A posting proposition
 

At another message board I frequent, the webmaster has banned polls of any sort, including innocuous subjects like "what is your favorite movie?" The reason? Threads were going on and on with no real point or progress being made, and some people were getting vocal to the point of rudeness.

I propose that we do the same with the endless "what do you think of XYZ?" questions. Call me a posting Nazi, but this board is supposed to be for discussion of issues and questions that apply to Greek life, not a popularity contest. Some of the threads were relatively benign, but there are others that are getting ugly. We do vey little to make Greek life look attractive to potential members with these sorts of posts.

I'd like to know what everyone else thinks.

Good Idea.

I agree wholeheartedly. Finally someone who understands what I've been trying to say for months.

------------------
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

I'm so glad that I found this message board to discuss "things Greek" and I enjoy reading posts from Greeks all across the country. I'm an Alpha Gam from Hawaii, and usually it's difficult to talk about the Greek system because it's not prevalent as much here as it is on the mainland. The AGDs and the TKEs are the only national Greeks on campus. The locals pretty much run the Greek scene here (but us and the TKEs have done the best in recruitment!).

I can't say I agree. I do not like the idea of not being able to ask a question simply because someone else thinks it is pointless. To be honest, I find this proposal to be rude. I don't want to come off ugly. However, that is how I interpret the above proposal...as sort of ugly. So I would like to propose that if you are skimming through the posts and you see something that you are not interested in or do not like, then just don't read it. Ignore it. There are many, many posts that I never read. In fact, I only open a select few because those are the ones that I am interested in. I can't understand why this is an issue. I am really offended by the idea of someone else deciding what questions I can ask.

Shopgirl, the author of the original post is not trying to take away your right to ask a question. The way I interpret her post is that certain posts make people and things open targets for ridicule and in some cases, obscenities and rudeness. I belong and frequent a LOT of message boards, and it's not that difficult for a person to act up.

I've only been on this board for less than a day, and already I've seen individuals put down a particular sorority/fraternity. How are we supposed to know that the post isn't offensive without opening it and reading it? I'm thankful that we've got wonderful moderators on this board who make sure that it's a pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy.

If this isn't good enough for you, and you're one of those who prefer heated arguments and discussions, then they have boards like that just for you.

------------------
*I'm an Alpha Gam...Yes I am, Yes I am!*

I definitely agree with shopgirl. I know that many people do not like when others ask how ABC sorority is like on their campus, but if you dont like it, then dont read it! The thing about how people may say rude things or whatever, well that applies to any post someone puts on here. Anyone can type some unneccesary comment. This webpage is to learn more about greek life, so if someone wants to know how their sorority/fraternity is like on their campus so be it. We all know that chapters vary from campus to campus- if i get in to a sorority soon, then i would like to know what kind of sisters I have at other schools. There is nothing bad about that. So i do NOT agree with banning these types of questions from greekchat. If you ask me, there are several other questions that people ask on here with no relevance. The only person able to ban certain posts on here is the moderator, and i havent really seen him complain about this because there really is nothing wrong with wanting to know how other chapters rank or what kind of reputation they have!

How about this kind of post/question being asked in the "GLO Specific" threads that appear on the page between the home page and the "Greek Life" threads?

Is that a better fit? It would certainly be easier for someone who is interested in specific organizations to find -- rather than searching through all the other threads.

What do you think?

For goodness sake, are you all lemmings or leaders? Everyone has freedom of speech and has the right to ask about the reputations of their organizations. But I don't understand the motive behind asking that question. Why would it matter to you what total strangers think about the organization you work hard for and pay dues to? If you want to know what your sisters are like on other campuses, surely there is a way for you to meet them.

I think I am speaking for all of the interests of NPHC organizations when I say none of us would be caught dead asking others what they think about (fill in the blank) sorority/fraternity. Apparently this is just another one of the inherent differences between GLOs and BGLOs.


------------------
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." ~Harry S. Truman~

Gotta say I'm with MidwestDiva on this one. We should all maintain a certain level of mutual respect for all other organizations, and do not put anyone in the postion to say anything about your organization, or anyone elses. You never know what their input/response may be, and once it is out there, you cannot take it back. Even if it is removed by a moderator, you don't know what has been done with that information up to that point. I would not need to ask that question, because I think it is disrespectful to all other greek organizations-NPHC and otherwise. As far as I am concerned, your organization is the best that there is, or you would not have pledged/joined it, right? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif
I know that's how I feel about mine http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

---------------------------------------------
Get the best in greek sportswear at www.greekuniversity.com

Just a note to say that I see/understand the above points.

OohTeenyWahine,

I enjoy a good argument every now and then. However, that is not why I frequent this message board. So, I have no intention of seeking such a message board. I feel as though my point was missed and I regret that you interpreted my post in the manner which you did.

O.K., one more time...
I recently read the KD thread. It is quite ugly and does put some light on the above proposal. I just wanted to state that I indeed recognize the problem.

Shopgirl - glad you got to see the KD thread, that is the kind of thing I am talking about. When these types of questions started everyone was pretty much respectful, but when people (in another thread) refer to a sorority as pigs that is going way too far.

It is kind of like asking "Do these pants make my butt look big? Are you sure? You're positive they don't?" http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif If you keep asking, eventually you'll get a negative answer.

I agree with DeltAlum's idea - if you need to ask this question, put it in the org-specific forum. Also, there are other ways to find out about chapters at other schools - like reading the school's online newspaper or visiting the Greek Life or specific org websites.

BTW MIDWEST DIVA & soror6 - you both hit it out of the ballpark. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

I skip over those threads because I REALLY DON'T CARE!!

I agree with DeltAlum who suggested that these types of questions be posted in that orgs forum. This will serve a couple of purposes:

1 It will most likely attract only those interested in that org, usually positive responses.

2 You have to be registered to post.

3 It will save time for those of us who don't want to be bothered.

My soror, Soror6, and prospective MidWestDiva have stated express the sentiments of most other NPHC members and interests that it is downright disrespectful in our world to ask and invite that kind of dialogue. We pledge a National org and make a lifetime committment so we could care less what 'others' think of any particular chapter. You (collectively) may notice that we (NPHC members and prospectives) rarely if ever respond ti these topics, let alone post them. It is just not done.

I would urge the moderators to consider DeltAlum's suggestion!

I'm done.




------------------
MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Hey DeltAlum, I think we are HERE (in my best Martin Lawrence impression)!

Yes, I am in Baltimore County, Md.



------------------
MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

I also don't care for these posts. I usually skip over them. I have read a few and found them to be completely terrible. But I have a question:
So someone posts a thread asking "So what do you think about XYZ" and everyone starts saying how that org is on their campus. After that, there may be some bad/negative comments about that org on the thread. Sooo, my question is: what does one do now that they've found out how their org is on another campus? Esp if the comments were negative. I mean, are you (the poster of those threads) gonna go and help out the chapter w/ a bad rep? That's what I don't get. I guess these type of threads would be helpful for Nationals, but for other chapters....I just don't see what someone from another chapter is gonna do. Especially, if you've never attempted to contact them prior to finding out they've got a bad rep or what have you. Are you gonna call up all the chapters with bad reps and attempt to change it? I guess you could, but really, would that happen? I don't know. Just something I thought about when I had read some of those posts.

AGREED - And I don't think we're trying to be the thought police (which I have said countless times before on the subject). If you must ask the question - then it makes sense to post in the GLO specific forum.


------------------
"Alpha Chi Omega - If you only had 2 wishes, what would your second one be?"

Before, i was very upset at the thought of wanting to ban those topics, but it does sound like a better idea to post them in the organization forum. Thanks everyone for letting me see what you were trying to get at. They shouldnt be banned, just placed elsewhere http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Let me throw in my $19.13. Just because some says that XYZ at this chapter has a bad reputation or airs their laundry doesn't mean it's true. These could be rejects or haters trying to cause trouble. It's all in the eye of the beholder. If I see XYZ do a canned food drive and they collect 500 cans. I may think that's great, while someone else thinks they did a terrible job.

However, I don't agree with putting down someone else's org. to make yours look better. Your actions should speak for themselves.

I thought that was what the chit- chat forum was for. Topics that are outside of greek life. If you don't like the topic, don't read it.

I agree with 33.
The posts get ugly beacuse some of our members do not respond tactfully and some of these peolpe have a strange point of view...when peolpe respond, even from my own school, when I know a chapter well, the posts are way off. I have been on Panhellenic Council for 3 years and a chapter president so I look for consistency, willingness to help, philanthropy, National organization involvment and social skills to decide if a chapter is well off or not. Sometimes these peolpe think that if your members carry a Kate Spade purse and shop at Bebe then you are great chapter, but that has nothing to do with staying power or campus involvment or even making your national sorority proud. In fact if the rude comments are coming out of a sorority women's mouth, how great is her chapter? I thought being in a sorority was about standards, why act like everyone else and be in a chapter, just be independent if you want the choice to be mediocre.
We should have these questions out there because they are interesting and shows members of the sorority where they stand.BUT the peolpe posting must treat others the way they would like to be treated...I hope that isn't too much to ask.

------------------
Lexi Hasapis

[This message has been edited by ecukd (edited December 18, 2000).]

Here Here!

We had a saying on my campus..
"If you gotta talk smack about another org just to build yours up, your org got a lot more problems than just talking smack."

I am interested in McCoyRed's comments. They make a lot of sense to me for several reasons.

First, all of our organizations have very good and probably a few bad chapters. One or two chapters do not make the organization, as a whole, less worthy.

Second, every comment is the posters opinion and very subjective. That doesn't make the evaluation correct.

Third, unfortunately, some folks just don't have anything good to say about anything.

Fourth, everyone (hopefully) wants and believes their organization to be the best, and it can be very tempting to try to "prove" that at the expense of other organizations. Unfortunately, I think we've seen some of these last two things in some of the threads.

Finally, while it is wrong to overlook real or dangerous problems with a chapter, it is not helpful to the Greek System to air that dirty laundry in a forum such as this one. Those problems should be addressed to the chapters National.

So, even if our groups don't consider these comments, in McCoy's words, "disrespectful," this kind of thread can certainly be counterproductive and sometimes hurtful. As McCoy said, (paraphrasing) we make a lifelong committment for our own specific reasons, and, again hopefully, support our fraternity/sorority for those qualities -- not whether any given chapter is good or bad.

So, to return to my orignial suggesion, if these threads are to be included in this forum, why not put them where only those interested parties will go to look for them?

Fraternally and respectfully,
DeltAlum

Aside to McCoyRed -- your signature says BaltCo. May I assume that means Baltimore County, MD. Just curious. We lived in Baltimore for a while about 25 years ago. Worked at WJZ-TV.

Very true!

Hypocrisy
 

Isn't this a "what do you think of XYZ?" post?

I was like OK SMART ASS, then I looked over and saw the date.

Superchick, welcome to GC. Have fun perusing the threads. Should take about a week. lol

Haha. DORK.