Quote:
Originally posted by AXPGoBot
I'm sorry to disagree nauadpi, but if you pledge with that attitude, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. A sorority or fraternity isn't just some club that you can drop out of it you don't like it (that's what Student Government is for  ). It means a lot more than that. It's for life. If your grades are suffereing because you're in a sorority you're doing something wrong or your sisters aren't being as udnerstanding as they should. There are very few extreme circumstances where you should even think of "quiting." Sorry to disagree nauadpi, but I don't want Jamie to get the impression that she can just leave if she doesn't like it. It doesn't work like that, or at least shouldn't, if you claim to have a devotion to your organization.
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AXP, I admire your post, but I must agree with NAUADPi. While the Greek experience is intended as a Lifetime Experience, a college student is enrolled in college to excel academically. If he/she cannot balance Greek Life with school, then Greek Life should be something that is put on hold. If someone fails out of school, then their membership in their GLO is also in jeopardy. I would encourage any student to put school first, before their social life. Being Greek is a wonderful and valuable experience with many benefits, but if one is barely getting through college, then the Greek experience is not something that is beneficial to them at that time, and they need to seriously consider their priorities and long-term goals. As much as I want every GLO member and PNM to take membership seriously, and I know they do (most members would prefer to go without AOL everyday for the rest of their lives than give up their membership b/c they are so devoted to it! That's devotion!!!! LOL), every GLO collegiate member must understand that part of their responsibilty to their GLO includes good grades and personal acheivement. If this is not possible as a result of that person's involvment in the GLO b/c they are not able to balance the two, then the GLO and the member are doing one another a disservice by not helping that member acheive his/her academic potential.
I am proud to be a lifetime member of my sorority, and prouder knowing that my sorority has an excellent academic monitoring and scholarship program (as we all do!) to help members balance school and sorority, but not every individual member is able to handle both these responsibilities. When push comes to shove, school is why you are in college. If an uninitated member needs to take time out for school, they can go through recruitment again. If an initated member must leave to focus on other areas in their lives, there is always the possibility of membership reinstatement as an alum. And to those unable to have the Greek experience in college, they may pursue alumnae initation after they have graduated. It is possible to be devoted and make Greek Life a lifetime experience, but school must always come first.
I am sorry to ramble and I don't intend to offend anyone. Greeks make the greatest effort to promote scholarship internally, and make an effort to help members balance their social life with their school life, but not every member is able to make that balance work for them. And ultimately, the member needs to do what is right for them and their future. A PNM needs to understand that as they come in, they are signing on for something wonderful, special and sacred, but to also know that their friends will be there for them if they have re-prioritize their lives. A sister/brother always wants their friends to succeed. That is the true measure of fraternity-- love for one another.