[Opie25]

Enchantress:

I will try to answer your questions, the best I can from my perspective...I hope it's helpful.

Why is it when Greeks see those people with the "SOON TO BE_________" shirts on they get extremely offended? I mean I would think that if someone loves your organization that much you would be flattered...hmm

First of all, yes it is good to see people wearing your letters, and having pride in your group...if they are a member of your group.

Seeing someone wearing a "soon to be" shirt would upset me for a couple of reasons

1) my letters hold secret (and sacred) meanings to myself and my brothers, so having someone who just "likes" my org wearing them is bothersome to me, they don't know the meaning, solemnity, or ritual of my group (or at least I hope not) and therefore shouldn't be wearing them until they can better understand the significance and the meaning of them.

2) As fraternity and sorority members we receive a lot of negative publicity (most from actions of our members) but regardless, having someone whom you don't personally know wearing your letters opens you up to the chance that they won't live up to your standards, may act in an inappropriate manner , or disgracr your chapter or organization. If a member does something in letters or even without there are judicial procedures that they will go through...with Joe or Joann Random...there's not the check system.

3) Personally, anyone who would have the ego (or gaul) to wear a soon to be shirt would not be someone I would like to have in my group....they obviously have a ridiculously high opinion of themself, and an attitude to match.

Why is it that BGLO's can't say the word PLEDGE? I don't know if this is true

I am not a member of a BGLO, but did advise the NPHC local concil in grad school. I don't know if it's a matter of them not being able to say the word pledge.

I would say that it would have to do with being a "Pledge" and going through the "pledging" process. Because, all nine NPHC organizations banned together and have "outlawed" pledging in their groups. The process formally known as pledging is now called intake. In the past "pledging" carried or still might carry on some campus a negative connoation (hazing, etc.)

Actually many fraternities and sororities (not all) no longer use the term "pledge" some feel it's just outdated and carries to much of a negative connotation for people.

Why is it that NPC sororities aren't allowed to talk to prospectives?

NPC has a set of guidelines that all member groups have approved known as the Unanimous agreements. In these agreements is a process for formal recruitment (rush) procedures.

These policies are in place to hopefully insure that the process is fair, and clear of biases. Therefore the NPC women in sororities should not talk about their group or other groups outside of their recruitment events....it is just a means to hopefully guarantee that no one is promising membership to their organization, bad mouthing other groups, and following all the other procedural processes.

Why is it in the Greek system fraternities/sororities are becoming more of cliques

I don't really know how to answer this one, because I'm not absolutely sure what you are asking. But I think you want to know why do the chapter members seem similar and hang togehter (ie. like a clique)?

People find common connections with individuals and groups of people, thus the reason they join that organization. So, on the outside it may seem like they all look the same, do the same, act the same, but there actually is a lot of diversity in terms of background, ideas, majors, family, and even beliefs.

If someone were to look at a group of you and your friends, they might notice many similarities and draw conclusions about you and them based upon those observations...that doesn't mean that they are true...just their perceptions and what they can pick out on the surface level.

I'm sure that you and your friends differ in many ways, but at first may seem similar to outsiders.

The truth is often times, if you talk to a fraternity or sorority member and ask them why they joined that group. They can usually name one person that had a big impact on them and will be like "Joe Random, and I really clicked." He seemed like the type of person I want to be friends with.

Hopefully, of course they will like the majority of the chapter and not just that one person, but often it is just that one person who "seals the deal."

Hope I was able to answer some of your questions.

Thanks for listening.