A local sorority at USC?

[kaeb]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

She's criticizing the same system she wanted to be a part of, now all of a sudden "they" don't live up to 'their' values. Funny that. It may not be sour grapes, but it is certainly misplaced. She doesn't "know" anything other than the partying that happens on most college campuses. She has no idea whether Suzy miniskirt calls local businesses during the daytime to request donations for their silent auction for their philanthropy. Or whether Daisy Drank-too-much also volunteers at the homeless shelter. Or is top in her field of engineering and this party was letting off some serious steam.

Even if you can find terrible examples of greekdom on any campus, you can find exemplary examples on the SAME campus. OP painted the entire system with a broad brush despite her expressed desire to join it.

it's possible to want to be a part of Greek life at SC or even be a part of Greek life here and acknowledge that it has some flaws, particularly with the way Greeks are perceived. Our image is a major problem right now, and pretty much everyone here knows it. Yes, there are awesome people who have 4.0s/do tons of community service/etc, but right now at SC, that's not how most people see Greeks, especially in light of the whole sex-on-a-roof/viral email/tons of transports/social probation thing. It's hard to see past that into what Greek life really is occasionally, but I think SC2013 has to some extent, and that's why she wishes to join a sorority, despite all the image problems that come with Greek life as a whole at SC right now.

I don't want to sound super bitchy or whatever, but I think it's a lot easier to criticize her if you don't go to USC and aren't familiar with what's going on here right now. Like I've said many times before, I love my sorority and couldn't be happier, but I get where she's coming from.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by kaeb

it's possible to want to be a part of Greek life at SC or even be a part of Greek life here and acknowledge that it has some flaws, particularly with the way Greeks are perceived. Our image is a major problem right now, and pretty much everyone here knows it. Yes, there are awesome people who have 4.0s/do tons of community service/etc, but right now at SC, that's not how most people see Greeks, especially in light of the whole sex-on-a-roof/viral email/tons of transports/social probation thing. It's hard to see past that into what Greek life really is occasionally, but I think SC2013 has to some extent, and that's why she wishes to join a sorority, despite all the image problems that come with Greek life as a whole at SC right now.

I don't want to sound super bitchy or whatever, but I think it's a lot easier to criticize her if you don't go to USC and aren't familiar with what's going on here right now. Like I've said many times before, I love my sorority and couldn't be happier, but I get where she's coming from.

The message she sent was that you and your sisters don't live up to your values. Everything else you're saying shows you're not getting what we're saying. Were she on my campus - one where I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge its flaws - I would expect no one to listen to her, or join her interest group.

[kaeb]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

The message she sent was that you and your sisters don't live up to your values. Everything else you're saying shows you're not getting what we're saying. Were she on my campus - one where I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge its flaws - I would expect no one to listen to her, or join her interest group.

The message I got is that it looks like Greeks as a whole aren't living up to their values. And I'm saying that I get where she's coming from. If I were to take a step back and try to look at Greek life with an outsider's perspective, I'd say she has a valid point. I am an insider, so to speak, though, so I know that we're more than that, but I get where she's coming from. Apparently I'm one of the only ones here who does, though.

Also, sidenote, but I think our chapter is doing a fine job of living up to "one hope of many people."

I don't think she would have much success starting a local only because of how unwilling girls would be to join a new sorority, much less one with no national affiliation. Many people have said things along these lines, and I agree with them.

Yes, she said some very harsh things about Greek life, but they're really not anything new. Yes, it hurts knowing that's what non-Greeks think of us, but that doesn't make them think any differently. And yes, we, as the USC Greek community, are working to change those perceptions, but it's not easy.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by kaeb

The message I got is that it looks like Greeks as a whole aren't living up to their values. And I'm saying that I get where she's coming from. If I were to take a step back and try to look at Greek life with an outsider's perspective, I'd say she has a valid point. I am an insider, so to speak, though, so I know that we're more than that, but I get where she's coming from. Apparently I'm one of the only ones here who does, though.

Also, sidenote, but I think our chapter is doing a fine job of living up to "one hope of many people."

I don't think she would have much success starting a local only because of how unwilling girls would be to join a new sorority, much less one with no national affiliation. Many people have said things along these lines, and I agree with them.

Yes, she said some very harsh things about Greek life, but they're really not anything new. Yes, it hurts knowing that's what non-Greeks think of us, but that doesn't make them think any differently. And yes, we, as the USC Greek community, are working to change those perceptions, but it's not easy.

All Greeks includes you too.

And I don't think anyone here is shocked or hurt by what she said. Maybe USC Greeks are, but that suggests you were unaware of the problem until she so kindly told you what was wrong. It's not a matter of not getting where she's coming from. I get it. That doesn't make her any less condescending in the process.