Pledged
 

Ok....I decided to go out and waste my money to find out what the hype is about the book "Pledged." I will let you all know if it is worth buying or if its a waste (have a little hunch it's a waste). If necessary I will debrief the women from my chapter on its contents to help deal with the issue for Fall Recruitment!! I will keep you updated!

if its worth reading, let me know, Ill come by and borrow yours lol.

We just moved Ryans sis into an apt in Stow this past weekend. Its the ones Chris Kandus lived in, Wyndam (Spelled wrong?)

I've read a significant chunk of it. From what I can tell, there's only one reference to ADPi in it, some slogan about us and big thighs/being overweight or something (it was in a section about sorority stereotypes).

The ritual chapter is quite interesting...PM after you read it. I have a question for you.

Loyally,

Emily

Yea...so far into it there has only been one reference to ADPi...and it was some stuuuuuuuuupid nicknames...I have heard the second one, but never the first. One was "Eighty Pound Thighs" and the second one was "I ate a pie." At my campus I always heard "Shady Pi's." haha How dumb! All nicknames are silly!! As long as no one uses them to hurt each other I could care less about them!!

I will PM you as soon as possible Emily....I am flying through it! If I didn't have to work I would probably be done today!!

When reading it, it feels more like I am reading some fictional story. Like the women she talks about are the characters and none of this is true- just some figment of her imagination.

I can tell you this- from where I am at in the book so far- I never felt that way in my sorority, nor have I ever done the things in it. Yes, when they went and got the piercings- some of my sisters went and did that with tatoos...but I do not see the point of writing about it in a book.

I will keep you updated on the silliness!

I live on the other side of stow....I live right on the Hudson and Kent borders...about a mile from Stow/Kent shopping area. Stow is a greaaaat place to live! I have not been to the mall since I moved there....every store you can imagine is at Stow/Kent- including a Kaufmanns!! She will love Stow!

This book is hysterical....she writes as if she was there for evvvverything! Like all the little details "the girls looked at her wide eyed" or "she frowned" etc. She was not there for everything and is really great at giving details! She acted as a friend of the girls she followed- she was not a sister in the chapters- so her details are awful good for not even being there at times!!

Diamond Delta clean out your pm! i've been trying to pm you for 3 days.;)

Ok...I have less than 100 pages to go in the book. I do not recommend buying the book because it only "feeds the pocket" of an anti-greek, but if libraries carry it one day or you have a friend that bought it- borrow it!

The book is almost humorous and makes me think right off the bat- "What sorority didn't offer her a bid?" HAHA

I think the book has generalized sororities and she needed to continue her research around the country and Canada to realize that (if her "stories" are true) all sororities are not the same. Her book focuses on these 4 girls at one school who have been in bad situations....and when a non-greek reads this it may generalize all sorority girls and greek systems because they may not know any better.

This is just my opinion, but if you would like to read something humorous- borrow this book!!

PS: ADPi has only been mentioned one other time than the one listed above....it was not to bad once again. I must say that ADPis have not been quoted at all or portrayed in a bad light so far.

Hey, I read the whole thing already. I'm just curious for the other sororities that seemed to get more ritual exposure how they are handling all of this.......is it true? is it actually from their ritual? and how they deal with recruitment after this?
Ex. Pi beta phi arrow symbolism
Ex. Tri delta password

interesting how she came up with all of this.........

I was thinking the same thing! Is it true? What kind of person would tell her all of this info and how accurate is it? I would have loved to made up something to share with her...totally something off the wall- just to see if she really thought it was ritual and would publish it!! I am almost done with the book...I have like 20 more pages! I am still chuckling at every page...and since the ritual section, I am doubting her research more and more!!

Well I finished the book and I must say it provided me with some humor! I would say it was not an accurate portrayal of sororities...although we do have to admit that some of that stuff does happen. I think this book focused on everything bad/negative that was happening in the lives of these four women...and somehow they would all relate back to the sorority experience.

I suggest this book for the collegiates, just in case you get any questions during recruitment....otherwise, do not waste your money.

I read it and thought it was interesting, but not at all reflective of the greek life on my campus. Who's to say that there isn't an ADPi chapter out there somewhere that is as stereotypical as that book makes them out to be? But I know that our chapter, and our NPO on our little campus, were nothing like the book describes.

I wonder if greek life on some of the bigger more traditional (maybe southern) universities is like that. Anyone go to Ole Miss, Alabama, or the like?

100% agree!!!!!!!!

Okay, so I'm halfway through the book. Being from a southern (albeit small) school, I must say that the writer is not writing lies. Although some things I think are exaggerated, so far, from what I read she pretty much describes sorority life on our campus. Now, I'm not saying it describes my chapter or ADPi to a tee, but a lot of what she is talking about I have witnessed first hand. (not only at my chapter, but also in the other chapters at my school)

Eating disorders happen, drug use happens, Pre-partying/gaming happens, cliques happen, picking a "best" fraternity happens, date rapes happen(although VERY few and FAR between, not enough to call it commonplace), drinking in a dry house happens.

I think the writer has over-stated the commonality of some of these things. Not everyone has an eating disorder, uses drugs, or drinks to the point of alcohol poisoning.

And while I agree that this book takes a LONG look at negative aspects of greek life, we're lying to ourselves and other people when we say that NONE of this stuff happens. Things like this happen in Greek orgs and things like this happen in Non-Greek orgs.

You know what is stupid; she is talking about stuff that is general to college. I mean hello, eating disorders, sex, drinking, partying. That's college. And to place the "blame" on sororities is outright retarded. Unfortunately, I haven't had the oppurtunity to read the book yet. My library has one copy and I'm number nine on the waiting list. You get three weeks and then can recheck it out, so WHO knows when I will read it. I definately think the girls need to read this and be aware that PNM's will ask questions.

Also, can someone PLEASE write a book that isn't anti-Greek. How about they write about our gpa requirements and our philanthropy projects. Grrr to greek haters.

Because no one cares about gpa requirements and philathrophy, its not dramatic enough to sell a book and no one joins a sorority because of those two reasons. Not to say that all girls join sororities for the partying and fraternity boys but let's be honest here some do. Have you ever met a PNM who says "I want to join the sorority with the best national philathropy?" We can only wish these girls walk through our doors for recruitment.

Actually, I have. Not saying that they didn't want the partying and social aspect as well, but to them, philanthropy was more important than being seen at the parties. I'm glad there are those women out there, and maybe if books were written about the "nicer" side of sorority life (instead of the negative stereotypes we all live with), the perception will change about what a best selling book should contain when it comes to Greek life.

However, that's just my honest, personal opinion and my .02 :)

I guess I should have phrased it better, I'm not saying that girls join just for the partying or not at all. HB had a lot of girls that were not interested in doing the party scene, wouldnt even go to our own crush parties etc. So yes for girls like that, more productive aspects of a sorority would be more appealing. My point was when a PNM is torn between two houses I dont really think its the philathrophy that sells one house over the other, I would think (and hope) how well they got along with the sisters and if she could see herself in that house would be more important factors.

And I completely agree with you :cool:

I think some of us wish that these are the ideas that would be promoted in a book about Greek Life, rather than the stereotypical "negative" thoughts everyone has about Greek life already. Just like no one (hopefully) would walk through the door and say that I want to join the house with the best philanthropy, (and I'm not trying to make a joke here, I promise), no one (hopefully) walks through the door and says I want to join the house with the least number of eating disorders or the most parties per week, etc.

On a funny note, one of my sisters went to Morningside which is Delta Epsilon. Ironically, one of the girls who became a incredibly active member was a two generation legacy to AOTT, the only other sorority on campus. But she had a daughter who when she was incredibly sick stayed at the RMH, b/c RMH is our philanthropy she chose ADPi instead of AOTT.

Just thought that was a cute little anecdote to share. :)

But you are right 95% of the PNM's will chose houses they are comfortable with and can see themselves fitting in, not b/c of the philanthropy. Those girls who do look at the philanthropy as a "pitch" I guess are few and far between.

My sister has a friend who joined ZTA because of their National Philanthropy- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation- because she had breast cancer as a teenager. She also joined because of the women...but the philanthropy was an immediate connection for her!

I understand those women are few and far between....but they are so wonderful when they come along!!

Okay so I caved and bought Pledged. I'm kind of mad at myself for forking over 25 bucks to this woman but who knows when I will get to read it via the library (plus, I'm not good at returning books on time). I wanted to have it read by the time FR rolls around since I do plan on helping out DG.

Let you know what I think when I start reading it. (Right now I want to finish reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Yes, I caved and decided to join the Harry Potter fandom also).

a positive book about greeks
 

you want a book that gives greek life a positive spin? try this one: published in may, it's called "bound by a mighty vow" by diana turk.... it's specifically about "greek letter fraternities for women," and doesn't mention the adelpheans at all (to my surprise/chagrin) BUT it's very positive. our greek advisor is a theta and got a copy sent to her just today. thetas, being the first "greek letter fraternity for women" feature prominently in the book, and it specifically mentions allegheny college (HB's and my college), where their mu chapter has been since 1880.

(it also mentions pi phi and many other greek organizations, including kkg, phi kappa psi, fiji, etc.)

~sweetie

Ok, I just finished this book and have to say, I thought it was very interesting. Sadly, I do think that sorority life at a larger school is more like the author's depiction than many would like to admit. I am by no means saying ADPis or sororities in general are all like that but we have to realize that extremes are what sell books. If there were no exposing stories, no one would buy the book. I do know girls from my old chapter like some of those she described and I know girls who couldn't be farther from the stereotype. It goes both ways in any large group...

Overall, I really feel like it's a good read for any collegian or alum member. For alums, it's really informative for the image that future employers may have of you and for any who have daughters entering college. For collegiates, remember that any girl for the next few years that is interested in rushing will be reading this book and will probably have questions for you. They will want to know why ADPi does not fit into the mold and specifically why your chapter doesn't fit. It's always good to be prepared!

Ok, that was just my opinion. I work with an Alpha Chi Omega and we've had an ongoing discussion while we've been reading and these are just some of the things we've been discussing.

I like this online book club thing though!

I've already posted my view on the book, but being honest, the reasons that I joined a sorority:

~Meet friends
~Getting to go to the coolest parties and mixers to:
~Meet boys

I'm far too cynical to buy into all the mushy sisterhood crap that they threw at us during rush. Did I feel it after I joined? Sure, but that wasn't why I joined. And even now to this day, if you ask me about the mushy stuff, I'll lie :p Yes, I could go on and all all day about what I ended up getting out of my experience. We all could. But really, unless you had a mom, aunt, sister, or really good friend to expose you to greek sisterhood, did you really know what you were getting into? Nothing previous prepares you for it.

So, being completely honest, parties and boys had nothing to do with your decision to rush and/or pledge? Because I really gave a rat's booty about our philanthropy during those blurry days of rush. :o

Id say each of us has our own reasons why we joined. Some people join to make friends, to meet boys, to have a sister bond cause they dont have real sisters, some join for philanthropy, we all have our own reasons.

I know I did join because I knew of the sisterhood and I knew of what ADPi did for people. My grandma and 3 aunts as well as other family who were ADPi and I always heard all about it and just really wanted to be a part of something so amazing that they always talked about. I had a bf who I eventually got married to so I could care less about boys at all or fraternity parties. Its sad, but so true lol. I wanted to make new friends and sisters who I would bond with. I wanted to become a part of that lifelong commitment and something that I would cherish all of my life. Sure I went to some parties and I had fun and all that, but to me by far,t he sisterhood was the most important thing for me and it always will be. I dont think everyone feels that way joining, but thats how I was.

I am a sentimental girl and very emotional so I cried during so many of the events because things touched me so much when I rushed. It was amazing. I came in wanting ADPi, but being open to other places, but I feel in love with ADPi a long time ago, when I was a girl, and I feel in love with all those ADPi girls I met the first day. I knew there would never be another sorority Id ever feel that way about. :) Tears thinking of how great that journey has been and all thats to come.:)

No matter what this stupid book does to greek life, ADPi is in my heart forever and this stupid book will never break our sorority or any other book for that matter.

I have to apologize, because I'm the smartass in your pledge class that rolled her eyes at everything. Just my personality, I'm not sentimental (except for my clothes:rolleyes: ) or emotional. Sorry. I never cried. People were incredibly surprised that I cried at my wedding.;)

To be *completely* honest.....parties and boys had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my decision to go through recruitment.

I chose to go through recruitment because I had seen (for a year) the wonderful fun my best friends in college had with their sisters (two joined our freshman year, two joined first semester of sophomore year), and I wanted that. Especially when they would go to their chapter meetings and I'd be sitting doing homework in my dorm room, I wanted to have that experience. The social part of sororities (parties, boys, etc)....I got that without joining ADPi. But the opportunity to have a group of women who genuinely cared what was going on in my life and I was able to go hang out with, no matter what time of the day or night, was priceless.

Besides, I'm not much of a party gal.....;) :p

I joined, honestly because I fell in love with the girl who would eventually become my diamond sister. I was at orientation for UNLV, and Danielle came up and asked me if I wanted to know about her sorority. And she told me all about ADPi and showed me pictures from the chapter. Then we spent a good half hour talking about shopping and clothes and stuff we became friends on the spot. She also intorduced me to some if the other girls, and what really impressed me was that they all remembered me when I came back in the fall. I just knew I had to be a part of ADPi.
I think the biggest benefit to me after I joined was the instant identity, being from so far away I really think I needed a group to identify with I mean, I had no friends or family in Las Vegas. I enjoyed the parties and stuff but my major kept me so busy with rehersals and diddn't have any time for going out or boys, I was forever turning in excuse forms for diffrent events and meetings. But still it was nice to sit and have lunch with my sisters and spend what time I could with them.

Do any of you girls have any idea where this book is supose to be from? The school I mean? I hear people say the south and east coast so I wonder. Im currently reading it right now. I just got it today from the library. I know she said that she changed things around but I wonder if she was smart enough to change everything. Like she says the campus shes on has 18 sororities, I wonder if thats correct and then she talks about the chapter house shes going to and explains it pretty descriptive. I just wonder if people could find out what school she really says she was at.

shan- i was thinking about that as i read the book last night, and so far i think its texas tech. i dont know much about their greek community, granted, but i do know they have houses and a larger number of organizations.

im just assuming she's using a texas school, because there are a lot here that are not as "southern" about sororities as most other southern states, and because a lot of the sources when she does site an actual NPC sorority she sites schools or women in texas.

but now that i think on it more, i think it may also be UT... because greek life is decently big, but not the end all of everything there, and because of its size, etc.

i just think its in texas:(

ETA to say that i dont think the 18 sororities count is true in her book, that its one of the changed elements, because if it were true it'd be pretty easy to find all the schools with 18 sororities and figure it out. i mean, there aren't THAT many universities with 18 npcs in the country...

Maybe someone from Tech can clarify this for me, but for some reason I remember talking to one of our ADPi sisters from Tech and she mentioned that @ Tech they have "lodges" and not "houses":confused:

I personally think the whole book was fabricated, but hey, that's just me ;)

Shan and I were just talking about this book earlier today. TP I have to agree with you, I haven't started the book, but with all the I've heard most of it sounds like complete BS. Plus, I think it is RETARDED that she "blames" sorority life for girls having an eating disorder, or being promiscuois (sp), or drinking, doing drugs, etc.. Those things are just part of college in general. I will have more opinions once I read the book.


OMG I just started reading the book, I'm on page 2 and I'm already offended. What the hell? Okay, now according to this chick I was from the "popular group" in high school and that I am "cooler, prettier and wealthier". Is this woman completely and utterly smoking crack? Seriously. I was in NO WAY popular in high school. I was semi-popular, had lots of friends but I wasn't the cheerleader (although I wanted to be) and they were the "popular" ones. I come from a middle class family. I didn't and don't have things handed to me on a silver platter. I got a job as soon as I turn sixteen. And as for my looks, I don't think I'm all that pretty (although friends would disagree), I just have never thought of myself as pretty.

So right off the bat this woman is going to be dissing us because this is her "perception" of sororities.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you are doing an "expose" shouldn't you, oh let me think, be a bit unbiased. And most importantly not use your biases on the actual "reporting of the facts". Already I can tell that she probably used her biases of us as her way of "reporting the facts".

I still can't believe I'm already disgusted and I'm only on the second page.

\

they have houses, when we were having our first recruitment workshop kim was telling me about it. plus on the techaphi site that i love so much they have a map of the greek subdivision.
but after thinking about it more today i decided i didnt think it was tech.
now ive concentrated more on trying to figure out who the groups are supposed to be.... im such a dork

dont worry I am doing the same. I just really want to know who she is talking about and where it takes place, if it even takes place.:rolleyes:

Just to clarify, Tech has what are called "lodges." The girls tend to common name them "houses," But they are in fact lodges. None of the girls live in them. It is against the law in Lubbock to have more than 5 women living in the same house. It is an old Brothel Law. Just wanted to add my $0.02.

While there is a lot of good happening in the sorority system, there are clearly very serious challenges that are taking over.

Pledged does a decent (if tongue-in-cheek) job in addressing these. I encourage all Panhellenic women to read this book, and discuss it with their chapters as a means to develop ways to deal with the continuing issues of eating disorders, date rape, substance abuse, bullying and other destructive behaviors. NPC and ADPi have wonderful workshops that outline these abuses and how to prevent them, and it is vital for collegiate women to support these programs and make a dent in such serious obstacles to our individual and group development.

Whether or not these things happen at your chapter, whether you are an alumna or a collegian, whether you were an active member for 4 years or 4 months, these problems do exist in the sorority system. Regardless of her research methods, Alexandra Robbins has painted a picture of Greek Life on a southern campus in the 2000's. Let's do something constructive about those problems and help ourselves.

Abbey you are totally right.

No matter how 'disgusted' I am with the book, I do think it is important for me to read, just as I think it is important for collegians to read. For everyone to read.

You are right, these "problems" do happen and they do need to be addressed. I do think the book might "exaggerate" the 'problems' (but until I finish reading it I actually can't say for sure).

sherra, Tempe has the same 'brothel' law that you are talking about. Just thought it was interesting to why we can't have houses in some cities at some schools.

i personally have not read the book, but we did refer to our houses as "lodges". there are currently 10 sororities on campus. while i was there, we had 11 sororities, but Gamma Phi Beta I believe closed their chapter.

Well I am almost done with the book, so I thought I would post... I am borrowing my diamond sister's copy... Anyways... My main thought on the book is that all she tries to do is point out the negative... My biggest complaint is that she states in one sentence that not all sororities haze... then goes on for a chapter about hazing... She never again relates back that not all chapters do this... In reality a lot of the other stuff happens in college... Also I have to agree that women living together can become a messy situation, but I believe the good greatly outways the bad in that... She tries to make it sound like it is crazy that these women stick with the sororities with all the problems that occur, but doesn't take the time to ask them what the good points of it all are... I have seen situations of back stabing and what not in res halls... Stuff happens, but she leaves out the rest of the time...

Also I was a bit annoyed by the assumptions made the sorority women are these popular beauty queens... She refers that there are the "less" popular ones on campus but never goes into them... I personally found that very one sided and limiting... I know I would never fit into the popular group crowd, but yes I am an alpha delta pi and will be for the rest of my life...