Something to Think About?

[KillarneyRose]

Do you think the following argument is credible? Why or why not?


Yes, greeks do not have open membership (meaning that not everyone who wants to be one can be one; they have to be chosen), so they are considered by some to be elitist.

Yet at my college newspaper, you couldn't just walk in off the street and say you wanted to write for it. You had to show a portfolio of your earlier work to prove that you knew how to write a news story.

Men at my college had to be invited to join, or had to try out if they wanted to walk on, the football team. There aren't enough spots on the football team to accommodate everyone who wished they were a part of the team and very few are actually chosen. This was also true for all of the other sports teams.

Women who wanted to be cheerleaders had to try out. Only those who lasted through, I believe, three or four rounds of competition were allowed to be on the squad. Hundreds would try out, but few would make it.

The SGA (Student Government Association) was made up of students who had been voted into office by their peers. Again, not just anyone could walk into the office and announce that he/she was the new SGA President.

When I was at Pitt, there was a small art gallery that showed pieces that were done by students. Any student taking an art class could submit a piece to be considered for inclusion at the gallery. Many did, but most were not chosen to be shown. A small percentage were.

If someone wanted to be in one of the plays the Theatre Arts department put on, they had to audition. And even among those who were chosen, there were some parts that were considered "better" than others.

Why are greeks considered elitist and these other groups aren't when their membership is just elite? (I hate that word but couldn't really think of another).

I'm sure a football recruit must be able to do specific things on the field (hey, I know nothing about football), the prospective cheerleader should know how to tumble and needs to be small enough to be lifted and, obviously, the SGA board needs to be elected into office.

The criteria used by greeks is not as cut and dried, but it is relatively simple. The potential new member needs to "fit in" with the brothers or sisters of the organization. To have things in common with them. GLOs are, after all, groups of people with at least some interests in common, who enjoy being around one another. Just because the membership criteria aren't necessarily tangible and can't be marked on a grading sheet, doesn't make them any less valid.