Minority rushing for UPC sorority?
 

Hi, so I was trying to console my friend who starting freaking out on me. She called me last night freaking out saying that she was at an automatic disadvantage. I was trying to tell her it's ok, but I really didn't know any real facts, so I thought I would come to you guys for some answers. I made an account so I could get some real facts from real alums and ladies about to rush. We're both going to the University of Texas-- a very competitive greek school. She said that because she was a minority she felt wouldn't get a bid. I don't know why she would say that. She's a beautiful person, inside and out (cliché, yes I know), but we both know that she doesn't have connections with the girls in the sororities. She got all her recs and letters of support for the sororities, but she still says she's at an disadvantage. She's all ready for recruitment. After all she's been talking about it for weeks now and giving it her all in order to prepare herself. I wanted to get some input, so I could make her feel better or so I could tell her to do some mental preparation for what's ahead of her. So ladies, could you please help me? Is she at an disadvantage rushing for the "caucasian" sororities? I know that everyone is welcome to join, but in reality is it? And if she has all her recs, but doesn't know any girls in the sororities at UT, what are her chances of getting a bid? Any input will be greatly appreciated. I want to help my best friend out as much as possible, and because I am not rushing, I do not know much. Honest answers are greatly appreciated! :)

P.S. UPC is the school's panhellenic organization. Sorry for the confusion. Oh, and I've heard UT "dirty" rushes. So if she did not get contacted during the summer, is that a bad sign for her?

Honest answer? Well, since I have NO idea what a UPC sorority is, I can't answer that. If you meant NPC, then the answer is no one here can give you an answer. We aren't privy to the membership selection processes of these chapters. However, there are plenty of girls who know no one on campus but get bids. If she has her recs, then tell her to put her best foot forward and have a great time during recruitment.

UT's Panhellenic

www.texaspanhellenic.org/

I'm sorry I was not more clear! I'm just so used to using words my friend uses that I forgot they're UT orientated. Like knight_shadow said, it is UT's panhellenic. Thank you for the advice! I should just tell her to enjoy herself and give it her best, like you said.

Thank you for clarifying! I should have made it more clear!

I can tell you for sure that no decisions have been made yet. She's going to have to put on her big girl pants and go through the process, just like everybody else.

I can appreciate that it's unbelievably stressful and rush has a terrible way of killing an otherwise great girl's self-confidence, but being Asian isn't going to keep her from finding a home. That is NOT saying that she WILL find a home, but that it's not going be the one thing that EVERY sorority is going to be of the same mind about.

Tell her to get some rest, get plenty of fluids, and try to relax. The best thing you can do for her is provide her other things to think about for the next couple weeks.

Excellent advice! I'm so glad I'm hearing encouraging things to tell her!

You know what bothers me?

It seems like I hear the above response a lot more than, say:

"My organization doesn't discriminate on race. Unfortunately, some chapters might."

And some chapters discriminate on the basis of religion, income, etc, etc just like some politicians end up resigning from office because they are unethical though all political organizations (Congress, etc) have ethics rules.

It is sad that people discriminate for any reason. Unfortunately, it's a fact of life.

And my point is that very few NPC members on GC will forcefully state that there are rules on the books forbidding discrimination based on race.

In other words, it seems that stating that membership selection is confidential is more important that stating chapters shouldn't be discriminating in that way.

It is what it is, I just find it disappointing.

I agree with you, Sen. I don't think it's that difficult or inappropriate to say "XYZ prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, etc., and we expect all of our members and chapters to live up to that. That said, we cannot tell you your chances at any particular school or with any particular chapter. Membership selection is confidential, membership decisions can be based on a wide variety of factors, and we are not privy to the considerations of any specific chapter, nor could we say if we were."

And with that, thread closed.

Thank you all for participating. God bless.

:cool:

Yeah, it bothers me, too. BUT I doubt they couch it as "let's cut the minority." I'm sure in their bigoted little hearts they have a million other reasons why PNM minority wouldn't fit without breaking that rule. :rolleyes:

Chapters of my fraternity might do the same regarding orientation or race, too. Luckily, exposure seems to be having a positive affect. We have a white member of our administration who is very well known and active. I think his presence allows chapters who might be on the cusp of racial discrimination to see that there's a better way.

In terms of orientation, that's another can of worms, but things seem to be getting better on that front also.