Canadian contingent

gphi2k · #1 01-31-2001, 04:57 PM

Hi,
I'm from a sorority up in Canada and given the small number of Canadian respondants on this website, I was curious to know if any memebers of houses, either sorors or frats, have come up here to visit Canadian chapters. If so, did you find them different in anyway from the American chapters in general. I realize that a comparison in any manner would be a generalization of sorts, but I'm cuious to hear your opinions.
Thanks,
Leslie
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Gamma Phi Beta
University of Toronto
Alpha Alpha

[This message has been edited by gphi2k (edited January 31, 2001).]

Tom Earp · #2 01-31-2001, 06:31 PM

One of my Brothers , who I met on line via our International site is from W Onterio ( Canada). I have had many chats with him and NO MATTER where He is from or what chapter He is from He is still My Brother as no matter what, we went though the same Ritual. We are Brothers for life!
Remember, the Greeks seem so be taking all of the heat! Ask why?
It IS BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES WHO DO ON CAMPUS!!!! Independents just melt into the buildings. We are basically some what of an elite group as when you graduate, you have more to show than just grades! You have been officers, and school leaders. God it is great to be GREEK!! I have been one since dirt was old!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

#3 01-31-2001, 08:41 PM

Leslie,
Glad to see some other Canadians posting on this site! There is a large difference between Canadian and American chapters. The largest difference would be the number of initiated members each year. A smaller student base, lack of support from University administrations, combined with a stronger anti-greek sentiment, make rush a fair challenge. Isn't the University of Toronto taking an aggresive stance on getting rid of greek life? Did anyone in your chapter attend the Canadian Intrafraternal Conference this past November? Seminars like that really aid in understanding the greek system in Canada, and how to work within our boundaries to expand our chapters. Drop me an e-mail if your interested in discussing this further.
Jamie
Carleton University

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Sigma Pi Fraternity- Come find us, before your girlfriends do.

gphi2k · #4 02-01-2001, 10:22 AM

Jamie, thanks for your response. The odd thing about initiated numbers is that it is not a national phenomenon. Yes, most University campuses in Canada have very small numbers, but for some reason, the University of Western Ontario boasts HUGE numbers. Very strange anomoly over there.
U of T's numbers average around 25/30 girls per house, and we have 7 sororities on campus. Our ceiling is very low. I think it's only 45. Few houses every reach it though. I'm not sure about numbers in the frats, but they vary considerably between houses. Relative to American houses, however, the numbers are quite low.
You are right, we are not recognized by the U of T. There isn't an agressive stance against the greek system at U of T per say, but every year, Student council has their pro or con stance towards the system as a part of their platform. Nothing every happens one way or the other though....

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Gamma Phi Beta
University of Toronto
Alpha Alpha

[This message has been edited by gphi2k (edited February 01, 2001).]

UNFSigmaChi · #5 02-01-2001, 03:19 PM

I've only had a couple of experiences with Sigma Chi's from Canadian chapters. I still hung out with them because they are brothers and we exchanged ideas about various topics, but they just act WAY differently than every other sigma chi's i've met within the US. They come off as acting wierd....they are deffinatly different. When you go to our leadership training workshop you can look around at different brothers there and pick out the canadians. They stick out from everyone else usually but they are sigs so they are still cool in my book.

gphi2k · #6 02-05-2001, 04:37 PM

UNFSigmaChi:
I'm VERY curious to know which sigs at which school you've met. I used to know a bunch of the sigs at my school and some were, well.....let's just way i want to know who you met before I say anything. The chapter here is pretty small, and the guys I was closest to in the house where guys who were from other chapters in Canada, but staying at Toronto's Chapter house.
Regardless, I do think that saying that you could pick the Canadians out of a crowd is a bit of a harsh generalization. I guess that's why I'm curious which chapter you came into contact with. It's not very fair to judge our whole country on the basis of a few weird seeds.

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Gamma Phi Beta
University of Toronto
Alpha Alpha

Lil_G · #7 02-05-2001, 04:48 PM

Yeah i have to agree with leslie, you can't stereotype all canadian chapters as the same. Sigma Chi has 9 chapters in Canada, at some schools they're the largest on campus while at other schools they have a different reputation. Here at OttawaU Sigma Alpha Mu (sammies) are the dominant fraternity, however their other canadian chapter at western is nothing like the guys here.