question about UGA frats

[UGATammy]

Qwerty:

I was a DPhiE at UGA ('01-'05) and also known as "pic-man" for a lot of the Greek events (socials, formals, philanthropy, etc.) Pretty much all of the fraternities are great! There's a lot of fraternities to chose from, but don't just limit your decision on their reputation. Honestly, when you meet the guys it's whether if you get along with them and vice-versa. Granted their rush is way different than the girls, but in theory it's about the same. Think about what you are really looking for. There are a few fraternities that are rebuilding and if you are looking into helping create new history, then check them out. As a pic-man, I went to a lot of socials, and honestly I have never said that I hated ABC fraternity. They have always been very nice to me and made sure I had a great time. As well as being a fellow Greek, they have been supportive to my sorority and have always been very kind. So, I say just take it as it comes. When rush comes, just enjoy the experience and you'll definitley know which one you want. I totally would not base my decision on their reputation. Everyone interrupts things differently. Either way, you'll have a great time and get a chance to meet people who will have an impact on your life forever. Best of luck to ya!

Tammy
Psi Chapter - Delta Phi Epsilon
University of Georgia
Go Dawgs!!!!!!

[jon1856]

What Tammy said is so true and important.
Rush has two sides; yours and the houses.
The chapter Brothers want to learn all they can about you in a very short period of time. And you wish to learn what you can about all of them in a very short period of time.
Best idea: keep your eyes and ears open, try to talk to the younger Brothers, as they are the ones that you will be spending the most time with.
Do not start rush with a given idea of any house. You start with a blank page for them all. Just as you are a blank page for them.

The only thing that you may wish to learn is who is in trouble with UGA. And what kind of trouble it is. If it is a matter of breaking of rules, that should be a yellow flag. And I say that because my House is no longer around because they fell apart internally and went from a Fraternity house to something well beyond Animal House. Being known as a party house is not neccesarly a bad thing nor a good thing. Being social is good, being supid is very bad.

[shinerbock]

Well I think this is good advice. However, having been in a fraternity at an SEC school, I think you should do your research. Finding out who is in trouble is a good start, but ask around (sorority girls) and get a general consensus of who is tops on campus. Of course, you'll need to find the best fit for you, but as with most southern greek life, if you fit in well one place, you'll probably fit in well at 15 others. That being said, by all means, don't suicide rush only the top few fraternities. Go with the mixture of the best on campus, and the one you like the most. The great thing about the SEC, is even if you're not in a top tier fraternity, theres a good chance that the chapter you're in will still have great people, great connections, great parties, and plenty of girls around. The reason I bring up the researching who's best, is because I've had friends in similar situations join a good fraternity, only to find they probably could have pledged one that was a little better on campus. Granted, no matter how it works out you'll have a good time, but why not try for the best.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well I think this is good advice. However, having been in a fraternity at an SEC school, I think you should do your research. Finding out who is in trouble is a good start, but ask around (sorority girls) and get a general consensus of who is tops on campus. Of course, you'll need to find the best fit for you, but as with most southern greek life, if you fit in well one place, you'll probably fit in well at 15 others. That being said, by all means, don't suicide rush only the top few fraternities. Go with the mixture of the best on campus, and the one you like the most. The great thing about the SEC, is even if you're not in a top tier fraternity, theres a good chance that the chapter you're in will still have great people, great connections, great parties, and plenty of girls around. The reason I bring up the researching who's best, is because I've had friends in similar situations join a good fraternity, only to find they probably could have pledged one that was a little better on campus. Granted, no matter how it works out you'll have a good time, but why not try for the best.

What is suiciding in fraternity rush? Is like sorority recruitment where you only look at one house?

[shinerbock]

Yeah, it isnt very common anymore, but back when I was a freshman/soph, it would happen a lot. Some fraternities on campus would only give out bids at the end of formal rush, and if you didn't come to every event or party or whatever, you were less likely to get a bid. I'm not sure about UGA, but at Auburn most of the bidding is now done way before formal rush, often at parties or beach events over the summer. Thus, it makes suicide rushing much more unlikely, as most fraternities have their pledge class going into formal rush. But regarding that, I guess my point was not to shut off all your other options by just focusing on one or two. Keep your backups open.

[FSUZeta]

shinerbock, i am glad that you brought up the summer rush events, because i am intrigued by the concept. some friends of my children who will be freshmen at a southern school have received letters from a few of the fraternities inviting them to summer get-togethers.

the ifc at that school does have summer rush rules, which i had never seen before. i think it is a great idea to post them, so that the newbies know what should and should not be going on.

what happens to the freshman who lives far away, or for whatever reason cannot make these summer parties? might they miss out on a bid from the top houses?

[jon1856]

I went to a school of 2,800 undergrads which at the time had even split of 7 & 7.

Tops on campus was nothing really noted. The Drug house was, the jock house was ( althought the jocks were only around the house during rush week......), the Blow-dry house, The Hawain house, the Business house et al.
All the houses had good and bad, was just a matter of who fit where the best. I believe I received 3 bids.

Again, small school, small Greek system. Up at U of W IIRC 35 & 28 and thier rush parties were crazy. Not sure if I could/would have gone through that.......

Asking around may not be bad, but the best info is what you get first hand. Because anyone you ask is going to have, for what ever reason(s) a biase pro/con.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

what happens to the freshman who lives far away, or for whatever reason cannot make these summer parties? might they miss out on a bid from the top houses?

The short answer is no.

However, it is important that the chapter knows that the freshman (rushee) is interested and not just blowing them off. Depending on the campus and chapter, letters may have been sent only to certain freshman that the chapter is actively rushing. In other words, not every incoming freshman who has expressed an interest in Greek life may have received an invitation to the summer event. So if attending is simply not possible, the freshman should send the chapter a letter - usually to the Rush Chair and/or President - letting them know that while he is interested, he can not attend.

With few exceptions, there are no campus totals or quotas for fraternities and chapters may take as many men as they want. So while a chapter may have a "full" pledge class in place by fall, if the chapter knows there is a freshman who wasn't able to attend a summer party and is rushing during formal, they can check him during formal rush and may extend him a bid.

Now having said that, this still might put those freshman who were unable to attend a summer party at a disadvantage simply because a chapter may not feel it *needs* to add any additional pledges. And as such, they may not put much effort into formal rush.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by UGATammy

Qwerty:

I was a DPhiE at UGA ('01-'05) and also known as "pic-man" for a lot of the Greek events (socials, formals, philanthropy, etc.) Pretty much all of the fraternities are great! There's a lot of fraternities to chose from, but don't just limit your decision on their reputation. Honestly, when you meet the guys it's whether if you get along with them and vice-versa. Granted their rush is way different than the girls, but in theory it's about the same. Think about what you are really looking for. There are a few fraternities that are rebuilding and if you are looking into helping create new history, then check them out. As a pic-man, I went to a lot of socials, and honestly I have never said that I hated ABC fraternity. They have always been very nice to me and made sure I had a great time. As well as being a fellow Greek, they have been supportive to my sorority and have always been very kind. So, I say just take it as it comes. When rush comes, just enjoy the experience and you'll definitley know which one you want. I totally would not base my decision on their reputation. Everyone interrupts things differently. Either way, you'll have a great time and get a chance to meet people who will have an impact on your life forever. Best of luck to ya!

Tammy
Psi Chapter - Delta Phi Epsilon
University of Georgia
Go Dawgs!!!!!!

I attended UGA '01-'04 (and had my photo taken by Tammy!) and agree that all of the fraternities have a pretty good reputation among the sorority ladies... every girl has her favorites, but every girl's favorites are different. Very few have a set rep as the "party," "smart," "rich," etc. houses because there are so many of them on campus... there are some that have reputations as being more "Southern" houses, but that's about it (and it's easy to tell that during rush).

[UGATammy]

dgdramadawg so has it on the nail. Trust us, your son will see which fraternities he likes more. But you have to stress to him that it's so very important for him to go with an open mind. Our opinions don't really matter because everyone is different. All the fraternities and sororities get along and that's why we have one of the best and largest Greek life in the U.S. Honestly, as corny as this may seem, all of the chapters at UGA are special to the campus and it its history. It would be so odd to not have one of the chapters. So please please emphasize to your son, to just go in with an open mind and be ready for anything, not to mention take in the experience and just have fun!

Oh yeah, dgdramadawg...that's is soo cool that you remembered me! I miss my pic-man days and I can't believe someone recognized me! Thanks for always being so nice to me!

Tammy

[jon1856]

" The final type is the drug house, which is generally full of cokeheads............I think its safe to say SAE has the stranglehold on these houses across the South. That being said, SAE is very good at many southern schools, so if its your thing it may be worthwhile checking out."

shinerbock-Just where are you getting this information from??? Yes, I have heard of some problems at some SAE Houses, but I have also heard of major problems at other houses of other GLO's. Just look what happened at Dartmouth.

Shinerbock-you may wish to re-read this thread. Most posters have said that one can not, should not generalize any house, any chapter, any GLO.

[LaneSig]

Sigma Chi standing up for Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Dude, I cannot believe you have said that SAE has a "stranglehold" on houses with a coke/drug problem. Let us count the ways how that statement is wrong:

#1 - Unfortunately, many chapters of different fraternities at different campuses have members who have/ are developing drug habits. This is a problem within the fraternity system. Although it does tend to be more prevelant in some chapters, it is not as widespread as saying one particular fraternity has the patent on it.

#2 - Do you have friends in every single chapter of SAE? If you do and they have told you drugs are a problem, then you need to tell them to get help. If you don't, then you are going on rumours and hearsay and you don't have facts.

#3 - That statement is just plain wrong.

[jon1856]

LaneSig;

Thank you my Sigma Chi Brother. Very well said and laid out.
The only correction I have is that drugs ( of all kinds and types ) are not a problem only within the fraternity system. All living groups have the problem, it is a sociatly problem.

Greeks get hit, many times, because it is easier to write about ZZZ Chapter of YYY Fraternity than about RRR Dorm.

[jon1856]

shinerbock
"The final type is the drug house, which is generally full of cokeheads. Of course, many times these houses are still good on campus, and I think its safe to say SAE has the stranglehold on these houses across the South."is what you posted. Does not make a difference if National or reginal.
If they are you friends, get them help or get rid of them.

And show us just where your facts on SAE only are coming from. And I will pass your beliefs onto National for their opinion and follow-up

It is not only one living group with problems, as I wrote before.

While my house had some Brothers involved in drug and alchole problems, I could point out a house next door that was generally at 30,000 feet. But I know other chapters of same GLO what were great houses.

Re-read what my Sigma Chi brother wrote.

I do have to start wondering if one has an axe to grind...