[lovelyivy84]

It seems like the tendency in this thread is for members to argue with interests and non-members who state their opinions.

If you think that their opinions on why Greek Life is declining are wrong, then why don't you tell us what the real reasons are? I think that a lot of the reasons listed are perfectly valid - on the math/science tip for one- I knew an individual at one University who was pre-med, pledged and wasn't able to be pre-med noooo more. THis was a good, smart guy and after that happened to him people on campus in those majors took a long, hard look at BGLOs and generally stepped back.

I know a NUMBER of individuals who pledged and dang near dropped out of school because of the grade situation. It would be one thing if these were isolated incidents, but I have seen it happen repeatedly. There is merit to a lot of these opinions and I feel like members are dismissing them because they don't want to see it.

I went Greek and had a good time doing it, but for all the times I saw unity, trust and sisterhood/brotherhood I saw just as many ugly attitudes, one-upmanship and disrespect of interests. While it is TRUE that we already have our letters and need not cater to them, a certain level of respect should just be a given to ANYONE you come in contact with, as another human being. We certainly do not need to let them take advantage to us, but it is not hard to smile and be cordial when asked about your org.

I love being in an org I consider elite, but I dislike the snobbery and middle class morality that is all too widespread (and completely unacknowledged) within the D9. I don't think many members intend for it to, but it DOES come across as though we think that having letters makes us better and while in the past we could get away with that attitude (because of the economic lines in the orgs, because of the social castes within the HBCU system, where almost all college-educated African Americans had to go) it is a new day and old attitudes have to go.

There is a BIG difference between confidence and arrogance and while a 20 year old college student might be expected to get the two confused, a grown ass man or woman with duties and responsibilities needs to know that difference and be VERY aware of where they fall on that line.