All you fraternity men.. Help please

original katy · #1 12-13-2003, 07:58 PM

Hi my name is Katy and I am from Australia. I am doing an assessment for school about fraternities and sororities and was wondering if anyone if a fraternity would like to do an interview for me. it can be anonymous and its not an exposure type assessment. if you would please email me at mercury_kitten@hotmail.com.
your help would be really appreciated

PhiPsiRuss · #2 12-13-2003, 08:17 PM

I will respectfully decline participation in this project. I recommend that anyone who chooses to do so, first request a list of questions, and then run it by your HQ.

PsychTau · #3 12-13-2003, 09:30 PM

I believe that our NPC agreements state the same (that all surveys must be viewed/approved by HQ before submitting any type of information).

Katy, if this is for a large scale project (like a thesis) you might be able to get lots of information by contacting NPC headquarters at www.npcwomen.org That site will also list the 26 NPC sororities and give you links to each group's website, which will give you contact info for their HQ.

What kind of project are you doing?

PsychTau

PhiPsiRuss · #4 12-13-2003, 09:33 PM

You can find contact information for NIC groups at http://www.NICIndy.org/

original katy · #5 12-13-2003, 09:46 PM

Well i just wanted a personal view.. i'm 17 and doing it for class... its not a big thing.. just questions like "whats the typical day like for you"but if you dont want to do it then fine... i'll try find more people. i live in australia so know pretty much nothing about fraternties excpept what i have read. Its not an exposure, read all about it in the news type thing...

decadence · #6 12-13-2003, 10:13 PM

In the absence of any specific national fraternity policy which forbids helping with a survey... I think this could potentially be a perfectly pleasant public relations exercise and interesting for both parties who take part. I don't get the impression (from the academic level i.e. at school) that this is meant to be a torried, deliberately slanted "éxpose!!"

, more a fraternity experience in the words of men in them; erm, thing (and likewise for sororities).

I see why the reluctance/cautiousness might be there but I definitely think it is being over stressed here and there is the risk of losing out on a good and valuable opportunity to communicate about greek life, outside of a potentially biased media article! I think there is zero chance of her knowingly asking anything "secret", and fraternities are not like the Skulls or something that should not be talked about!
I hope people will respect this post is just my opinion.

Katy, I'm not in an American fraternity. I would certainly help if I could. I know there are many, many people on here who love being a part of their respective group. I hope some people will come forward to chat to you via an email about their sorority/fraternity experiences.

eta: As this post is just my opinion... please PM me if you would like to discuss anything I have said as my intention is not to create a hornet's nest in this thread!!!

kddani · #7 12-13-2003, 10:26 PM

I know that most fraternities and sororities do have explicit clauses about speaking with members of the media. There have been many times that members of the media have tried to trick and persuade GLO members to give them statements for various purposes. Being that this is the internet, it's very hard to trust someone, and it's better to err on the side of caution. Trust me, I "felt the wrath" after speaking to a NYTimes reporter last year (fortunately she agreed not to quote me).

The advice that has been given is the best advice that could have been given. If you are truly interested, contact the headquarters of the groups. Explain your project, and they'd probably be more than happy to help get you in contact with members.

Not only that, but it would make your paper a lot more professional if you "went to the top" so to speak.

Also keep in mind that this is a difficult time of the year to get ahold of people. It's finals for most college students, and the beginning of winter break- students aren't at school, etc.

Good luck on your project, but this isn't the best resource for you to use. One thing i've learned about research throughout high school, college, and now law school, is that internet sources are considered very weak as sources unless they're from a verifiably, official site of a group (such as getting court documents from the Supreme Court website). The anonimity of the internet lends itself to misleading statements and facts. You're better off using primary sources.

James · #8 12-13-2003, 10:41 PM

Sheez lol. Just send me your questions by PM and I'll take a look at them for ya.

Quote:

Originally posted by original katy
Well i just wanted a personal view.. i'm 17 and doing it for class... its not a big thing.. just questions like "whats the typical day like for you"but if you dont want to do it then fine... i'll try find more people. i live in australia so know pretty much nothing about fraternties excpept what i have read. Its not an exposure, read all about it in the news type thing...

Betarulz! · #9 12-14-2003, 12:53 AM

First off, I have to wonder about talking to the media clauses. I went through all of the code of Beta Theta Pi and no where was any sort of reccomendation except in the case of a major risk management violation is there any mention of even talking to the media, let alone any sort of regulations about it.

Second, I have to question the motives of such policies...seems like there are many situations where regulations about talking to the media would be difficult to enforce. Any sort of blanket policy is bound to have so many loopholes that it would be ineffective at best.

Third, this project is for a high school student...in Austrailia. And from the sound of it, a "From the top" view isn't what she is after. If she is interested in "a day in the life of" a collegiate member, talking to fraternity officials is going to be not at all what she's looking for. Nor are most top officials really going to feel the need to spend time talking to a high schooler from Austrailia...maybe it's just me but do you really want your international officials spending there time on something like that?

Fourth, just because you don't think it's something you would do, doesn't mean that others out there feel the same.

If this young lady is willing to meet some requests to cover her sources in case something is amiss, I think that there are few reasons against agreeing to an interview. Especially since you get to see the questions beforehand, if it's not something you feel comfortable with, then just reply saying so. Also if there are things you are worried about "getting out" just keep them to yourself, and question what it is that makes you so uncomfortable about your actions.

PhiPsiRuss · #10 12-14-2003, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Betarulz!
First off, I have to wonder about talking to the media clauses. I went through all of the code of Beta Theta Pi and no where was any sort of reccomendation except in the case of a major risk management violation is there any mention of even talking to the media, let alone any sort of regulations about it.

Second, I have to question the motives of such policies...seems like there are many situations where regulations about talking to the media would be difficult to enforce. Any sort of blanket policy is bound to have so many loopholes that it would be ineffective at best.

Third, this project is for a high school student...in Austrailia. And from the sound of it, a "From the top" view isn't what she is after. If she is interested in "a day in the life of" a collegiate member, talking to fraternity officials is going to be not at all what she's looking for. Nor are most top officials really going to feel the need to spend time talking to a high schooler from Austrailia...maybe it's just me but do you really want your international officials spending there time on something like that?

Fourth, just because you don't think it's something you would do, doesn't mean that others out there feel the same.

If this young lady is willing to meet some requests to cover her sources in case something is amiss, I think that there are few reasons against agreeing to an interview. Especially since you get to see the questions beforehand, if it's not something you feel comfortable with, then just reply saying so. Also if there are things you are worried about "getting out" just keep them to yourself, and question what it is that makes you so uncomfortable about your actions.

First, you should wait until monday to contact your HQ, and ask them.

Second, a policy that is not fully understood is not necessarily invalid. Why don't you ask the author(s) of the Beta policy. I'm sure that a lot of thought, and real world experience went into it.

Third, assuming that she is exactly who she says she is, her report can still be inadvertantly used as negative P.R. Have we verified her ability to write a balanced article? Have we verified that the article won't be electronically published? And even though I believe that she is sincere, has anyone verified her IP address as Australian? As President Reagen once said, "trust, but verify."

Fourth, the issue is not whether one person is making a judgement call about the validity of the actions of others. The issue is that many, if not most NIC groups, would want to at least be consulted before proceding further, and that many just might prohibit participation. Or not. Is waiting until Monday so unreasonable?

James · #11 12-14-2003, 01:08 AM

"Its better to ask for forgiveness than permission "

-Jesuit Saying-

Quote:

Originally posted by russellwarshay
First, you should wait until monday to contact your HQ, and ask them.

Second, a policy that is not fully understood is not necessarily invalid. Why don't you ask the author(s) of the Beta policy. I'm sure that a lot of thought, and real world experience went into it.

Third, assuming that she is exactly who she says she is, her report can still be inadvertantly used as negative P.R. Have we verified her ability to write a balanced article? Have we verified that the article won't be electronically published? And even though I believe that she is sincere, has anyone verified her IP address as Australian? As President Reagen once said, "trust, but verify."

Fourth, the issue is not whether one person is making a judgement call about the validity of the actions of others. The issue is that many, if not most NIC groups, would want to at least be consulted before proceding further, and that many just might prohibit participation. Or not. Is waiting until Monday so unreasonable?

kddani · #12 12-14-2003, 01:12 AM

original katy- out of genuine curiousity, what kind of class is it that you're writing a paper on the american greek system? Just wondering what kind of class that would fall under.

original katy · #13 12-14-2003, 02:27 AM

I am really sorry this has caused such a problem for everyone. I have tried to email groups but they dont email back. I cant really ring up America too often. Someone mentioned its better to use primary sources but I was just wondering how I am going to interview someone in Australia when there is no greek network here.
This site has proved to be really effective because i already have 3 people willing to talk to me. I just wanted a broader view. Thank-you for the people who support me on this one. I truly am from Australia but dont know how to verify it. I live in Newcastle, NSW if that helps at all. In response to "kddani" it a Society and Culture class. This assignment I am doing is called my Personal Interest Project (PIP) and I know of sororites and fraternities from movies and reading about them in magazines. This PIP thing has been going on for years now and Greek Life has never been done so i thought I would do it. My assignment will not "inadvertantly used as negative P.R. "
This isnt going to be an article, it will be read by my teacher to make sure its alright and then read by the PIP marker. They wont care about the subject, only how well i write about it. and i am not a member of the media. If you cant help me then please dont abuse me. I didnt expect this kind of reaction. 2 women and a man have offered to help so i thought more people would be welcoming.

PhiPsiRuss · #14 12-14-2003, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by original katy
I am really sorry this has caused such a problem for everyone. I have tried to email groups but they dont email back. I cant really ring up America too often. Someone mentioned its better to use primary sources but I was just wondering how I am going to interview someone in Australia when there is no greek network here.
This site has proved to be really effective because i already have 3 people willing to talk to me. I just wanted a broader view. Thank-you for the people who support me on this one. I truly am from Australia but dont know how to verify it. I live in Newcastle, NSW if that helps at all. In response to "kddani" it a Society and Culture class. This assignment I am doing is called my Personal Interest Project (PIP) and I know of sororites and fraternities from movies and reading about them in magazines. This PIP thing has been going on for years now and Greek Life has never been done so i thought I would do it. My assignment will not "inadvertantly used as negative P.R. "
This isnt going to be an article, it will be read by my teacher to make sure its alright and then read by the PIP marker. They wont care about the subject, only how well i write about it. and i am not a member of the media. If you cant help me then please dont abuse me. I didnt expect this kind of reaction. 2 women and a man have offered to help so i thought more people would be welcoming.

Katie,

There is no need to apologize. The caution that I, and others, am recomending does not call for no cooperation with you. I am merely recomending that people wait until Monday when they can run this by their parent organizations. Also, you did not cause us any problems. At least half of us like to argue for the sport of it anyway.

Feel free to be part of this online community.

Tom Earp · #15 12-14-2003, 11:54 AM

Katy,

I for one always wanted to travel to Australia!

I think you have taken a bold step in trying to somewhat explain American Greek Social Culture.

Please do not feel to badly about some of the things said on greekchat. We as a group have been burned by other people coming on the site who do nothing but try and stir up trouble.

While I am an Alum of my school, I remember vividly some of the times and tribulations having started a Local and trying to not only being recodnized by the School, but find a National Affiliation.

Even though it may be old news to some, most on greekchat joined an existing Greek Organization so do not have the same experieces that I have had.

I you are still interested, please contact me via PM!