Quote:
Originally posted by Taualumna
If there are multicultural/historically minority organizations on campus as well as NPC/NIC, do you think the latter two would less likely become diverse? Would you think that it is an issue? Is there a way to encourage minorities to go through recruitment at historically white organizations (HWOs)? I'm just asking because many HWOs want to diversify themselves, but often find it difficult.
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I have to admit it is an interesting thread... at least in trying to understand the emotions and pressures that led to the founding of some ethnic (or religious) GLOs... particularlly looking from a school & greek culture that is pretty embracing.
In the case of Fraternities here at UofT it is debatable whether the appearance of AEPi and APhiA made the other houses more or less diverse than if they hadn't appeared... however I am of the opinion that they have helped, as they have raised awareness of GLOs within communities that haven't had that great of a greek pressence before.
From the time when they both started up at my college, I have seen a greater awareness amongst both the student community and the faculty too... mainly because of the educational and community events that both orgs. have organized or hosted. While a minority of community feedback was negative the vast majority was positive and encouraging.
I have seen debates about whether either org. was "needed" on campus, considering the already diverse nature of the greeks as it was (and is). But both groups had some persuasive arguements for coming (or back) to UofT:
- in APhiA's case UofT was their Gamma Jewel (chapter) way back in 1908, so there was a historical imperative to restarting the chapter; other than the cultural arguement that black students didn't feel that they had ample options available to them in the greek culture (could be argued).
- in AEPi's case it could be easily argued that the existing GLO's didn't present a comfortable religious enviroment for Jewish students, being that most if not all GLOs are based on the Christian tradition; so there was a need goinging unfullfilled at UofT and AEPi filled it.. and rather well judging by the fact that their posted strength is about twice that of the Fraternity average here.