Intro from a Lehigh Delta Gamma Alum

LehighDGAlum · #1 12-28-2012, 03:35 PM

After learning that the Delta Gamma chapter at Lehigh will likely be kicked out, I've been searching DG threads trying to learn where DG went wrong. It appears these problems have been YEARS in the making. When I was at Lehigh - admittedly a long time ago - DG was a great chapter. Yes, we partied, yes the rules about alcohol were less strict - but we were not as trashy and irresponsible as these girls have been.

That said -- and now I'll seem REALLY OLD - it seems that everywhere there has been a decline in standards. While I'm very sad - and angry - that DG will no longer exist, it seems that the university and the sorority bent over backwards to help. What I wonder about are the parents and the girls. These young women are very smart or they wouldn't have been accepted at Lehigh. There are always a few bad apples - but how did it get to be so bad??

AnotherKD · #2 12-28-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

After learning that the Delta Gamma chapter at Lehigh will likely be kicked out, I've been searching DG threads trying to learn where DG went wrong. It appears these problems have been YEARS in the making. When I was at Lehigh - admittedly a long time ago - DG was a great chapter. Yes, we partied, yes the rules about alcohol were less strict - but we were not as trashy and irresponsible as these girls have been.

That said -- and now I'll seem REALLY OLD - it seems that everywhere there has been a decline in standards. While I'm very sad - and angry - that DG will no longer exist, it seems that the university and the sorority bent over backwards to help. What I wonder about are the parents and the girls. These young women are very smart or they wouldn't have been accepted at Lehigh. There are always a few bad apples - but how did it get to be so bad??

QFP. Oh, my.

AZTheta · #3 12-28-2012, 04:47 PM

Before you throw shade on Delta Gamma, please explain how you've been involved as an alumna.

No, don't. I already know the answer.

I'll say it: Shame on you for coming here and writing what you wrote. I'm pissed. Just go away. NOW. And take your pearls with you so you can clutch them tighter.

AOII Angel · #4 12-28-2012, 05:04 PM

I'll agree with AzTheta. Those without sin cast the first stone. Working with collegiate members can be very challenging. The struggles you describe a DG are happening across the country in colleges of all academic standings. Blaming the parents is a bit much, IMHO. Step back from the keyboard and don't add more insult to the injury with your words.

Titchou · #5 12-28-2012, 06:15 PM

Thanks, GC friends! OP, I'm truly sorry you've forgotten one of our most sacred oaths...and sorry that I share an anchor with you.

thetalady · #6 12-28-2012, 08:43 PM

Not to worry, Titchou... I am betting that this is absolutely not a DG alum. NO real alumnae would come here and post this kind of crap about her own organization. This smells of troll to me.

Titchou · #7 12-28-2012, 09:21 PM

Lordy, I hope you are right, thetalady!

AZTheta · #8 12-28-2012, 09:53 PM

I'm with my Theta sister and AOII Panhell sister on this ugly mess of a poster who came here to post nasty: whoever posted it, I say again: Shame On You. If you think your post was gonna result in a pile-on on DG you are wrong. And stupid.

Quite the opposite.

And I'd also like to ask whose sock you might be? But I'm going to take the high road and let that one go. Because I'm nice like that.

But I'm still pissed.

Gusteau · #9 12-28-2012, 11:14 PM

Evn though I know she's far too much of a lady for it, I would pay money to see AzTheta punch one of these loonies. That mental image is pure gold!

AOII Angel · #10 12-28-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gusteau

Evn though I know she's far too much of a lady for it, I would pay money to see AzTheta punch one of these loonies. That mental image is pure gold!

No need. She'd just slay them with a look.

33girl · #11 12-29-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

When I was at Lehigh - admittedly a long time ago - DG was a great chapter. Yes, we partied, yes the rules about alcohol were less strict - but we were not as trashy and irresponsible as these girls have been.

"It's amazing how long this country has been going to hell without getting there." - Andy Rooney

Trust me, sweetie, I'm sure that when you were in school there were alumnae of your chapter aghast that you were drinking beer out of bottles, wearing miniskirts, and doing that infamous chant to Mony Mony. Not to mention THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T TAKE PICTURES OF.

Anyone who kids themselves that they didn't do it because there aren't pics is delusional.

LehighDGAlum · #12 01-03-2013, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Before you throw shade on Delta Gamma, please explain how you've been involved as an alumna.

No, don't. I already know the answer.

I'll say it: Shame on you for coming here and writing what you wrote. I'm pissed. Just go away. NOW. And take your pearls with you so you can clutch them tighter.

OP here - I'm sorry if my post was offensive to you and the others, but honestly I am just very frustrated and I was trying to get some insight into what has happened to my sorority.

I haven't been back to the house since I went up to visit for a scheduled brunch a few years ago. It was a disaster. I'll skip the details, but suffice to say, it was a foreshadowing of what was to come in terms of the problems that the house has run into.

About 35 of us are emailing/FBing back and forth now trying to figure out if the situation is salvageable.

If any of you believe me now, can you tell me if you've run into problems with your old houses, and if so, if you were able to turn things around when it had gone so far that you got the 60 day letter from Nationals.

And no, as I said, it's been a couple of decades since school, so I do not remember all my oaths, but I certainly don't think I'm violating anything. Many of the sorority's problems are documented online anyway. I'm trying to see if we can turn this around or if it's too late.

And as for the comment about parents, no, I don't think it's ridiculous at all, but then again, I'm old enough to have a college-aged daughter.

So NOW do you take me seriously, and does anyone want to respond? Thanks in advance.

AOII Angel · #13 01-03-2013, 12:37 AM

That's not really what you posted at first. Asking for help was far from what your first post was about. I'll take a shot, though. What do you mean by 60 day letter? If you mean they are giving the chapter 60 days to shape up before closing them down, then yes, chapters have turned things around IF they take it seriously. If you mean a 60 day letter informing you the chapter will be closed, you are probably out of luck. Once the bigwigs have made those decisions, they've usually turned over every stone looking for other alternatives and made every effort to fix the problems in the chapter. Have you spoken with the Chapter Adviser? She may be able to answer more of your questions. You just need to be careful about posting on an open bulletin board. We try to keep things positive around her and keep dirt to a minimum. It never goes away once you post it on the Internet. Sorry about your chapter.

AZTheta · #14 01-03-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

OP here - I'm sorry if my post was offensive to you and the others, but honestly I am just very frustrated and I was trying to get some insight into what has happened to my sorority.

I haven't been back to the house since I went up to visit for a scheduled brunch a few years ago. It was a disaster. I'll skip the details, but suffice to say, it was a foreshadowing of what was to come in terms of the problems that the house has run into.

You came to GreekChat and your very first post, instead of being an introduction, is a slam against the Lehigh Delta Gamma chapter. Not an auspicious beginning.

As for the bolded: well - there's your trouble. You haven't been involved. That's "what happened to my sorority." What did you DO after the "disaster" a few years ago? Or did you just walk away and forget about it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

About 35 of us are emailing/FBing back and forth now trying to figure out if the situation is salvageable.

What's your plan? Start with a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and go from there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

If any of you believe me now, can you tell me if you've run into problems with your old houses, and if so, if you were able to turn things around when it had gone so far that you got the 60 day letter from Nationals.

No one here is going to publicly talk about problems (do a search on GC and see what comes up). That's something that's handled internally by alumnae and advisors who are actively involved with chapters. I do not know what Delta Gamma's leadership has determined with respect to this chapter, but I can say with certainty that if the decision was made to "pull the charter" and close the chapter, that decision was not made lightly. If not, and the chapter is on a suspension, then there is plenty to be done. Ask the current advisory board how you can help, and do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LehighDGAlum

And no, as I said, it's been a couple of decades since school, so I do not remember all my oaths, but I certainly don't think I'm violating anything. Many of the sorority's problems are documented online anyway. I'm trying to see if we can turn this around or if it's too late.

And as for the comment about parents, no, I don't think it's ridiculous at all, but then again, I'm old enough to have a college-aged daughter.

So NOW do you take me seriously, and does anyone want to respond? Thanks in advance.

I do not know anything about Delta Gamma and will leave that to the DGs on these boards. You yourself acknowledge that the chapter's problems have been "years in the making". They usually are - and are often a direct result of lack of alumnae and advisor support. That's typically how a chapter goes rogue.

My sincere hope is that you will become involved on some level with Delta Gamma and give back to the organization which you joined for a lifetime. A great place to start: attend an initiation. And in time, may Lehigh's chapter return to campus and be a strong chapter, the one that you described when you attended.

LehighDGAlum · #15 01-03-2013, 01:44 AM

Hi AOII Angel - you're right, I didn't post a request for help at first - when I posted I had just learned and really, I was stunned. I was trying to just figure out what had happened to sorority life. When I saw the responses to my post, I realized I had better explain things. Now that my pledge class and some of the girls a few years ahead of us and behind us have reconnected, we're trying to figure out what/if anything we can do.

The letter is "a 60 day notice of intent to consider the matter of suspending the chapter's charter." More deets here: http://lehighgreeks.blogspot.com/201...lta-gamma.html

This letter makes it sound like a done deal, but we've gotten some other info - which I won't post here, to your point - that makes us hopeful there may be a glimmer of light.