Elitist?
 

As we discussed how liberal and PC this world has gotten, I wondered:

Gone are the days when Greeks got discounts on their books. Gone are the days when you had to be a greek to get into a greek ran party. Gone are the days when the majority of student council members were greek.

Administrations have been getting harder and harder on us. The mainstream media portrays us as drunk losers who don't study (even though our GPA is almost always higher than the randoms), and crap like those BS shows that those ***** locals agree to be on make the problm even worse.

I know that we live in a very apathetic society where the percentage of people who vote gets worse every year, and a society that glorifies ordinary people airing their dirty laundry for a hungry audience to feed off of.......

So with all this in mind:

HOW EXACTLY ARE WE CONSIDERED "ELITIST"?

Thanks.

Because we don't have open membership.

I think that's it, and because of that, we will always be seen as elitist.

I agree with Sugar and spice...if just anyone could join a GLO, then we would notbe elitist, but since you have to be chosen, then it is.

On my campus, which is traditionally a commuter campus, greeks are also seen aas elitist. 80-90 percent of Student government is greek. Other people have tried to run for pres. but never get elected, not because their not greek but because greeks are the only ones who vote on anything. Therefore we usually vote for the candidate that we know better or whose campaign supports our beliefs. Basically, the greeks run the school, we are the only one's that sit in the union, people complain the union is greek, but we welcome anyone it's just that we are the only one's who take advantage of the resources. Were not elitist on our campus we are the only one's who give a damn. Most people show up go to calss and go home, whereas when someone joins another org. mostly greek your at school more and tend to know the issues and what's going on, and we also have a better sense of pride for our school. I know this isn't every school but this is the case here. I'm sorry so long this is a hot topic for me.

Maybe It's Different In California
 

I think DeltaSigStan is from San Diego State (don't you guys have a beautiful new house?). You say, "Gone are the days..." when Greeks basically ran things, but I can tell you that in the south and mid-west, the Greeks DO run things on most campuses. Relatively small numbers, but lots of power. Read up on 'The Machine' at Alabama. At Georgia Tech, their school foundation tracks lifetime giving of individuals by fraternity. At Missouri they have an active Alumni IFC. Greeks pretty much run the show at all the big schools, and most of the smaller ones.
We are called 'elitist' by the usual suspects, and are considered so because (as someone else above said) we have closed memberships.

At big state schools like Bama and Mizzou, it appears that the bulk of the power is held in the hands of a few--Greeks, predominately.

The reputation of Greeks as being "elitist" is naturally based on the selective nature of the Greek system, in that it is not overly selective based on academic or intellectual pursuits (other than a GPA requirement)--instead, it is based more on social capital.

Greeks don't run the show on either of my campuses.

Not all California schools are anti-Greek. Loyola Marymount (in LA) hasn't had a non-Greek student body president in a very long time. Most of the Orientation Leaders for new students are Greek and a large portion of the Resident Advisers are Greek. At one time, the chairmen of both the College Republicans and the College Democrats were Sig Eps. Maybe its because we don't have many fraternity houses, maybe its because we are on such a small campus, or maybe, as I suspect, LMU is perpetually trapped in 1960. Not that I am complaining, of course.

The CSU and UC systems are so incredibly anti-greek.

greeks are heavily involved at USD and hold a fair amount of clout as far as i can tell.

These are some great replys guys.

Don't get me wrong at all, our school is FAR from anti-greek, bu I wouldn't say we're PRO greek, especially since our campus has gotten a lot more liberal.

I just know that on my campus, as much a prescence as we are now (We do have a strong greek system, especially now that we have a close relationship with the cultural greeks), there were a lot of things we used to do and a lot of advatges we had that we don't anymore

Whne did anyone ever get discounts on their books for being greek? And why should we?

Like sueali at my school the only people that give a damn are greeks and athletes. Everyone else is trying to get a McDonald's education. Drive through style.

lol

sorority and fraternity members get a 10% discount at one of the two town tanning salons here. i think it's absolutely ridiculous.

You guys too eh?

Aztec Tan has a close relationship with panhellenic lol

DSSTAN,

and all others.

Are we Elitests, really?

Do we select possible new members to join us to make our Organizations grow. Yes.

Would we ask someone to join that could help rend our Organizations apart. NO!

Do We as Greeks have higher GPAs than the Norm.

Do Charity Events.

Make School Homecomings what they are.

Participate in School Activities and Student Government.

Have more friends with not only Our respective Orgs but others such as on GC!

If the answer is Yes, Then I for one am an ELITIST!

Damn Proud to be one also.

The opportunity is there, for while not all new Frosh will join, the doors are open to the majority!:cool:


I never got a discount as a Greek as it was always harder dealing with some Independent who was clueless!:(

Really, I do consider us elitist, but only because we have to be. If we do not recruit people who maintain a high GPA we are closed down. If we recruit people who do not strive to achieve we grow stagnant. If we are not careful and recruit people who make bad descisions somehting horrible will happen and we will be shut down. That is usually what I resond with to people who accuse me at school of being an elitist pig. I also tell them that if someone is going to strive to be their best and show that to us in some way, they are more than likely to get a bid. We have teachers, lawyers, doctors, businessmen, engineers, schientists, artists, musicians, and all other manner of great people. We just pick those who are going to strive be the best at it.

The word "elitist" could take on so many meanings and connotations. If you really think about it, how (for GLO's) is being elitist bad!?

We select members based on whether or not they fit the image and values of our respective organizations. For example, I don't want guys joining my chapter who are only interested in partying. I don't want someone that creeps out ladies (everyone knows a "stalker-kid", who wants that in your chapter?).

I'm glad my organization is elitist. If not, then it would be in serious jeapordy.

I don't necssarily think elitest is a bad word. It's what we choose to do as an "elite" group that makes us good or bad.
Wouldn't you call those students that attende Ivy league schools such as Harvard, Yale or Princeton elitest. You don't see too many article talking about "how those elitest pig from Harvard are giving students a bad name" now do you? So why just attack greeks. Ivy league shcools don't let just anyone in. Why should we? We all know there are bad seeds at Ivy league schools too.

"Selective" is positive, "elitist" is negative. I wouldn't call someone who graduated from an Ivy or a US Service Academy as being from an elitist institution--simply a selective one. After all, their selection criteria is fairly concrete--good grades, good activities, good recommendations. Our selection criteria sometimes goes beyond those three--is she cute? Is she of "good character"? Is she of the proper race, size, or social class>? Sometimes Greks are seen as "elitist" when the word "selective" should be used, but sometimes the shoe fits.

I'm elitist. Also selective, but some people I just don't like, and those people aren't getting in.

Semantics
 

There's a wide difference in perception between "elite" and "elitist". Elite is good. But elitist implies behavior that lacks humility. To be in an elite organization is good; it says you're among the best. To be in an elitist organization implies that they think they're better than you.
People who hate greeks use words like "frats" deliberately. They use "elitist" deliberately too. We must control the words to control the outsome of the debate. Greek-haters try that against us all the time.

I agree~

bump because good thread

decadence's attack of the bumps

Ha ha you're funny. :rolleyes:
The reason I bumped the thread - apart from the fact it was an interesting thread, period - was that this accusation ('elitist') has recently been levelled at my own organization. While the allegation (with all that negativity it implies) is baseless, unfounded and malicious it is still something we have to consider/deal with. The thread interested me and I would be interested to hear more views on the subject, too. If that is a problem for you it is unfortunate but I still find it an interesting thread!

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Well at my school the Greeks run everything but we are still considered "elitist". Personally, I just think some people pull that elitist crap because they are jealous. It's kinda like when you were in high school and someone called you a "prep". It was like ooohhh that was so bad but it was almost like they were saying you were better than them. You never seen a so called "prep" who was not cool. So is being called an elitist just being called a prep in a more intelligent manner??? If so, more power to us..... it obvisously means we are better. But we should be considered better... we do a lot for our school, put more time and effort into everything we do, hold high standards in everyday situations, not to mention we all have a philanthropy we donate a lot of time to. We are elite and should be considered elite. And each member in our organization represent how people see us....you must choose wisely!!!!!!!!!

take a joke dear decadence. no need to get all defensive. :)

Greek orgs should be elite.

Members should be an example of the best and brightest.

Greek orgs should NOT be elitist. They should not assume that it is membership in the org alone that grants that best and brightest status, nor should they think that those outside of their orgs are somehow less than they.

I don't think it's that difficult to understand.

AMEN!!

Amen to that. Very well put.

Slightly off topic,


Pi Kapp 142, that's one of the reasons I left SFSU. Too much of a "low budget" attitude.:(

there are plenty of chumps & losers who are in fraternities (and sororities). They talk a good game during recruitment, but then later you see that they're full of crap.

Some make it to initiation, but some dont -and they go on to trash the name of their former house and former brothers (or sisters).