not so nice article about sisterhood
 

don't believe people think this about greeks.

http://oracle.newpaltz.edu/article.cfm?a_id=1195

you can contact jill nolan @ Jillian_is@mostlysunny.com
the or the Oracle at oracle@newpaltz.edu

oh lordy :rolleyes:

I realize it's a column so you're supposed to put forth your opinion, but seriously. There was obviously no research done whatsoever, and even in a column there should be some modicum of reality. And even a point to the column. :rolleyes:

I know I'm not God's gift to Journalism, but if the people who are writing these articles had gone to my school, they would have been thrashed by my professors. And then they wonder why they can only find jobs at dinky little weeklies in the middle of BFE after they graduate.

There are articles written like this everyday. We here the same old things. "sorority women and fraternity men are buying there friends." "They must lack the self-esteem to make their own friends." "They're all a bunch of rich, stuck up snobs" "They beat their pledges and humiliate them", blah, blah, blah, and so on and so forth. And when we hear these things are first response is, "oh, she must have been cut from every group. She's just bitter".
These things still happen. That's why all these negative articles are still be written. I'm sure most of us can say. Well that never happened to me, and my chapter doesn't do that. Good. I'm glad to ehar that. But some groups still do those things.
We has greeks have to be the ones to put a stop to this behaviour. Until we can show the non-greek community that we are more than meets the eye, these articles will not stop. We as greeks, must eforce the rules and have "punishments" that fit the "crimes". We have to take responsibilty for the actions of our groups, even if they are not are chapters or organizations. We can't stand up and praise our organization on a whole and say. "Those are my sisters...look how great we are" and then distance ourselves when one chpater does something wrong. "Oh well that's not my chapter, I don't have to worry about that...we don't do that stuff." We cant push this under the rug any longer. We all represent our organizations, no matter what chapter we are in. That means through the good and the bad. So until we start behaving like we would like to be seen by those outside the greek world. We will continue to read articles like this.

What a bitch. I actually think this would make people more inclined to join as she is not only contemptous of sisters but rushees as well.

And I've read some not so nice things about the various PIRG groups and how they operate, but that's another story.

Not only that, why isn't she concentrating on the ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT section if she is editor of it? I don't think Barbara Cloud (Pgh social editor) ever felt the need to spout off on her opinion of Bush's administration or the like.

Arts and entertainment because if I were the editor, I wouldn't be trusting this lady with any actual "news".

Who knows though? What campus is this? What she saying might actually be what she observed. To be fair to folks like this, there are still chapters of large nationals (yes, even sororities) that haze like crazy. If this is behavior that she's observed, then who could blame her?

But she's not naming names.

Because of that, I tend to think that she's pretty full of hsit on this topic. What it seems here is that this journalism major wrote an entire article that just barfs back up a bunch of negative stereotypes to build a straw man. Then she procedes to beat the hell out of it by comparing her positive personal experience to all of these perceived and imagined negative experiences that would have awaited her had she decided to go Greek.

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I hope her journalism club hazes like hell.

I'm sorry, but this is a ridiculous article. It would be one thing if she had genuine evidence of hazing at her school, or even if she interviewed 'anonymous' greeks to support her claims but I don't see any of that. It sounds to me like she (and her two mysterious friends) has had some sort of bad experience with girls in sororities and needed something to write an article on. What an idea! I would have more respect for this person if she had included some research in her article instead of merely restating practically ancient stereotypes. Unoriginal and unimpressive from my standpoint.

Y'all, there is that much hazing at NY schools. I know a girl in a "regional" or whatever their excuse for statewide locals is in NY, and she made fun of me when I got a bid to Gamma Phi Beta because "it's non-hazing so it's not a real sorority." Maybe Arya or some other SUNY people can back me up on this?

I was a student at SUNY New Paltz and Greek Life at the time was not heavily supported. We had to put up with the stereotypical image all of the time, as well as "harassment" from the town police and other students who had nothing better to do then badger us. Why I must say there are women that fit the mold of "typical sorority girls" in every negative sense of the word, our sorority at the time was one of the most diverse on campus, as well as one of the most respected. I am happy that I joined and continue to meet wonderful women from my organization on a regular basis. New Paltz is an extremely diverse school itself with students fitting every "mold" imaginable. I pledged late, as a junior transfer, but I do not regret it at all. I continue to meet wonderful women on a regular basis through my alumnae organization. I think going greek is like anything else in life, there will be people you get along with and people you don't, people who are wonderful and people who are not so wonderful. It is a learning experience in and of itself. I think overall being Greek is a positive thing. People will always continue to talk about different groups of people and stereotype them, whether they are Greek or whatever other "organization" or "stereotype" they appear to fit into.

Allison Predmore
Proud to be Greek and a D*Phi*E
SUNY New Paltz Class of 1998
President, MetroD*Phi*E Alumnae Association NYC

Regardless of whether they haze, the article is poorly written, lacks hard facts to back up its accusations, and shows its writer to be so abrasive and negative that I feel the need to warn Circle K that their involvement may plummet due to her endorsement.

The problem is that it's not really a news article, it's a column, which is pretty much open to anything the writer wants to say. It smacks more of "I have six inches to fill and need something quick so I'll just slap down a bunch of stereotypes and put it to bed" than an actual column. It doesn't matter what it's about as long as it's controversial. Because either way, the column will get readers. It'll get those who agree wholeheartedly with the writer in how much GL sucks at that campus and then they'll get the offended members and alumnae of the Greek Community who will write in letter after letter trying to disprove her column. Writer sits back, satisfied she has done her job as a top-notch journalist. Yech. That's why I never, ever wrote for our college newspaper. Can't stand the press-room politics.

I still think she's a crappy journalist. And a crappy editor. The headline has nothing to do with the column and fails to pull the reader in. I give it a D-. (I was too nice before)

It seems that chapters at SUNY schools tend to haze. One of my sisters goes to a SUNY school, and the things she had to do were crazy! They got reported to their Nationals about their hazing (luckily, they didn't get in a lot of trouble, since they are a good chapter with a lot of positive contributions to the school and their National). I wasn't really hazed (unless you count small-ish things like signing pledge books hazing, which National found out about and repremanded us! It was a way for the new members to meet all the sisters! geez. :rolleyes: ) and my sister at U-Maryland experienced zero hazing.

then again, this is an article from a school paper about Greek life at THAT school, and it is clearly the author's opinion. It doesnt portray Greeks in the best light, but maybe the Greeks at that particular school dont portray themselves in the best light either...

Articles like this are only relevant at this particular school, since obviously different chapters at different schools have different new member programs, even if following National guidelines to a T. I wouldn't get too worked up about it unless you go there, and if you do, the Greek system there needs to work to shed this negative image.

I don't know how it is now, but I imagine it still the same. Most SUNY school have a lazie faire attitude toward the Greeks. We didn't even have a greek advisor from 1997 till I graduated. Not sure if they got a greek advisor now.

I can't really comment on how the other school function. I know that Oneonta pretty much had a cleaning house of fraternitities in the mid-90s due to prevelant hazings. Fraternities were only allowed back on campus very recently.

As for the PIRG, they do great work. They were in the forefront in fighting the rise of tuition in the late 90s. I am proud to be a member of the PIRG.

ETA: A lot of hazing I've seen around SUNY campuses are out in the public. And many openly boasted about it. This is all of course in the mid to late 90s.

The article is not very good at all. I give it F.

I will retract my statement :) Apparently PIRGs are like different fraternity chapters, one is not like the other.

It reminds me of the quote from the inside looking out you can never explain it, from the outside looking in . . . .
i think that's how it goes, it seems she doens't know much about Real Greek Life.

We had an article like this in this week's Cluster (mercer news paper). This guy writes a column every week and sometimes he promotes and sometimes he bashes, he just needs to make up his mind. Ooooh he makes me so mad because he talks about having "one token member does not make you diverse." Everyone knows what org you are talking about and that "token member" happens to be one of my best friends and the fiasco about her affilitation has finally died down, dangit, lets leave it forgotten not bring it back up again! (end rant)

state university of new york at new paltz. she was offered a chance to speak in front the UGA meeting to talk about it or answer any questions for the greeks but she turned them down.

I am planning to write a letter discussing my positive experiences with the sorority. I don't want to verbally attack this woman though because she was expressing her opinion, and I think a lot of us can admit that some of this stereotypical behavior does go on in numerous organizations. Besides, that will just make us Greeks look bad attacking her for her beliefs. She is probably young too and inexperienced in writing. I think the best thing to do in these cases is talk about the positive aspects of being Greek. It's not for everyone, and that is fine. I am wondering what we can do as Greeks to promote a more positive image for Greek life? Sometimes I feel wierd telling a co-worker that I am hanging out with my sorority alumnae organization. I feel like they look at me funny or something since I have been out of college for awhile now (almost 6 years). But my GLO is still part of who I am and I am proud of that. I am wondering if we asked some of these anti-Greek people what would be the things that could change THEIR minds about GLO's, what would they say? Like if they were to decide to join a GLO what would it have to be like?

Allison D*Phi*E
SUNY New Paltz Class of 1998

You know, I just re-read the article and it doesn't mention anything about fraternity guys. Just an interesting observation. KappaCrow, are you a current KDPhi at SUNY New Paltz?

Allison D*Phi*E

Two words: Oh dear!

That doesn't really prove anything though.. Well.. other than the possibility that she may not enjoy speaking in front of large and hostile groups :D

I'm not saying I agreed with what was said here. I have no way of knowing. But you said it yourself (or another poster that knows this school) that some of the GLO's on this campus fit the stereotypes quite well.

Groups like that are really hurting all of us. This appearing in a column is just evidence of that.

alumni. pledged spring 95.

LOL, this reminds me of the kid on our campus that wrote an editorial last year and got his ass torn apart. Basically, he said that if you're part of any campus organization (but especially Greeks), you're insecure because you feel you need an identity. The rebuttal articles were the funniest things ever. Basically all the fraternities wrote in and said, "Hey that's nice. Sorry no one wanted you." Great stuff. No one on campus liked the kid because we're very organization-oriented.

i never said that and i don' think anyone else did either. someone said suny greeks haze. there are over 20 suny campuses.

Wait, wait, hold up...yes, that article reinforces negative stereotypes of GLO members, but that's what a lot of non-members think. I used to believe the exact same stuff...and I'd be willing to bet that things similar to what was in the article have come out of my mouth on more than one occasion. You don't know what it's really like to be Greek unless you are...or unless the ones on your campus do something to make you think otherwise. It's not really her fault, it's just ignorance.

I would like to see a deluge of responses from New Paltz's GLOs on that article. It does reinforce all the negative stereotypes we are trying to fight against. She had some nerve to put a very negative spin on the community service that GLOs perform. She also thinks that we pay for our friends :eek:. I would like to tell her the dues are to help keep the organization running, cosponsor events and other things, not to buy friendships. A good argument to back this would be that there are plenty of non GL organizations out there that charge fees/dues to their members. Are they buying they friends? She also made it sound like we are incapable of having friends outside our GLOs and that we aren't involved in other organizations. Not true, we also have friends outside our GLOs and we involve in other clubs/organizations.

BTW, speaking of NYPIRG, my sorority had collaborated with our NYPIRG chapter for a holiday drive for the homeless.

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/...it_all_out.gif

Oh a modacum of stupidity poorly written by some one who may not have a true clue other than what is seen in the dark or heard in whispers.:confused:


OOH, OOOh, they were in study classes, damn of all of the stupid thjings for a Soroity to do!

Last I heard, the reason for students to be in School is to learn in the least amount of time so they can graduate. Da to graduate, and stay Active in a Greek org. you must have a GPA that is exceptable.

Doesn't Sound Right....
 

Since when would a "pledge" of any organization says, “I’m so nervous! I wonder what they’re going to make us do tonight" in front of a sister of that GLO????

Re: Doesn't Sound Right....
 

Probably the first night only, as you're walking up to the house about to knock on the door following closing ceremonies. (then the door is opened to a house full of cookies, pop, and hyper girls singing on the top of their lungs).

Although a column is an opinion piece based on the writer's point-of-view, it has failed to do the following:

1) Did not pass the "So What? Who Cares?" test. This topic has been covered many, many times. It would be more acceptable if it was an original spin on a topic that has been beaten to death. It has failed to do so.

2) Where is the lead? In non-journalism speak, this means that the thesis statement has not been presented in the first three paragraphs. There is no thesis. The lead isn't buried because the writer never developed a lead.

3) This is not a news article, or an opinion story. It's stream of consciousness writing one might find in a personal journal or an unedited letter to the editor. Any news source worth its salt would not publish a piece like this.

I don't say these things to speak bad of the writer, or because she is anti-Greek. But this is a piece of writing in the Seinfeld-ian tradition: it's a story about nothing. That's honest constructive criticism.

I agree. Where's the nut graf? Where's some quotes from other students or other info to back it all up?

I was just going to say this. While obviously not every sorority in NY hazes, there is a much bigger tradition of it in that general area than there are in many parts of the country -- so I wouldn't be surprised if that section of the article is true.

As much as I would love for it to be true that every sorority in the country to be giving their new members soda and cookies and playing Truth or Dare and having Sex and the City marathons every night -- it is NOT true. There are plenty of sororities out there who still haze. There are some at my school. There are probably some at your school. And I'm sure that there's some at New Paltz. Let's be realistic here.

What I don't understand in articles like these is the assumptions that sorority women won't be friends with their sisters who have to quit due to lack of funds or the whole accusation of sororities having "petty drama." In my experience with Greek life, the first has NEVER been true -- we have some girls that depledged, were never even actives, that are still friends with girls in my sorority. And as for petty drama, that is in no way that that is ONLY a part of sorority life. You want to bet this girl got it at her freshman dorm? You want to bet that even her beloved newspaper staff has petty drama? You want to bet that she has stupid petty dramas with her friends all the time? Come on -- let's not pretend that sororities have a claim on all the petty drama of the world.

Well, as far as the $$$ factor, that kinda depends. If you have unforseen circumstances (like a family emergency) and you quit gracefully, no one is going to hate you. But if someone really screws the sorority over financially, that's another tale. Especially if they can obviously still afford other things in their life. But if they tell that story to someone else they're certainly going to make the sorority the bad guy.