Greek problems at Duquesne University

[Greekie18]

Maybe they can discuss their issues with Panhel and see if other groups are experiencing similar problems, and then as a whole, formally take it to the greek life advisor. I think she would be forced to at least provide an explanation or work on a solution if she received something in writing from all groups.

[DUgrad]

I want to thank everyone who has been watching this thread. Last night I made a decision to call the national president of our chapter. We had a long discussion. She will be making calls to Duquesne University and setting up meetings to meet with Fr. H, head of Greek life, GAC, etc. Living in New York makes me inaccessible to my sisters and our national president has the ability to move into this situation, as an adult and leader of our chapter to help my sisters.

Panhellenic and IFC have been ineffective as well, according to my sisters, so I decided to head to the very top of the chain of command.

[DUgrad]

Byt the way: The president of my national offices stated that she would be getting in touch with ALL the presidents of ALL the women's sororities on campus to cross check these issues. If, after all the facts are sorted through, it is necessary ALL presidents will be making a visit to Duquesne with the hopes of doing this just as the new college year starts.

Maybe this will be the new beginning for all chapters on DU's campus.

[gina342]

I have been largely silent having posted just one message on this site. I would like both sides of these issues to read my message carefully. I want to start with a basic equation: Unhappy undergraduates + unresolved problems = angry alumni who give no money to Duquesne.

I want all of you to think about what has been happening at West Virginia University. It took only one selfish, self-centered, lying egotistical woman to bring down an entire university. Is that what ANY of us want for Duquesne? I don't. Am I happy with the current state of affairs? Nope. Could Duquesne have solved the housing issues with clear messages to its greek students? Yep. Was that done? Nope. Is there blame on both sides? Yep.

So, what do we do? Well, everyone better get to a board table and start to talk. While Craig does not favor this idea it can be done in a civil way with the most articlate people from both fraternities and sororites sitting in the same room using Robert's Rules. People can have a dignified discourse and SOLVE problems.

All of you should think long and hard about what would happen if major newspapers caught wind of these issues. Would all of you like to see Duquesne become the next WVU? Not me. So, work it out, folks.

Administration: Start speaking with one clear voice. No decent family I have ever known speaks with a forked tongue. Quit using jargon such as "empowerment." Its annoying and not part of any real world job or situation.

Greek Students: Talk these issues out with your sisters and for crying out loud, make a decision. Sometimes in life there is a "yes" or "no" answer. You want your sorority/fraternity housing? Great, say "yes." You don't want it...say, "no." Don't make it a competition. Its just housing not the Great Wall of China.

Ok, now let's all get to work, shall we?

Gina Ehrhart
AGD/AO alumnae

[33girl]

Originally Posted by gina342

I want all of you to think about what has been happening at West Virginia University. It took only one selfish, self-centered, lying egotistical woman to bring down an entire university.

I'm sorry, but you've GOT to be kidding. Alumni airing complaints about the Greek system or the admin screwing up housing is not the same as getting a degree you didn't earn - and I would hardly say it took only one woman. There was a whole admininistration complicit in what happened.

(paging Coramoor, paging Coramoor)

The majority of the populace is not going to put "fake degree" and "Greek life declining due to housing cluster@$#k" on the same page.

oh and to rbethea, I realize your fraternity is colonizing at some of the schools you mentioned, but I would hardly say that some of the schools you mentioned have a "strong" Greek system. You have to consider the state of the other fraternities and of the sororities as well.

[perdido88]

I'm glad some issues are being resolved. Let's hope that Fr. H is very receptive and open-minded, so that the whole Greek system at DU comes out well; he still hasn't answered my email from last year. However, this is not entirely good because the local fraternities and sororities (except Gamma Phi) have been eliminated; these held a strong tradition at DU and were some of the first greek entities at DU.

I think "complaining" on a website is good. I am communicating and exchanging ideas and concerns with people that I will probably never meet. Its also increasing awareness of a problem.

If some DU prospect reads this thread, then I hope that they find both arguments and then make up their minds if they attend DU. There is nothing wrong with finding information beforehand... as long as an open-minded perspective is kept. What I don't like is the sycophantic attitude that DU always had.... especially in that rag they call the Duquesne Duke. if you read that, then things are great over there and life is roses. But life is not like that, and there are problems. so it is a good idea to communicate, exchange ideas and concerns. maybe, if those at the administration that I contacted would have answered my emails, then I would have a more positive response.

I will try to email the administration again. Let's see what happens. But they usually never do unless its confirming donations or rsvps to alumni fund receptions.

BTW, why doesn't DU have a forum like this in their website? maybe, they would be in better touch with their students and alumni and figure out everyone's concerns.

[DUgrad]

Perdido88:

I agree with you that students looking into greek life are smart enough to look at both sides and make a decision for themselves. I merely brought up the subject because nothing has been solved in several years when it comes to housing and now recruitment.

It doesn't matter that everyone took quota if the general pool of women and men starting through recruitment is so low. I would like Duquesne to take a blind pole of the student body to pinpoint the reasons that with over 10,000 students on the campus that less than 200 went through recruitment and about half of that number actually pledged a sorority. I don't know the numbers for fraternities but my sisters said they are just as low if not lower.

Fr. H needs to listen as others on this site have commented that if your undergraduates are unhappy they become unhappy alumni who won't give any monies to the university as they are doing at WVU.

Maybe they will get their act together at DU but I'm not holding my breath...they have continued along a path that isn't very positive for many of the alumni who have spoken on this site.

[DUgrad]

Problems are brewing at Duquesne once again regarding greek housing. I am hearing from my little sisters that Fr. Hogan is forcing the chapters to live in Towers. Does anyone else know about this situation?

[gatordeltapgh]

You are not getting the full story. You should talk to your Chapter Advisor to get the real scoop.

In general I would also encourage folks to be more positive about Duquense or take the contructive criticism to the Greek Alumni Council. A lot of PNMs and parents read posts on this site and I do not think that this thread does the community at Duquense justice.

[DUgrad]

Zeta13Girl:

The only risk management factors I have heard of in recent years was a young woman who died when I was in school (Lamb) from alcohol.

Can you tell me what other groups have had risk management problems that I am not aware of?

[AGDLynn]

As a former CA, I want to say how much I was impressed when there were issues on campus that needed the NPC Org. Presidents to get involved with what was happening....and they did!

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

As a former CA, I want to say how much I was impressed when there were issues on campus that needed the NPC Org. Presidents to get involved with what was happening....and they did!

I thought you were going to post something about the condition of The Towers when you were there last summer for VLC!