how are your relationships with other sororities?

greekcheek · #1 02-05-2009, 12:50 AM

do you interact with the other sororities on campus? do joint events?

I've wondered this because people tend to assume that sororities have some sort of rivalry going on, but there are such great women in each sorority, I can't imagine how they would not be able to get along...

KSUViolet06 · #2 02-05-2009, 01:00 AM

I'm not going to tell you that there are no such things as rivalries/competition between sororities at some schools.

Natural competitiveness DOES emerge during certain times of the year between sororities. Like with Greek Week, Homecoming, recruitment, etc. The nature of recruitment and alot of other events do tend to be competitive and there can be rivalries.

At alot of schools these aren't all that serious and tend to die down as time goes on (i.e. after recruitment ends, Greek Week is over, etc.)

Of course things do vary from place to place and competition between chapters at events differs depending on the school and Greek community.

APhiAnna · #3 02-05-2009, 01:22 AM

I agree with KSUViolet06. I'd be hard pressed to find a campus where there isn't intense rivalry going during a period like, let's say, recruitment. It's not that you don't think there are incredible women in other sororities, it's more like you think that those incredible women could steal your rush crush!

At the same time, I think that type of competition is healthy for a chapter as long as they don't stoop to spreading rumors or anything like that.

KSUViolet06 · #4 02-05-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

At the same time, I think that type of competition is healthy for a chapter as long as they don't stoop to spreading rumors or anything like that.

I agree.

Just like with sports or anything else, competition/rivalries can motivate you to do really well at things like Songfest and such.

A rivalry is very different from diberately trying to sabotage another chapter's efforts or defame them in some way.

greekcheek · #5 02-05-2009, 01:30 AM

its possible to make friends with girls from other sororities though, right?

KSUViolet06 · #6 02-05-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcheek

its possible to make friends with girls from other sororities though, right?

Of course.

There's competition, but I find that in most cases it's centered around specific events.

I think most girls at my school had friends in other chapters. One of my best friends from undergrad is in a different sorority.

I think it's fairly normal at most schools for girls to have friends in other chapters. It's not unusual especially with girls serving on Panhellenic Council, being Rho Chis, and such. You get to know alot of girls from other chapters that way.

Smile_Awhile · #7 02-05-2009, 01:42 AM

I just got home from studying with a Gamma Phi friend of mine. We may not be able to call each other sister, but she's a fabulous friend who would help me no matter what. I've even offered to let her stay in my home while we're doing an audition near my hometown.

So yes, it's possible. It depends on campus environment somewhat, but not unusual. But I love my fellow Panhellenic sisters.

GC2theEC · #8 02-05-2009, 01:44 AM

My campus is relatively small, so it's nearly impossible not to interact with members of the other sororities. I agree with everyone else that the cattiness usually comes out around recruitment. However, the rest of the year is pretty mellow. Even if we don't host events together, we make sure to support one another and participate in their events.

Chances are you'll manage to find girls you like in each group. Me and my best friend growing up ended up being attracted to two completely different groups during recruitment. Being friends with girls from different sororities is only a big deal if you decide to make it a big deal.

greekcheek · #9 02-05-2009, 02:53 AM

thats good to know!

I do hope when I rush and *fingers crossed* get to join a sorority, there won't be any hard feelings between me and the other sororities. I'd love to have friends from other houses =)

JohnnyCash · #10 02-05-2009, 03:11 AM

Most Greeks that have "rivalries" with other organizations are those that usually compete over the same kind of rushees or potential new members. But like someone said earlier, most of the time its a natural competition- like during Homecoming, Greek Week, etc.

Kansas City · #11 02-05-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcheek

thats good to know!

I do hope when I rush and *fingers crossed* get to join a sorority, there won't be any hard feelings between me and the other sororities. I'd love to have friends from other houses =)

I believe that you will find that generally any rivalries are at the organizational level and not the personal level. You should have no trouble making friends both inside and outside whatever organization you join.

honeychile · #12 02-05-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcheek

its possible to make friends with girls from other sororities though, right?

When I was in school (and I know I've mentioned this before), we kept a study hour going during midterms and finals for the whole dorm (all but 2 of the sororities were in the same hall). It was for women only (so people could come as they were dressed), for one hour only, and very easy to host. We had a big coffee urn full of hot water, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and any goodies that our alumnae or family sent to us. It was a good time, and it did promote good relations. I don't think they do it anymore (definitely not this year - the hall's being remodeled), but it would be a great ice breaker for any group.

APhiAnna · #13 02-05-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcheek

its possible to make friends with girls from other sororities though, right?

Oh absolutely! One of my best friends of all time is a DG, and I am closer to her than I am to many of my own sisters. There are some girls who will pretty much only have close friends in their sorority, and some girls who will pretty much only have close friends OUT of their sorority and use their sorority more as a social club...but I think 90% or so are somewhere in between. That even makes the rivalry more fun...I love talking with friends from other chapters after recruitment to see who got who and playfully joke about it.

TSteven · #14 02-05-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kansas City

I believe that you will find that generally any rivalries are at the organizational level and not the personal level.

Ditto for fraternities.

aocutiepie08 · #15 02-05-2009, 05:03 PM

I'm friends with a lot of girls from other houses. some of them i knew before, some of them i met during recruitment, and some of them i met after we were both in our separate houses. At UMD i feel like there is natural competition between the sororities... but between individuals, their friendship doesn't change.

PS: i hope everyone's spring recruitments are going well!!