No Grad Advisor on Campus
 

For members...do you think it fair or appropriate that there not be a graduate advisor on campus when there is an active chapter. This is the case at my university. And, although I know who she is because she is listed in the student handbook- i nor other interests have no access to her as most other students do on their campus. Furthermore - the current members of the chapter think it innapropriate for interests to even know her and approach her. She is rarely at their events and whoever speaks to her is closely and scornfully watched. What is your (members of AKA) advice on dealing with this situation?

AlwaysDivine, aren't you posting on the Alpha's board too? And asking similar questions? Just asking.

What do you know about what we graduate advisors really do?

Actually, no i didn't post this question on the Alpha board. I have posted other questions there though. I'm confused about the relevance of that though seeing as how I value their opinions and insight as well as the members posting on this board. I appreciate ALL points of view and I take from them ALL what I can use. Not being sarcastic or anything but, do you see this as a problem. And if so, why?

What I know about graduate advisors is limited to what is written in my university's student handbook - which clearly states that they should be accesible to the student body. I have quite a few general questions that I'd like to ask that would only be properly be answered by the person governing the particular chapter...since it has been stated that each chapter's pracrices vary.

Am I mistaken?

Think about it, why would a university ask that there would be a national organizational's alumni representative affiliated with an undergraduate chapter? Maybe because some members may be under 17 or 21? That is the difference between the "2-lettered" greek organizations and the NPHC's...

Then ask yourself about why there are undergraduate and graduate chapters in our organizations with the same name. Should we be separate from each other? Have you considered the "magnitude" of my sorority? Do you know who some of our members are? For that matter, do you know who some of the Alpha's members are? If some of our members didn't graduate from college, you would not be able to ask this question today...

AlwaysDivine, is their a reason why you need access to the graduate advisor? Is their some information you think you would be able to get from her that the undergrad members would not be able to give?

AKA Monet - It is very obvious that my interest lies with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I ask organization specific questions to each organization. When I want to know general questions about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I ask (if the question is appropriate)in this forum. When I ask general "people" questions that deal with the college life or the greek system, etc., I may ask a number of people on several message boards. It seems as though you were looking for something to pick at. But, I refuse to believe that a woman of AKA could be THAT petty - so I will dismiss the thought and assume that you meant well. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif As for your second post - could you clarify your response. I had a hard time figuring out what you meant and don't want to misinterpret your response. Thank you so much.


AKAtude:

Yes there are questions I'd like to ask. I mentioned b4 that the members at my school are very standoffish and really don't and won't give out any information even if its general. I would like to speak to the Graduate advisor about many things, including but not limited to Intake and application procedures, special guidelines and requirements, etc. that are specific to the university and/or chapter. Is that unreasonable?

I mean no disrespect in any of my posts and I do my very best not to ask innapropriate questions. I just happen to be very direct. Please do not look for hidden traces of sarcasm or ridicule in my words - as they would be blatant if it was my intention. My interest lies with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

AlwaysDivine.. As a memeber of this illustrious organization can I offer you just a piece of advice.. Maybe you should tone down the sarcasm in your posts. And a little bit of humility never hurts anyone. As I read your last post I felt as if you were looking to pick at something by stating "But I refuse to believe that a woman of AKA could be so petty- so I will dismiss the thought and assume you meant well." If you have general questions, fine ask them. But you know that sometimes how the question is asked may overshadow what you are really trying to have answered. Lastly, have you checked our national website. If you have not, that is a great start..

I did ask not to look for sarcasm in my posts as there was none. Please read a Lil' Bit more carefully. I simply stated that I would dismiss the "picking by AKAMonet" becasue I don't think someone of AKA would act that way - that is my honest opinion. I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I HAVE checked website - and there is NOT chapter speciphic information. All that is listed there is the GPA requirement which I far exceed and the college matriculative requirement. There ARE as you surely know different practices and requirements for each chapter.But, thank you for your response - I am sure you MEANT well.

Always Divine: I'm not sure why you are engaging in back and forth with my sorors, since you are seeking their advice, but I will look past that and answer your question by advising you to contact the graduate chapter that works with the chapter. The graduate advisor most likely comes from that chapter, and you can contact her through her chapter. Or, contact your university and get her contact information that way. However, in the end, you are going to need to establish a relationship with the undergraduate chapter members, as they are the ones evaluating your application materials and VOTING on you. If you are relating soley to the graduate advisor, chapter members may perceive you in a less than positive light.

Words to the wise: Discretion and Humility.

Thankyou DiscoGoddess for your response. I am making great efforts to know the members, but, they do not give much information. I will contact her the way you suggested if possible for the questions concerning protocol. I was not looking to her as a door - but rather a locksmith stating the manner in which the key should be shaped. An example of why I would to speak to her is that at a nearby university, the GPA requirement is a 3.5 cumulative for that chapter and the interests must engage in certain kinds of community service in addition to whatever they are already doing. You would not know this unless you spoke to the grad advisor or someone who spoke to them. I was not going back and forth to be disrespectful - its just that I asked a simple question with no hidden meanings and it was taken somewhere else - and I chose toclear up the matter. I do not deal with unnecessary pettiness - and wanted to make sure that it was known and that I hope that such was not the case. I made the assumption that it was not - but, just in case it was I decided to mention it. I meant no disrespect for the third or fourth time. But, all I will stand for is respect.

Thanks again for your info.

AlwaysDivine, what you are asking is not unreasonable, but it seems as though the information you are seeking can be obtained if you attend a rush. I think you should take Soror DG's advise and try to establish a relationship with the sorors in that chapter because they hold the votes, not the advisor. Also, the advisor is not there for interested young ladies to access; she is there for my sorors. Don't think that by contacting the advisor that you will get what you are seeking. Just because she is not visable or easily accessible those interested does not mean she is not in contact with the undergrad sorors.

Besides being an AKA, graduate advisors have lives, too! If she does not show up at events then maybe an assistant graduate advisor is there or a representative from the graduate chapter who you are not familiar with is there. This happened at times during my undergrad days. As for how to handle the sorors who "scornfully watch" people who
speak to her, you have to make that call. You now know that if you approach her you run the risk of being seen and watched unless they change their attitudes. Or, you may approach her but don't allow the conversation to appear deep or intense.

I hope this helps. Also, I and other sorors have made our e-mail addresses available. You are free to send us your questions. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks so much for the response. I will continue to establish rapport with the members and hopefully the ladies in the chapter at my school will have an informational soon.

First of all, I am a graduate advisor and was asked by some of my sorors not to engage any conversations from wearing that hat, because, ultimately you will be responsible for all information. I interpreted your questions posted on both boards as inciteful and quite disrespectful. Your questions you are asking should not be a concern of yours and no one will ever give you the answer you seek even if you are blunt about it. If you are serious about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. your only concern should be about making sure your GPA is excellent, making sure your "stuff" is together, making sure your material is submitted in a timely manner.

Should you ever want to contact the graduate advisor, it would be in your best interest to have a very good reason to do so. You will have to justify why you absolutely need to speak with her. The graduate advisor works closely with high ranking members within the Sorority. That is all I can say on that matter.

As far as I can say about the "standoffishness" that you may have observed from some of my younger sorors is that there are things you will have look beyond. Moreover, since you feel you have to be very frank with people, then understand that some people will be openly honest with you. Currently, some people here are courteously telling that you need to "tone it down a bit". If you are incapable of doing that, you risk your acceptance to some organizations--including my Sorority. Why? Given your attitude, you may have made my younger sorors at your campus very angry. I will not lie to you, first impressions are lasting impressions and your abruptness shows your level of intelligence in your approach. Some people will be intolerant of your insolence.

And how can you expect someone your own age to immediately want to work with you and want to overlook how you are presenting yourself? If you consider yourself a leader, you must seriously work on understanding the art of diplomacy, interpersonal relationships and know how to be a good follower. Sometimes, you have to humble yourself to be compassionate and to be of service to all mankind...

All information that you should be concerned about in regards to the Sorority is in some books, on the official website, this board as well as others and attending as many Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. functions as possible including Rush. That is all that will be told to you by all of my sorors.

Also, it was my intention to be THAT petty so that I could get the information I needed on you. And moreover, I can get more if I have to and I will give it to whom I need to...

[This message has been edited by AKA_Monet (edited October 15, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by AKA_Monet (edited October 15, 2000).]

AlwaysDivine.....First, I am in total agreement with my Soror AKA_Monet. Secondly, I was not reading into anything. I read it exactly how you portrayed it. Thus, I do not need to read a "Lil' bit more closely." What I stated is exactly how I meant it. However, I am starting to sound a little too sarcastic, thus I will stop since I am already a member of this organization and not seeking information. I was merely trying to help you. And I still believe that toning down your "direct" approach would be beneficial. Like my Soror stated, if you feel the need to be frank with individuals, expect individuals to be openly honest with you as well. I feel that one can be direct and have tact as well as being direct without it. Lastly AlwaysDivine, please take the advice of my Soror AKA_Monet.

AlwaysDivine, for the sake of peace you simply should not have responded...again. If you fail to respond, the thread will die on its own. Sometimes part of being humble is to just let things go. I'm glad that you think so highly of yourself. Now, take the higher road and...let it go.