Who is the real cause of all the problems?

[Lady Pi Phi]

I have come to my own personal conclusion that it's greeks themselves that are the cause of the negative stereotypes of GLO's and that greeks themselves are NOT doing anything to stop it.

After reading serveral recent posts I am disgusted by the behaviour of several different members from different organizations on this board.

We are all entitled to our opinions. We won't always agree and yes things get a little emotional, but I notice that many people on this board are throwing out insult after insult about each others organizations or governing bodies. I believe that greeks themselves are the worst offender of perpetuating negative stereotypes, and unless we stop doing it ourselves how do we expect non-greeks to do the same.

Shame on us.

[James]

Yes, but disagreeing with umbrella organizations or not thinking other nationals are particularly sharp are not the classic negative stereotypes associated with greeks.

Those stereotype are almost imposible to perpetuate here because they invovlve drinking, sex, and elitism in membership selection.

Since this isa bulletin board we can't get get together for drinking and sex, and membership selection really isn't a factor either.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by Hootie
I think what she's saying is that we simply need to be respectful adults when it comes to disagreements.

And I would completely agree with this sentiment.

[Glitter650]

Originally posted by honeychile
And I would completely agree with this sentiment.

Co-sign


HOWEVER even on this board recently there has been perpetuation of the "classic" neg. stereotypes you mentioned James.. can I site the "Barbie girl chapter" thread/abercrombie model thread... not to mention the "best sorority on campus" thread

[adpiucf]

I agree that we all need to be respectful adults. However, with collegiate Greek members ranging in age from 16-24, young adults of this age are learning what it means to be independent, mature and adult. College is when they are testing the waters, and mistakes will be made. This is a generalization, to be sure, but it is true of the vast majority of undergraduate students, Greek or no.

The reality is that all college students face the same choices as Greeks. Greeks just happen to be a highly visible component of college life. Thus, the stereotype.

So long as Greeks continue to provide members with ongoing trainings, leadership, etc., and open discussions on what is appropriate, we can do our best to curb the excesses we read about in the papers (hazing, alcohol, assault.) So long as college campuses are providing its students with the necessary training, education and resources, we can guide these young adults to make responsible decisions.

[Tom Earp]

adpiucf, God We can only Hope cant We!

The compitition among Greeks on Campi for members is the main problem. Oh, We dont want so and so to be bigger than we are! Okay Fantastic, but in the mean time as We all know, it is detrimental to the total picture for Greeks! The BS and infighting makes ALL GREEKS LOOK BAD!

[James]

Hazing and assault are really not all that common except in their most liberal interpretation.

Originally posted by adpiucf

So long as Greeks continue to provide members with ongoing trainings, leadership, etc., and open discussions on what is appropriate, we can do our best to curb the excesses we read about in the papers (hazing, alcohol, assault.) So long as college campuses are providing its students with the necessary training, education and resources, we can guide these young adults to make responsible decisions.

[James]

Greeks being good looking is a stereotype Darlin'? Perhaps we should foster that. I could use the ego boost.

Also, I hardly think that deliberately recruiting ugly people in response is a reasonable solution.

And if you aren't conscious of looks during recruitment . . you are rather unique.

I was being a little tongue in cheek earlier. I know Lady Pi Phi was just pissed and had the need to burden us with her venting.

Originally posted by Glitter650
Co-sign


HOWEVER even on this board recently there has been perpetuation of the "classic" neg. stereotypes you mentioned James.. can I site the "Barbie girl chapter" thread/abercrombie model thread... not to mention the "best sorority on campus" thread

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by James
Greeks being good looking is a stereotype Darlin'? Perhaps we should foster that. I could use the ego boost.

Also, I hardly think that deliberately recruiting ugly people in response is a reasonable solution.

And if you aren't conscious of looks during recruitment . . you are rather unique.

I was being a little tongue in cheek earlier. I know Lady Pi Phi was just pissed and had the need to burden us with her venting.

My apoligies for burdening GC with another thread. Won't happen again.

[James]

Well I like you Lady Pi Phi, but are you really promising not to be more sensitive about issues than . . say I would be?

That would be fairly rare for a girl lol.

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
My apoligies for burdening GC with another thread. Won't happen again.

[Glitter650]

Originally posted by James
Greeks being good looking is a stereotype Darlin'? Perhaps we should foster that. I could use the ego boost.

Perhaps we should foster that but that is a WHOLE thread all on its own...
however.. you mentioned the stereotype of "elitism of selection" before did you not ? I was just pointing out that we have perpetuated that steretype on this online chat forum with the Barbile girl chapter thread and the Abercrombie boy thread ... I was just attempting to point out that it IS possible for us to perpetuate the "classic stereutypes" you mentioned in your post ,even online, with threads such as those.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by James
And if you aren't conscious of looks during recruitment . . you are rather unique.

I was being a little tongue in cheek earlier. I know Lady Pi Phi was just pissed and had the need to burden us with her venting.

My chapter must be rather unique then. Choosing girls (or guys) based on looks is, I can't think of the word, but maybe materialistic? I know that's not the word but I can't think of it right now.

But I think the hot boys/girls thread is fun. Who doesn't like looking at hotties? It's not like they are being made fun of. Now if there was a thread with "Biggest Dog Chapter" then yeah that would be perpetuating a Greek stereotype.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by James
Well I like you Lady Pi Phi, but are you really promising not to be more sensitive about issues than . . say I would be?

That would be fairly rare for a girl lol.

No just that I wno't burden you with any more thread about sensitive issues. James I don't want to do anything that would put a burden on your life

[honeychile]

Come on, James, none of us are rocket scientists, but surely we can all see a difference between "good-looking" and "Barbie-doll"!! As much as you'd like to protest, you know this to be true, too.

As for excusing the younger Greeks for testing their limits, well, there are limits to that, too. Maybe they need to be told that their behavior is inexcusable, and warned that they will be banned. And if it continues, they should be.

As a Greek community, we should be working as one in building up the positive image that Greeks are hard working, able to manage their time, able to delegate, able to cooperate, etc - in other words, the better adult, the better employee. Everytime ONE Greek messes up, the whole system wears the black eye.

Lady Pi Phi, you were spot on, and created some good dialogue. Don't give in to those who can't rise above the trash!

[James]

You gals are reinventing cultural Judiasm and applying it to the Greek system. If my dim recollections of religious studies serve me, cultural Judiasm, as reflected in the Old Testament, has a serious component of guilt.

There is an idea that any infraction, by any member, can lead to a violation of the Covenant with God and the abandonment of the Whole People.

Greeks are human we make mistakes, and we also suffer the judgment of those that interpet our actions as mistakes because they don't approve.

I am not sure that appeasement is the answer. And I definitely don't believe that working to create a facade of a Harmonious G-Rated DisneyWorld (or even PG-13) to keep our actions hidden is right or proper.

Originally posted by honeychile



As a Greek community, we should be working as one in building up the positive image that Greeks are hard working, able to manage their time, able to delegate, able to cooperate, etc - in other words, the better adult, the better employee. Everytime ONE Greek messes up, the whole system wears the black eye.