Ouch

[red10]

So we just got this email from our Chancellor this evening:

Dear Students, Many of you may be aware of an event known as Rush. It is my objective to warn you of the potential downsides of Greek organizations. I advise you to not succumb to the aggressive recruitment tactics used by these organizations. It has been my concern over the years, that the Greek culture of alcoholism and lack of respect for the community degrades campus life.These organizations present themselves as prestigious, yet are discriminatory, serve to perpetuate social inequality, especially with respect to the opposite gender, and promote a lack of diversity. Many students have expressed concerns with regards to safety on campus,particularly due to Greek culture and behavior. It is my hope that a student's experience on campus strengthens one's individuality, but the Greek system emphasizes the group above all, without cause or reason. This is detrimental to the purpose of universities.I hope that you will consider wisely.
GDI Chancellor Richard Herman
_____

I assume he is refering to the fraternity rush process (since the sorority recruitment process is so structured), but I can't believe our Chancellor sent this email out without tempering it a little. It seems to knock our entire greek system as a whole.

Considering we have such a large greek population, I'll be surprised if the Chancellor doesn't have to do a little back peddling on that one.

[SWTXBelle]

I would hope the alumni would quickly make their feelings known.

[KSUViolet06]

That is an interesting email considering that UIUC (did a Google search for the guy's name) has one of the largest greek systems in the country (in terms of number of chapters).

This seems to be in rather poor taste, I really don't think this will deter anyone from going through recruitment.

Presidents of other schools have sent out similar emails only to see rush numbers increase.

[red10]

I couldn't believe it either since greek life is such a big thing around here. I can't believe he knocked 99 fraternities and sororities. multiply that by however many hundred are in each and you've just upset a ton of people.

From talking to a few people around here, some seem to think its a fake. Its not signed the way it normally is or something like that. I sure hope it is a fake or if its not that the chancellor says it is anyway to save his butt.

Honestly if someone hacked our massmail system, they are in deep crap. Honestly, who hates the greek system so much that they hack the system to send out an email like that. Why not cancel classes tomorrow or something instead?

Whether its real or not, someone is in for a good kick in the pants

[Benzgirl]

He doesn't need Greeks:

" Herman is also an Eagle Scout, opposed to Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" ...Wiki

Who could oppose St. Patrick's Day?

[red10]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

He doesn't need Greeks:

" Herman is also an Eagle Scout, opposed to Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" ...Wiki

Who could oppose St. Patrick's Day?

He's not against the actual holiday. Unofficial St. Patrick's Day is a huge pre-spring break drinking holiday. Everyone is drunk all day on that Friday and sometimes through the weekend. It was started by a bar owner around here who owns about half the campus bars.
They've been really trying to crack down on it lately. There are a ton of drinking tickets and at least one death, usual a drunk driving accident, each year as a result (although the people who have died in recent years have been students from other universities who come down to party)

[red10]

http://media.www.dailyillini.com/med...-3410444.shtml

Our news paper says its a hoax. Thank god.

I can't wait to hear who did it and watch the drama unfold.

[Zillini]

Glad to see it's a hoax because if it were real it would offend a great many Greek alums who donate big bucks to the University. Doesn't say if an investigation is being launched to find the perpetrator. I hope track this person down.

[I.C. a Pi Phi]

These made me suspicious that its fake:

Originally Posted by red10

Dear Students, Many of you may be aware of an event known as Rush.

One would think the school official "helping" him craft the email would refer to it as "recruitment"

and

GDI Chancellor Richard Herman

Would he actually identify himself as a GDI?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by I.C. a Pi Phi

Would he actually identify himself as a GDI?

That is what screamed fake to me. There's no way a chancellor or anyone working for him would use that term or even acknowledge its existence, especially considering what it stands for.

[red10]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That is what screamed fake to me. There's no way a chancellor or anyone working for him would use that term or even acknowledge its existence, especially considering what it stands for.

What is GDI? I couldn't figure that out when I first got the email and it seems my googling skills leave something to be desired.

[Psi U MC Vito]

If I remember correctly it stands for God Damn Independent. It is not exactly polite which is why I can't see anybody using. Also as was said, there is no way a school official would use the term rush, at least not by it self. It has officially been recruitment for I don't even know how long.

[dukemama]

Originally Posted by red10

What is GDI? I couldn't figure that out when I first got the email and it seems my googling skills leave something to be desired.

God D*** Independent (non-Greek)

[rolltide14]

gdi= god d*** independents
referring to non-greeks

[honeychile]

Glad to hear that the email was sent out by a poser, and not a prank-loving chancellor. I originally had visions of him googling by the hour, to see how many Greeks he offended!