These chicks need their heads examined!!

[33girl]

I found this in Online Hermes, but I didn't see it on U-Wire.

New reality show to feature 'Sorority Life'
MTV in California to film, will air program this summer
By Joe Helfirch for the California Aggie

(U-WIRE) — The popular music television station MTV has chosen a University of California at Davis sorority to be featured in a new television series in July.

The show, tentatively titled "Sorority Life," will mostly focus on the sorority, its members and the traditions that are a part of life there. This series, highlighting the daily drama of sorority life, will be an account through the eyes of sorority members and pledges.

For the past several days, the greek system here has been abuzz with rumors and speculation as to who the show would cover. Rebecca Sanford-Smith of Kappa Alpha Theta said it had become common knowledge among the greek community that Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish-interest sorority, had been selected by MTV.

"We can't deny that things go on, like hazing," said show creator Sergio Meyers in an interview with Daily Variety. "My position is to provide an opportunity for members to come forward and tell their side of things. We really want to get in there and look at how a more than 100-year-old tradition has been somehow preserved."

An MTV spokesperson said there may be a follow-up series on a fraternity, depending on the success of this production.

According to the UC Davis website, this is a group that sprang up when the A E Phi chapter there closed.

[FuzzieAlum]

Great ... why do I suspect there was a very good reason A E Phi left campus, and these girls aren't the best representative of Greek life?

[AGDLynn]

Given the popularity of "reality" based shows plus this being on MTV, I am sure that there will be situations that are not sanctioned by their school's administration, HQ, ....

Are they a local "Greek" organization? That would explain how they are getting away with it... But will MTV show disclaimers that they are a local group and not under the auspices (did I spell that right?) of a national headquarters? Yeah, right!

This leads me to believe that MTV is willing to promote untrue sterotypes about what fraternities and sororities are like for publicity purposes and do not have to face the consequences. Greek life can be such a positive influence but hey, MTV would find it boring if they focused on positive things like high scholarship, leadership, philanthropy, community involvement, etc. Many of the viewers may not see a distinction between what locals can get away with and NPC/NIC Greeks can't/shouldn't.

I know what my IHQ's reaction if one of our chapters even said the letters MTV!

[Optimist Prime]

yay drama!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, maybe it'll be a good thing. I think that will show greek life in a positive way and that the media is starting to come around. Why do I think that, I'm an optimist thats why.

[NinjaPoodle]

FYI--so you at least know who you're talking about!

Link to all Davis sororities UC Davis Greek Life

Link to SAEP Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi--local @ UC davis

[KarenC725]

All I can say is should be interesting...

[AchtungBaby80]

Even if there is a disclaimer that says this sorority is local and yada yada, I bet it still won't mean much to a lot of people...the ones who don't know anything about Greek life. They'll still think all sororities and fraternities are the same. It's been an ongoing battle to try and explain to my boyfriend (who's not American) what Greek organizations are really about, and I still don't think he's grasped the local/national concept yet.

[KillarneyRose]

No surprise here that they had to go to a local. No sorority with an outside governing body would touch this with a ten foot pole!

Guess what though? I have to admit I will probably watch this

[HeidiHo]

I've never been a huge fan of MTV, but this ticks me off. I'm seriously at a loss for words. This local is going to go on a huge TV station and misreperesent millions(?) of legit greek organizations.
When I first read the article I thought that Theta was going to be on the show. I was like "WHAT?!" I'm glad I reread it.
H~~~~

[XO_Princess]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HeidiHo
I've never been a huge fan of MTV, but this ticks me off. I'm seriously at a loss for words. This local is going to go on a huge TV station and misreperesent millions(?) of legit greek organizations.
When I first read the article I thought that Theta was going to be on the show. I was like "WHAT?!" I'm glad I reread it.
H~~~~ [/QUOTE

Heidi, I thought that too!! I was like, OMG Theta's going to do this?? But then I read on

[Optimist Prime]

Okay now I am confuesed. Is NPC a governing body?? I thought it was like a union. Like a, "hey, we have common interests, lets work together so none of us gets screwed, because if one falls, we all fall" type thing.

[h2oot]

Typical MTV. I wonder how long it takes before they show a pillow fight with squealing girls bouncing on beds in pjs. Geeze, they should stick to music and let National Lampoon cover the Greeks...lol.

[Eirene_DGP]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AGDLynn

[B] Are they a local "Greek" organization? That would explain how they are getting away with it... But will MTV show disclaimers that they are a local group and not under the auspices (did I spell that right?) of a national headquarters? Yeah, right!.......
Many of the viewers may not see a distinction between what locals can get away with and NPC/NIC Greeks can't/shouldn't.



Ok, I am kind of upset by your comment about locals would do this and nationals would not. You are implying that locals would want to get on national television and bad mouth their organization/Greek life in general, but yet nationals would not do the same. Just for your information, and anyone else who has posted negative comments about locals/up and coming nationals, I love my organization just as much as you love yours and "Most" of us would NOT put down our orgs. on national television. Everytime there is something in the news about "NATIONALS" hazing and openly discriminating, you don't see us locals saying, "Yeah make sure you differentiate that they are nationals and the locals had nothing to do with it." Last semester when ALL of the NPHC at our school was put on probation b/c of hazing you didn't catch the locals talking about, "Yeah those nationals are at it again."

[SigkapAlumWSU]

Personally, I think that MTV is known for sensationalizing many of the stories that they cover.. And why not.. it makes good tv.. good tv eyals good rating. But IMHO, I don't think that MTV will give a fair sided view on this.
If they were really going to do a story on greek life, why not approach the HQ of a GLO or the Pan or IFC or anything HQ... Give equal coverage to both sororities and fraternities, mutlicultural orgs, ect. We all know that as one member does not represent an entire org, neither does one chapter. I don't know if it's an NPC rule, but I know we are not allowed to talk to media as a representative of the entire org. I think that it's a good policy, and for the most part keeps you from saying/doing anything stupid and that can be taken the wrong way.
I'm not saying that approaching a local is a bad thing, but i don't know if locals are governed nationally (hence the name local??) and therefore can represent themselves.

[dzrose93]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
[B]

Originally posted by AGDLynn

Are they a local "Greek" organization? That would explain how they are getting away with it... But will MTV show disclaimers that they are a local group and not under the auspices (did I spell that right?) of a national headquarters? Yeah, right!.......
Many of the viewers may not see a distinction between what locals can get away with and NPC/NIC Greeks can't/shouldn't.



Ok, I am kind of upset by your comment about locals would do this and nationals would not. You are implying that locals would want to get on national television and bad mouth their organization/Greek life in general, but yet nationals would not do the same. Just for your information, and anyone else who has posted negative comments about locals/up and coming nationals, I love my organization just as much as you love yours and "Most" of us would NOT put down our orgs. on national television. Everytime there is something in the news about "NATIONALS" hazing and openly discriminating, you don't see us locals saying, "Yeah make sure you differentiate that they are nationals and the locals had nothing to do with it." Last semester when ALL of the NPHC at our school was put on probation b/c of hazing you didn't catch the locals talking about, "Yeah those nationals are at it again."

Eirene,

I don't think AGDLynn intended her words as an insult to locals. The problem is that the general public doesn't know the difference between a local GLO and a national GLO. Whereas national GLO's are under the authority of a large governing body, most locals are not. Our rules are much more strict than many local regulations, and we are not allowed to do many of the things that some locals can. Drinking at rush parties is one example (for national sororities anyway). And, although hazing is illegal on college campuses, locals get away with it sometimes more easily because they don't have to answer to any national headquarters or worry about losing their charter if someone at HQ finds out that they are doing something wrong. I realize that not all local chapters are that way, and that most local members are very proud and respectful of their group's reputation, but - just like with national GLO's - there are always a few bad apples in the bunch.

At any rate, I think what AGDLynn was trying to say is that she is afraid MTV will show the local sorority partying hard with their letters displayed for the world to see, acting in ways that a national sorority would never be allowed to, but that most viewers won't realize that there is a difference between the local and national groups. Most viewers will not know that the national Greeks have strict rules prohibiting some of the very things that some local Greeks do on a daily basis. (For example, the National Greeks have been prohibited by their HQ to participate in anything that MTV is filming.)

Anyway, I just wanted to try and clarify things a little. I hope you aren't offended by me jumping in. One of my best friends is in a local sorority, and I am very impressed by their organization.