Young Harris
 

Young Harris Students/Alumni Against National Fraternities/Sororities

"At the news today that 30 freshmen on campus petitioned and received permission to come on campus, the majority of the sophomore student body, especially those involved in the Greek and societal life on campus, are outraged. Not only does it allow something that is not part of YHC to essentially tell us how to act, it diminishes the importance of the organizations that have been on campus for years. It feels as though we're all being set up to be put on the chopping block. To have bypassed the 12 hour rule and allow freshmen to do this means that this fraternity is already breaking rules that have gotten other organizations into serious trouble. I do not understand the push for national organizations at all. I hope that those involved in this decision plan to explain to the local organizations, rich in the history of Young Harris, about how this will affect them. I also hope that the administration realizes the effect this will have not only on current students but, alumni, who give them money as well. If you have ever been involved in one of the organizations at Young Harris, you understand the ties it gives you. These ties are what make alumni feel close enough to the school to donate money. These organizations are what help to make Young Harris the unique college that it is. We aren't unique if we have the same national Greeks every single other college in America has. It destroys the spirit of the enchanted valley. I have written all this, to say the following: If you feel as though we should petition the national fraternity that has received permission to come on campus, please leave your name at the bottom of this note. It will be printed out and left at Cathy Cox's door. Please tag other friends to it if you are involved in Greek life or know someone who is. "


The school was granted 4 year status, and they are surprised that a national organization wants to come on board already? Or is it the fact that IGC forces spring recruitment and the national wants to recruit in the Fall? That, I can understand...but even if it was still a 2 year school, why would you only recruit in the Spring, knowing that you'd only have 1 1/2 years until graduation? With that short of a time span, you're a new member and then you're practically already graduating.

Never heard of the school?

They're probably just mad that they'll have to stop hazing...

Greek life at YH is SKETCH.

So...only locals have real sisterhood/brotherhood?:rolleyes:

I don't know you all; I think there's something to be said for respecting campus traditions.

It seems that it would be wise to let the campus sort of acclimate to being a four year and see how many students really stay and graduate vs. transfer before national groups rush in. It might be harder to sustain a chapter than it would first seem.

I don't disagree with you, and I have to say that I'd be upset at the thought of my chapter closing if I was a member of one of the two sororities that have been around more than 100 years, but some of their comments about National organizations are downright ignorant.

No doubt, but my standards for facebook groups are pretty low.

I wonder if this is just an old lady thing, and I will come to see that they are actually a pretty serious medium.

I don't know if you read the post by one of the faculty members, but it sounds like the administration will be trying to move towards national groups due to risk management issues. He went on and on about it in his post...made me raise my eyebrow a bit. Wonder what's been goin' on?!

You'd be amazed at the power of facebook. One of our chapters got eight people for a recolonization attempt just through FB.

Also, I don't see why they are so against going national. They can hold on to some of their traditions even if they join another org.

two year greek life sounds sketch in general

Aren't there one or two fraternities that have chapters at two year schools?

This was about 10 years ago and I know things can change but.....I knew 2 people who were in locals at Young Harris - one was in a local sorority and the other in a local fraternity. They both transfered to UWG and joined National Greek orgs.

The guy, who I knew pretty well, would NEVER talk about his experience with the local fraternity of their because of the "treatment" he received as a pledge. He wouldn't even tell his girlfriend or his new brothers. He point blank told me he buried the memories as deep as he could.

The girl was my roommate and a very close friend. She told me about a few things that she endured and I was horrified! She became our Risk Mgmt chair and make very sure that all our rules were followed closely and all members were treated with respect. I know that came directly from her experience at Young Harris.

I completely understand a local wanting to keep its identity, especially after 100 years, but I also know some risk history there and I can totally see why the university is looking for the risk mgmt policies (and insurance) of national orgs. Making an assumption, but I would bet money the groups that colonize will have to keep a very watchful eye to make sure old practices don't remain, just with new letters. But again, my knowledge is from years ago.

I don't know. I kind of don't get the point of it, and the ones I've seen were all letters I didn't recognize. They were pretty sketch looking though, and none of the normal/cool people hung out with them. (I took a class at the local com. col. when i was in high school as part of some extra credit thing)

One of my good friends from HS went to YHC, and was in one of those orgs - and her stories terrified me (hazing galore...). It's funny, that same friend transferred to UGA after she graduated, and I asked if she was going to join a sorority at UGA (this was back before I started college and knew NOTHING about sororities, or the whole joining more than one thing - even if it was local vs national) and she was like "PUH-LEASE - the sororities at UGA are completely different than YHC. No way would I join one..."

Imagine her surprise when I joined my national org. Hah.