoughts....
 

I only said that this group used to be A E Phi so people would not think they were an A E Phi interest group (I wouldn't even WATCH MTV if I was an interest group trying to get a charter these days, LOL). I agree with Eirene, I don't think we should immediately bash SAEP because they happen to be local, formerly national. There are lots of reasons why national groups become local and they DO NOT all have to do with disciplinary measures. Many of the sororities at Dartmouth (for one) went local on their own, not because they were disciplined or "bad" chapters.

What I am really surprised about is that UC Davis - and isn't Davis the town where you aren't allowed to smoke - is letting them go through with it. My personal thought is that they are setting these girls (and the Greek system there) up for a fall by letting them do it.

Optimist - it is a "conference" not really a governing body. They have agreements for things that involve more than one group participating (like rush and expansion) but cannot make rules for the individual groups. Kind of like - all the stores at the mall can set their own prices and decide what they are going to sell, but they all have to follow the mall management's opening and closing hours and signage limits, etc.

showstopper_1908 - you're absolutely right! This past season I think Mike wore a Theta Chi t-shirt in every episode. However, they probably could not have filmed Mike at his fraternity house if he went back to visit or at a fraternity party. Basically people can participate as individuals but a chapter as a whole cannot.

P.S. I was in a local so I do understand the local side.

SHULTZZ:

Why would it matter if they were national?

And yes a national organization does have a lot of control over chapter activities. It is called organizational structure and we have many alumnae that are incharge of the guiding of our chapters. That is why we have organizational goals and objectives, we all strive to follow the path to strengthen our entire group.

Half of our chapters are not closed.

Not all national organizations began as locals.

I find it funny how when I say that we are different that you are defensive and then back it up with differences. I mean really, local groups and national groups are not the same; like NPHC and NPC are not the same. Similiar issues, different organizations!

Not bad, different.

Like I said, we have enough issues of our own without being lumped into the same group. And you know after this MTV thing, Parents everywhere will be asking more and more and using the MTV thing as evidence...and they will not understand that is was one group, one chapter, one school...

I say let the games begin.
Would it be really nice if MTV did this in a good light and am I hoping that they do...yes. But reality comes back and 60% of me thinks this is gonna hurt. I would have a better feeling if maybe this was going to be on NBC or something. MTV has done alot of good things (ie, telling the Matthew Shepard Story) but alot of it can be overdramatized stereotypical stuff too.
My thing is, is this sorority going to be ready for any consequences that may happen after the show appears? Neg. publicity, if they are on a Greek Body Council, possibly being excluded from it, and maybe just being snubbed and not taken seriously as individuals and a org as a whole, by the fraternitites and sororities at UC-Davis, but by the student body also? Is the price of "Fame" worth this?
Shultzz... I think National Orgs (whether NPHC,NIC or NPC) have their chapters fairly well under wrap. Obviously we know we're not perfect cuz yeah, you do hear about alot of tragic incidents that happen in different chapters. You always have to take the good with the bad. As far as having half our chapters being inactive, I dont think so. I think that most orgs have like 18-25% inactive, maybe a few more, which i think shows that they do keep usin check. Would it be good business for them to keep every chapter active with the bad ones running around and doing stuff they should being doing just to say, yeah we have every chapter active? Nope. Chapters are given a chance to straighten up, and if they dont, its sad but you have to go bye bye. Whether its from low numbers or bad incidents.

You got a problem with pillow fights? :) Don't come to our house then.

I should add though that unlike in that great classic Animal House, we DO keep our clothes on :)

Re: Is that a fact?
 

Showstopper,

What I meant by my statement is that National GLO's have been told by their Headquarters that they are not to allow MTV to film any type of "documentary" on Greek Life using one of their chapters as an example.

As for individual Greeks on the Real World, that's a different type of thing because the network isn't going into the national organization's house and filming its day to day activities.

;) Too funny!

Re: Re: Is that a fact?
 

Question: What if MTV was filming the Real World in the citiy of one of its cast members who is greek...would that person have to deaffiliate or something, or could they still be involved in their chapter while filming?

Re: Re: Re: Is that a fact?
 

They could still be involved...MTV would not be allowed to show chapter meetings or chapter activities. The only reason I can think of that they would have to go temporarily inactive for the semester is if the chapter had very strict mandatory live-in rules. I think most of the RW'ers end up taking a semester off school, even if they are in the same city, because the jobs they are given are usually quite time-consuming. In earlier RW's it wasn't this way (for example, Aaron was a LXA and finishing his last semester of school).

Apples and Oranges here, folks.

Real World and Road Rules are not about Greek Life. They don't videotape chapter meetings and rush, etc. That's not what they're about.

This new program intends to do all of those things, and the content will be totally Greek oriented.

The producer has already alluded to hazing and drinking when talking about the concept. Do you really (honestly) think they aren't going into the project with pre conceived ideas?

Sisterhood, philanthrophy and homecoming floats aren't going to foster ratings. Scandal is.

There is a huge difference between someone on a show who happens to be a Greek, and doing a program about alleged Greek Life.

Thanks for getting my point across, DeltAlum... You said it much better than I could. :)

I must say that we as members of nationals do need to get off our high horse a bit... although we generally do have more rules and people making us follow those rules... most locals still wouldn't want their chapter to get "bad press". They are greek too.. I don't think they want to make themselves look stupid on television.

Glitter,

I don't think we're on a "high horse" when we say that locals and nationals are different from each other. They are -- and the general public is not always aware of the difference. As a result, we're all painted with the same brush whenever something negative about Greek life is publicly aired on TV, in the newspapers, or in a magazine.

No one wants to make themselves look stupid on TV, and I don't think that anyone on GC is trying to imply that they do. The difference is that national sororities aren't allowed to put themselves in a situation to look stupid in the media. Locals, however, don't have a national governing body to look over the shoulder and say, "Hey, maybe going on MTV isn't the best PR idea for the group. Let's stay away from this." And that's how things get out of hand sometimes.

However, like I've said in the past, no organization is perfect. There will always be a few bad apples in the bunch, and that applies for nationals and locals equally. It's just sad that we all have to suffer for the irresponsible actions of a few.

I really wish that a national organization would do something like this to show that we are upstanding groups in the communities that they are interested in. Why can we not show off the fact that we have good groups that try to do the right thing with the guidelines set out for us?

Getting off our high horses? Let's face it, the general public do not know, care to know, or want to know the difference b/w national and local. When they follow this group around and finally get it on TV, it is a Day in the Life of a Sorority, not a local sorority and when you reflect on 26 groups with at least 100,000 members in each group it does make us concerned.

We have the right to voice that and in reality it will and has hurt the Greek Systems around the country. Like 20/20 last year, typical Greek Story...starts off with the UNC fire, and then two Greek Deaths and then hazing. Other then UNC, the other stories were of locals and there was no reference made to that fact.

I understand the differences and agree that locals are just as much as a part of the system, but they are a smaller part(number wise) and this type of show will be the smaller part, that is VERY different reflecting on the large part. We face similiar issues, but have much different structures.

When I was a Rho Chi and on PH, I don't know how many parents asked about the 20/20 show and wanted to see paperwork and such regarding rules...

It is unfair that this show will do damage, but what can be done now?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
[B]I think you are taking this alittle too personal. I dont think anyone was meaning to say anything bad about locals. I respect locals emensly(sorry about the typos!!) I mean we all started that way right!

It is a known fact that NPC has rules on these issues and would never allow this to be done with one of there groups, or the orgs HQ would never allow it. Also, generally speaking, locals are more lenient (again a typo) on this.

I dont think SAEPi really understands what it is doing or the risks involved. The media has a way of twisting things to fit there agenda. If you go to the website about this it specifically says they know hazing occurs and they whant a sororities view. They are looking for something !!! NOT GOOD!!!

Re: ..
 

You just took a steep nose dive on respect!!!! I usually respect locals and am willing to help but this type of BS is what creates tension between locals and Nats.

GROW UP!!! Maybe then you will get the respect you deserve. I am sick of hearing all these groups whinning every time someone here mentions a local. Instead of dogging the groups that are pointing out differences maybe you could take a look at your org and the Nat orgs and find out why? Most of the things pointed out are NOT meant to be put downs!

Let us all go to the thread on greek love and learn some lessons!!!:mad: :)

:eek: Will a Greek or Non-Greek be producing or editing the show??

wrestling
 

Well while I;m not a fan of pretty much any reality TV show or of much of MTV I have to say that for example, Tuff Enuff (whatever) is a good tv show when it shows actual wrestling stuff whether it be amateur (IE the real wrestling) or wwf because I'm a former hs wrestler and present university wreslter. They were very responsible the first season and everything i saw was well done and they taught the kids real moves (well, some real moves) and it was interesting. It was like watching athletes go thru a series of cuts for a team but this year they are playing up one of the girls cheating on her bf.

I'm hoping that if they do do a reality show on this soror that they do the same thing and they can have it entertaining while being responsible about it and not dramatizing it. If they can make people understand that fraternities are no longer beer swilling jocks (be a student athlete not a dumb jock) living together and soror girls aren't immaturish kids, it may be good for the GLO community. However, knowing the reality of stuff they will sensationilize as mich as they can for the sake of ratings. Do you guys think they'll do one on a fraternity next year?

Also in closing i would like to say that that series Real World where they live together, they may as well have filmed it in a dorm because it is pretty much the same thing. I hope they are responsible if they do this and don;t try to use the people for their own ends but treat them and view them as adults and while chapters differ even within the same GLO (different people etc) and local GLOs differ from national glos, it can only be a good thing if positive results come out of this which is what i hope will happen.