Iowa State editorial on sororities
 

COLUMN: Sorority life is becoming obsolete
Alicia Ebaugh is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Sioux City. She is the opinion editor of the Daily.

By Alicia Ebaugh
Iowa State Daily
August 25, 2003

Last week, the blocks near my apartment were swarming with women, each of them searching for that elusive pot of gold beyond the rainbow -- social acceptance and a sense of belonging.

During Rush Week, hordes of these women, mostly dressed alike, visited sorority houses together and invest all the energy they had into a tumultuous week of emotional ups and downs while they waited for the big finale: Bid Day. For some, this one week, boiled down to one day, will shape the rest of their social life at Iowa State and even after college in their careers.

But, honestly, how can spending one week getting to know the houses and members of sororities really prepare anyone for picking the "right" one to fit their own interests, especially a group made up of mostly freshmen women who aren't familiar with college life?

The sororities' potential "bids," or members, are all like sheep, driven about in flocks from one place to another, presented with a whirlwind of information which most likely doesn't have time to sink in. It's like these women are being put on display, with only their potential to further the sororities' interests under consideration. No one really seems to have their interests at heart.

Being bid upon and treated like some farm animal at an auction isn't what I came to college for, and it shouldn't be the fate of any woman here. But it is, and it isn't fair to women just looking for friends in a strange, new place.

Granted, most women also join sororities for their philanthropic aspects, to build their resumes by taking leadership positions within the sorority, or to create connections related to their desired career after college. And some sororities are quite different from others.

But I don't know of any women who joined sororities for these reasons and are still members after a year or so. They learned they could get things done on their own. As for those "different" sororities -- Iowa State might have one. If we're lucky.

So, we come back to the ultimate question: Why do women feel the need to join sororities? I know for a fact that, after spending time in college, living in the dorms, going to classes and meeting people, you do make friends and contacts. If you're outgoing and keep yourself busy, you meet people quickly. For the not-so-confident, it may take awhile.

So shyness could be a reason, but it really isn't. No matter how much you lock yourself in your dorm room, I've found that, sooner or later, someone on your floor will knock on your door and ask you to go to lunch with them, or see if you want to watch a movie. There are also scads of student organizations devoted to every possible interest, and by going to one meeting you can find people like you. Potential friends are simply everywhere.

But for people who want to belong to an "elite group," I would guess that greek life is the way to go. Exclusivity has always been their trademark. Having rituals and traditions established long ago makes each woman a part of tradition themselves and, reminiscent of people from "old money" on the East Coast, they seem to think that this gives them some advantage over everyone else.

However, seeing as how we're all connected to history by this crazy thing called life, I'd say each and every one of us are sisters -- we've laughed together, cried together, died together -- and this sisterhood is much bigger than anything any sorority could provide you. Secret societies are for people who didn't outgrow high school.

And don't think I'm bitter: I realize I couldn't get into a sorority to save my life. I have no illusions -- I'm not exactly the type they're looking for.

It didn't take too much searching on the Internet to understand why.

Many sorority Web sites included online calendars stating the dates of women's engagements and wedding announcements. Even in their statements of sisterhood is included the importance of being there when your sister gets married. Excuse me, but I don't think that is something of the utmost importance in a woman's life -- who you are and what you accomplish matters more than the man you're connected with. You can blow out a candle when I win a Pulitzer -- that's important.

However, I did notice that a majority of sororities emphasized the importance of academic scholarship by rewarding their sisters with treats and prizes. Most houses also have designated study rooms and study hours for members with low GPAs. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

But, relative to where society stands today, it isn't much at all. Sororities are slowly becoming obsolete because other resources are available to us. Sisterhood isn't contingent on pledging -- lifelong friends can be found without having to pay dues for them.

Warning: severe sarcasm ahead :p

Well, it's nice to see that no one has come up with any *new* reasons why Greek life is obsolete. And it's amazing how many wonderful, caring, friendly, and driven women join such useless organizations every year, and how with such an "elite" attitude we manage to attract such a diversity of women. At my school, it would be a huge shock if someone who went through recruitment didn't get a bid, but that must be of course because we screen each woman and make them wear all the same clothing during recruitment, and if they can't afford the new clothing or don't fit the size 2, well forget it! :rolleyes:

Geeze, stuff like this makes me so mad, probably because I used to think that way, but at least gave it a shot and was willing to change my opinion if presented with evidence to the contrary.

I like the color

Shame, shame, shame on those terrible Panhellenic women at Iowa State who kidnap freshman women and *force* them to go through rush against their wills :mad:

Re: Iowa State editorial on sororities
 

Oh goodness. I really did hate it when I went through recruitment and I was weighed and some farmers came along and slapped me on the sides to see if I was healthy. Baaaaaa.

Seriously, there are too many things wrong with this for me to even go into, but sheep?! Farm animals?!

She'll be waiting quite a long time for that Pulitzer, methinks.

wptw

Re: Re: Iowa State editorial on sororities
 

The worst is when they check your teeth to make sure you're not too old. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

it took me a lot of efforts to read this... once she got into the same-ol' tripe... I just kept wanting to skim.

Dear Alicia:

Kiss my ass.

XOXO,
33

Unfortunately, it wouldn't matter if she went through rush or not, she's got those moldy stereotypes and pre-conceived notions in her head, and with people like that, there's almost nothing you can do.

Personally, I believe society as a whole (particularly the likes of Ms. Ebaugh) is way more close-minded and judgemental than any sorority memebers I've met. Personally, yes, I will celebrate when and if I or any of my sisters get engaged and married. I'll also celebrate when any of them get pregnate, get their first "real" job, get a promotion, win a Pulitzer, get new shoes, or finds a quarter on the sidewalk - it doesn't matter, the point is we're supporting each other, and getting joy from others good fortune, and sharing a cry with some of the bad stuff. We're they're for each other.

Plus, just because I'm a 'liberated' women of the twenty-first century, who says I can't still find happiness with a caring man (or woman for that matter). Finding a person who loves you and supports you, and you feel the same for them, is one of the most rewarding relationships you can have (hello - my parents are a perfect example). Okay, huge tangent, but anyways...

I'm sure she just picked those two things because they reinforced her opinion. "Selective" journalism at its best :p

I liked the part about all the women "dressed alike." I mean, really, if you are all going to the same event, aren't you going to be dressed similarly? what was she looking for, the odd girl in a snowsuit?

To me, these articles are like Salad Shooters. They only come out at Christmas (or rush, in this case).

Marie

My 2 cents.
 

Many sorority Web sites included online calendars stating the dates of women's engagements and wedding announcements. Even in their statements of sisterhood is included the importance of being there when your sister gets married. Excuse me, but I don't think that is something of the utmost importance in a woman's life -- who you are and what you accomplish matters more than the man you're connected with. You can blow out a candle when I win a Pulitzer -- that's important.

Aside from being clear as day the author of the piece does not 'believe' in marriage, or is someone who would say she 'does not see the point', this ignores the fact that to the woman involved a marriage will be one of the most important and meaningful episodes that she might experience in her life.
Prior to that there have been family, friends etc; but with marriage comes a further pledge (for both parties) to make the rest of your life a union of two people. It is one of those times in a life when it stops being about 'the I and the me' and more about 'the us and the we'. Thus the importance attached to having ones friends around them as they face important steps in their lives.

Sororities are slowly becoming obsolete because other resources are available to us. Sisterhood isn't contingent on pledging -- lifelong friends can be found without having to pay dues for them.

Another flawed statement. If her supposition is that joining a student interest organization is a perfectly good alternative to make friends which therefore renders sororities obsolete; then per her logic, as those societies charge members to join/take part in them they too are as flawed as the groups she seeks to condemn.


----
;) http://tinyurl.com/l9yr

I guess that like-mindedness seems to attract enough to fill 14 houses.Maybe she thinks that because they are from Iowa,they don't know enough to think for themselves.:rolleyes:
As someone who attended Iowa State,albeit 15 years ago,Alicia's opinion won't change one single thing.AsI remember, it was a relatively greek friendly campus.

I once got a few left-wingers at school *really* pissed off when I pointed out that each and every one of these people who called themselves "freek thinkers" and "individualists" all dressed and wore their hair alike.

It was worth the barrage of insults to see the looks on their faces when they realized I was right! :p

Adrienne
:D

A Bitch by any other Name is still a Bitch!:o

Not Willie Shakespear, but by Tom Earp!:(

It is a sad commentary from a person who probably was unable to cope with the whole thing.

Yes, this is a Harrowing time with little of of it to adjust and see what is right or wrong.

It can and is overwhelming to some! Most find a niche to fit with and are very happy!:)

Ah My Minons, So Be it!

Damn, that must be why I have so many Friends from 38 years!:cool:

We screwed up! DA!:D

Err, I have to disagree with the statement, Hootie. There are LOTS to do here, if you know what's going on and get involved. Especially if you're Greek, you always have things going on, not sure if your friend lives off campus and not too involved. And Iowa State has one of the best Greek community in the midwest (and the nation), with 14 sororities and 28 fraternities, so we DO count.
And of course we have women here, and the ratio between male and female student is about even.

Yes, the article was dumb, in my opinion, and it didn't help out our Greek community at all. Some people replied the article today, and it will be interesting to see what is going to happen in the next few days. ;)

Yeah, there ought to be some kind of law against that stuff.

Someday this woman will undoubtedly be a professional TV or movie critic.

They don't like anything either.

Part of me thinks that it would serve the Pulitzer-deprived author right if hundreds of GLO member sent her an email that said one word, "Baaa!"

But that would only make her think that people took her seriously.

I wonder if her other campus activity groups will be there when she's 50 or if she moves to another state? Will they even care if she wins :rolleyes: a Pulitzer?

She sounds like a very sad sheep herself - can't find something nice to say about a group of individuals of whom she's secretly jealous.

reply
 

LETTER: Sorority column is full of stereotypes

August 26, 2003

There are more closed-minded stereotypes in Alicia Ebaugh's Aug. 25 column, "Sorority life is becoming obsolete" than I could even count.

We are diverse, intelligent and apparently more open-minded than those taking an anti-greek stance. There is nothing elitist about sororities; if you are going to attack, at least have a credible point.

You could attack our drinking. But wait, all sororities are dry and actually obey that rule, unlike people in the dorms. You could attack our poor academic abilities. But no, our average GPA is higher than the campus average.

You say we buy our friends? I guess that applies to the dorms too, especially considering that dorms end up costing more than living in a sorority house.

Liz Jaster
Sophomore
Pre-Business

another reply
 

LETTER: Sorority experience valuable to women

August 26, 2003

As an alumna of an ISU sorority, I would like to reassure the author of the Aug. 25 column "Sorority life is becoming obsolete" that I know countless women who have joined sororities for the leadership opportunities and are still members today.

I am one of those women. I grew up 1,400 miles away from Ames and started my freshman year at Iowa State knowing only one other student. Joining a sorority instantly provided me with a home away from home and allowed me to gain leadership experience that has helped me in my career. During my time at Iowa State, I grew from a shy, quiet person to a strong, confident leader and became one of the most influential women in my sorority.

Today, my closest friends are my sorority sisters, and even though we live all across the country, from Chicago to Houston to Los Angeles, we still keep in touch because we have a deep connection that means so much to all of us.

A sorority is more than matching outfits and candlelight ceremonies. A sorority is about friendship, shared values and working together toward common goals. A sorority gives a woman a chance to find out who she is and what she believes in. A sorority cannot really be explained, but is best when experienced.

Sorority women focus on "being there when your sister gets married" because that is one way to demonstrate that these connections are made for life. Sorority women know their sisters will be there at all important events in their lives, including graduations, first jobs and career accomplishments.

I recommend all women at Iowa State get to know sorority women instead of judging them. Perhaps if the author knew more women in sororities, she would have a better understanding of what sororities have to offer. Sororities at Iowa State have been inspiring women to realize their potential since 1877 and will continue to enrich women's lives in the future. As long as there are women interested in making lifelong friends, gaining leadership experience and helping others, sororities will always have an important place at Iowa State.

Becky Soderholm
Alumna

Re: Iowa State editorial on sororities
 

Sounds like she doesn't know very many women.

Anyway, this is another one of those articles that we all hate, and that people are just going to continue to write. They are entitled to their opinion.

I think the only way to deal with this is for greeks just to write their own opinion pieces and get them published in school papers. Obviously for some schools thins might be more difficult. But it can be done.

And remember this girl is just the opinion editor, not an investigative reporter. So are her opinions really based on fact????

I believe Ms. Jaster and Ms. Soderholm wrote excellent counter opinions to the editorial.

But I think this guy said it best:

I'm am an alumnus of both Iowa State and the ISU greek system. I don't think a hair-brained columnist with no social (or writing) skills, should delve into something she doesn't understand. Maybe you should spend more time learning how to properly research and write. Note: stop ending your sentences in prepositions. I wrote for the Daily for two years, and I thought this type of low-blow journalism had finally been weeded out. I have an idea for you, Alicia. Come to Kansas City, sit in my brand new car, hang out in my fully furnished apartment, hang out for a day at work with my wife(she was greek too) or me, and then you can fully appreciate where the greek system can take you. Let's see if your sorry ass even has a job when you get out of school, let alone the Pulitzer.

Steven Brittain

I am getting very tired of people commenting on the lack of individuality within greek orgs due to wearing the same clothing. Wearing the same clothes is part of everyday life around the world: think of sports teams, boyscouts, certain professions, clergy, etc., etc., etc... It is a sign of unity. Someone obviously did not learn their cooperation skills in kindergarten :rolleyes:

OT - same clothes
 

A lot of colleges are not near major shopping centers. Often wearing similar clothing is out of necessity, not out of sheep-ness.

Oh and I am SURE the comraderie that Alicia Ebaugh :D :p (I'm sorry but her name sounds like something a donkey would say!)
currently has experienced in her dorm will help her network her way to a decent job and provide life-long friendships -- in fact (sarcasm alert) don't all dorms have conventions and reunions like sororities -- yessiree, I can see why Alicia Ebaugh (hee-haw) prefers the life-long advantages a dorm offers ;)

I think 33 girl said it best:

Re: My 2 cents.
 

Confused as to what your other thread has anything to do with this one and why you'd link to it from here? :confused:

I tried to look up the web site for the "daily" and was greeted with this message...

"Hello, Little Piggy. Are you lost?"


They do love their farm animals at the ISU Daily. No telling what they do to these poor little animals.

Yup, a whole lot more replies at the Daily today. It was a wrong move of Alicia to post something like that in a strong Greek community campus! :D

Confused as to what your other thread has anything to do with this one
I'll clarify: Nothing. I separated it from the main body of my reply with "----" to indicate it wasn't part of my main reply.
and why you'd link to it from here?
Just because I was posting a reply anyway and I wanted to put a pointer to that other unrelated thread for more to see it and p'raps contribute. Thought it wouldn't be a "biggie" to anyone if I did either way.

I think they may be hazing the little animals.