when sororities are dissing each other during rush

ASUADPi · #1 02-14-2004, 10:00 PM

I decided to post this question in the rush forum because it is kind of sort of a rush question, it deals with rush. Moderators please feel free to move it if necessary.

Okay here is the situation. My chapter of initiation is presently struggling with numbers. Anyway, I have just discovered that they might not be participating in fall rush because of their numbers. I have contacted the recruitment director for my province and was told one of the problems that occured last fall was that when the PNM's were visiting the other houses on campus the other housings were completely badmouthing this chapter.

I find this completely and utterly disrespectful in the first place but to do it during formal recruitment that is beyond low. What is worse is that Panhell didn't really seem to care (all this is from the chat I had with the recruitment director).

Here is my question, since I am more than determined to help with fall rush how do we make sure the other chapters aren't talking crap and if they are how they get punished for it? It is totally NOT COOL for panhell to sit aside and allow it to happen.

I would love to hear any advice you all can give me on this very sticky situation.

Brianna

starang21 · #2 02-14-2004, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ASUADPi
I decided to post this question in the rush forum because it is kind of sort of a rush question, it deals with rush. Moderators please feel free to move it if necessary.

Okay here is the situation. My chapter of initiation is presently struggling with numbers. Anyway, I have just discovered that they might not be participating in fall rush because of their numbers. I have contacted the recruitment director for my province and was told one of the problems that occured last fall was that when the PNM's were visiting the other houses on campus the other housings were completely badmouthing this chapter.

I find this completely and utterly disrespectful in the first place but to do it during formal recruitment that is beyond low. What is worse is that Panhell didn't really seem to care (all this is from the chat I had with the recruitment director).

Here is my question, since I am more than determined to help with fall rush how do we make sure the other chapters aren't talking crap and if they are how they get punished for it? It is totally NOT COOL for panhell to sit aside and allow it to happen.

I would love to hear any advice you all can give me on this very sticky situation.

Brianna

why punish them? confront them about it.

honeychile · #3 02-14-2004, 11:06 PM

I'm not in a huge search mode, but I seem to remember at least two threads that claimed this happened during fall recruitment. It seems to happen most when one desperate sorority says that XYZ is doing badly and going off campus the next year. Very thirdgrader stuff!

In all honesty, the more I became involved with Panhellenic Council, the more I loved my GLO! I wish more women thought panhellenically!

ASUADPi · #4 02-14-2004, 11:11 PM

but what does confronting them do if they still continue with their elementary school behavior? Nothing. Because from what I have been told, they were confronted, yet they continued to do it. And what does it matter, the damage has been done. If the sororities at this school are this shallow what makes anyone think that they won't talk crap again this fall?
Brianna

NutBrnHair · #5 02-14-2004, 11:21 PM

It's a very frustrating situation, I know, but honestly I think there is very little you can do about it. The only thing we can "control" is what happens at our own recruitment parties. (For that matter, we really can't even completely control what individual members say.)

Anyway, the only thing I would try would be to appeal to the alumnae advisors and/or the presidents of the NPC groups. Have someone like the Greek Advisor stress that the women of each group should be saying positives about their group & nothing negative about others.

AXWhoah · #6 02-15-2004, 12:47 AM

I'd like to put my two cents in since I happen to be in a chapter at the school where ASUADPi was initiated. I never heard anything about other chapters saying bad things, certainly not mine.
ADPi has been doing poorly here for some time, they were way below total when I was a freshman going through formall recruitment in 2000. At a school with a competitive greek system it's not possible to succeed when your numbers dip as low as theirs have.
They have had many people drop and having known some of these women it's not the other sororities that are doing the bad mouthing if you catch my drift.
In short stop blaming this on the other sororities because it is not our fault that your chapter is failing.

NutBrnHair · #7 02-15-2004, 12:55 AM

Ooooookay.

I know it is frustrating if you hear rumors that other groups are bad-mouthing you. Honestly, even if it is happening it probably isn't making that big a difference in your return rates. Smaller groups are going to struggle during formal rush. The PNMs can see that the group is smaller and come to their own conclusion that something must be wrong. It's a perception, but as we know...perception=reality.

This being said -- I think the most damaging thing can be to the self-image of the sorority when they hear that negative things are being said. It's a feeling of total frustration -- it makes them feel powerless. I would definitely not pass along these rumors to the group and I would try to difuse any announcements that are made regarding what the other groups are doing/saying.

honeychile · #8 02-15-2004, 01:02 AM

I'm not going to pretend that I know about this chapter or campus in particular, but I've seen & heard of it at others. There are so many subtle ways of "deep-sixing" a struggling chapter, and we all know it.

I can name two chapters at my school who each came back for fall recruitment with SIX members each (different years). With Panhellenic help, and their own National Organization's help, both chapters are doing just fine.

Whether or not this is happening at ASU (is that the school?), the Panhellenic Council there and on every campus needs to stress the need to rush on two levels: the sorority and the panhellenic. When one chapter goes down, it doesn't build up the other sororities on campus, it brings the whole system down.

This past year, we did a WONDERFUL job in not posting any "rush plugs" during Recruitment, and for the most part, were terribly panhellenic. Let's not spoil it now!

GeekyPenguin · #9 02-15-2004, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AXWhoah
I'd like to put my two cents in since I happen to be in a chapter at the school where ASUADPi was initiated. I never heard anything about other chapters saying bad things, certainly not mine.
ADPi has been doing poorly here for some time, they were way below total when I was a freshman going through formall recruitment in 2000. At a school with a competitive greek system it's not possible to succeed when your numbers dip as low as theirs have.
They have had many people drop and having known some of these women it's not the other sororities that are doing the bad mouthing if you catch my drift.
In short stop blaming this on the other sororities because it is not our fault that your chapter is failing.

How Panhellenic of you, not saying anything bad about their chapter.

I think Panhell needs to address this issue ASAP and if there is proof a sorority is exhibiting such an attitude, they should get a rush infraction. In addition, I think that perhaps you should contact the Greek Life directors at several of the schools that have Panhellenics that have helped other groups succeed (I can't think of the names offhand, but they've been mentioned on here) and ask them how they go about it, then make suggestions to the Greek Life director at your school about what they did and how your school could do this.

Glitter650 · #10 02-15-2004, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AXWhoah
I'd like to put my two cents in since I happen to be in a chapter at the school where ASUADPi was initiated. I never heard anything about other chapters saying bad things, certainly not mine.
ADPi has been doing poorly here for some time, they were way below total when I was a freshman going through formall recruitment in 2000. At a school with a competitive greek system it's not possible to succeed when your numbers dip as low as theirs have.
They have had many people drop and having known some of these women it's not the other sororities that are doing the bad mouthing if you catch my drift.
In short stop blaming this on the other sororities because it is not our fault that your chapter is failing.

wow do all of the other chapters on campus have as good and helpful an attitude as you do ?? I'm sure that helps out the ADpi's there....

while it may not be the other chapter's fault you could at least have a bit better attitude about it... I mean she came here to ask for help because she loves her GLO and initiation chapter and wants to see it thrive... not to be told "ohhh too bad you suck... ".....

bruinaphi · #11 02-15-2004, 02:23 AM

It is my understanding that Panhellenic and the other groups on campus have been doing a considerable amount to try to help the struggling chapters at ASU. They even implemented the ice water round last year (or has it been two years now) to try to make all the chapters look the same size in the first round.

From what I know of the GA and the Panhellenic counsel they would have given major rush infractions if they had known this was going on. Why don't you call the advisors for your chapter and try to find out if their perceptions are the same as your provence rush persons? Have you offered to serve on the advisory board? Do you guys have a Panhellenic Advisor? The best way to help a struggling chapter is to have advisors who care -- and it sounds like you do. Get involved, find out what is going on and work with the other advisors and international volunteers to create solutions.

Good luck!

Tom Earp · #12 02-15-2004, 01:05 PM

If true at ASU, how sad. LXA just pull the Charter recently and was always sad to lose any Chapter from nay GLO!

Right now, My Chapter is having major membership problems when 3 years ago, we were one of the largest on campus.

Some are so narrow minded, they dont realize, you do not stay on top or near it for ever. All comes to pass sooner than later and it is a crushing blow. SigEp just had their House cleaned out and were left with 3 Active and 1 Associate member. Dont ask why as I do not know.

If there were more interaction at the campi, as there is on GC then the whole system would grow stronger for all!

But sadly this doesnt happen that often!

Membership Greed is what I call it!

rhochi2002 · #13 02-15-2004, 01:35 PM

I can totally sympathize, my chapter was not doing well a few years ago. There were other chapters on campus that had members that were badmouthing us. but overall the other groups were really supportive. There are always going to be people in other groups that talk smack, about your group, and there is nothing you can do make them stop.
But you can do lots of things to make you group better. You girls can work on sisterhood, nothing is better than a strong sisterhood. and smaller groups can become even closer. you can make sure that you have a showing of sisters at campus events, parties, etc. Basically bust your butt with great PR.
Also, I can not stress enough, do not talk negatively in PUBLIC about your chapter, any other chapter or the greek system. People are always listening... I can't tell you how many things I have over heard!
If you work hard your chapter will be back on top soon. our chapter is at total, We have an awesome new member class.
Good luck

AXWhoah · #14 02-15-2004, 02:44 PM

First off, we're not talking about ASU. Second off the problem is not with panhellenic not helping, becuase my chapter used to be struggling and they stood by us plenty. It's gotten to the point where they have had bad rush after bad rush and they're at the point where there really isn't anything you can do for them.
Thirdly I'd probably be a little nicer if their girls weren't such bitches, some of the most unfriendly woman I have ever met are in this chapter. They're big time shit talkers and so they shouldn't be surprised if people talk back.
Finally I'd like to reiterate that I have never heard of anyone saying bad things about them during recruitment and both me and my best friend were recruitment counselors (different years too), this seems to be a unfounded rumor.

GeekyPenguin · #15 02-15-2004, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AXWhoah
First off, we're not talking about ASU. Second off the problem is not with panhellenic not helping, becuase my chapter used to be struggling and they stood by us plenty. It's gotten to the point where they have had bad rush after bad rush and they're at the point where there really isn't anything you can do for them.
Thirdly I'd probably be a little nicer if their girls weren't such bitches, some of the most unfriendly woman I have ever met are in this chapter. They're big time shit talkers and so they shouldn't be surprised if people talk back.
Finally I'd like to reiterate that I have never heard of anyone saying bad things about them during recruitment and both me and my best friend were recruitment counselors (different years too), this seems to be a unfounded rumor.

And with an attitude like that you were obviously a fabulous and unbiased recruitment counselor.

This makes me really glad that I pledged at a school with no Panhellenic.