exactly what is skating?

[ll10]

i'm new to greek life - researching on the frats on campus and most likely pledging for one... i've heard the term skating and although i have kind of an idea of what it is, it's not so clear on my head. what's skating?
thanks!

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by ll10

i'm new to greek life - researching on the frats on campus and most likely pledging for one... i've heard the term skating and although i have kind of an idea of what it is, it's not so clear on my head. what's skating?
thanks!

Oh dear.

The search button is your friend. If GreekChat doesn't work, there's always Google.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/ar...hp/t-1246.html
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/ar...hp/t-2604.html

FWIW, in my experience here on GreekChat, the use of that word is frowned upon and I've seen many people get sensitive about it here.

Judging from your post, I'm going to assume that you're interested in an NPHC fraternity. That said, if I were you, I'd refrain from asking any questions on intake and membership online and follow the guidelines set forth by the fraternity you're interested in.

[ll10]

thanks for clarifying that - i didn't know it was such a sensitive subject... but i'm glad i know now...

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by ll10

i'm new to greek life - researching on the frats on campus and most likely pledging for one... i've heard the term skating and although i have kind of an idea of what it is, it's not so clear on my head. what's skating?
thanks!

I'll tell you exactly what it is. A skater is a joker who just signs his/her name on the dotted line without going through any kind of pledge process. At least that's what it was when I was in school. Unfortunately pledging has gotten so strict for safety reasons that now a pledge is pretty much forced to skate in.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by PrettyBoy

I'll tell you exactly what it is. A skater is a joker who just signs his/her name on the dotted line without going through any kind of pledge process. At least that's what it was when I was in school. Unfortunately pledging has gotten so strict for safety reasons that now a pledge is pretty much forced to skate in.

Speak only on your own org. Delta's legal process is hardly skating in. And as someone who pledged when hazing was not illegal and there were no time limits, I know the difference. Strip away all of the nonsense (hazing) and you have a REAL process that is strictly about business.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Speak only on your own org. Delta's legal process is hardly skating in. And as someone who pledged when hazing was not illegal there were no time limits, I know the difference. Strip away all of the nonsense (hazing) and you have a REAL process that is strictly about business.

I was speaking of the way it was when I was in school on my campus. All the greeks on our campus referred to it that way. I'm not sure how it was on other campuses or how it is now.

[CutiePie2000]

Skating is reaping the benefits of something without actually having to work for those benefits (i.e. "earn" them). I see this behavior demonstrated by my boss on a daily basis.

Apply this concept how you will to Greek Life.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Skating is reaping the benefits of something without actually having to work for them / earn them. I see this behavior demonstrated by my boss on a daily basis.

Apply this how you will to Greek Life.

Exactly.

LOL at your boss.

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Skating is reaping the benefits of something without actually having to work for those benefits (i.e. "earn" them). I see this behavior demonstrated by my boss on a daily basis.

Apply this concept how you will to Greek Life.

The first time I heard the term skating was while I was in the service....and it's exactly as you described - folks who don't do crap, but yet they get a paycheck, and when advancement cycles come around, if they pass the test and advance to the next paygrade, they get more money to skate. It made for alot of resentful sailors who DID bust their @$$ to do a good job, only to be on the same pay level as a skater. Too bad that performance doesnt equal pay in the military.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Skating is reaping the benefits of something without actually having to work for those benefits (i.e. "earn" them). I see this behavior demonstrated by my boss on a daily basis.

You have now given me a new nickname for my boss. Thank you!

[angelnside]

thats how confusion it may be. someone can be considered a skater in the undergraduate world, but don't the graduate chapter do the same thing. In the graduate chapter, you pay your money and BAM!! you are apart. so why is it ok in the graduate chapter, but looked disgusted in the undergrad world??

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by PrettyBoy

I'll tell you exactly what it is. A skater is a joker who just signs his/her name on the dotted line without going through any kind of pledge process. At least that's what it was when I was in school. Unfortunately pledging has gotten so strict for safety reasons that now a pledge is pretty much forced to skate in.

I thought skating was what you did on ice......

**snicker**

[DSTCHAOS]

Yes, "skating" (as in expecting an outcome without the hardwork) is a term that exists outside of Greekdom. I'm glad people pointed that out.

Hi, Ladygreek.

PrettyBoy, I understood what you meant. So now as a grown man away from a college campus, you know to edit that definition to include Greeks who wear letters and brag about how hard they were HAZED but who don't contribute financially or service-wise. They're still reaping the benefits without the hard work. And whether they worked hard to get the letters in the first place is ALWAYS a matter of opinion and perspective.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by angelnside

In the graduate chapter, you pay your money and BAM!! you are apart.

Maybe in your graduate chapter.