Graduate Student and AI

[ScarletRed]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I think one of the things I don't think I will ever understand is that some people can't get past the whole sorority thing.

I am pretty sure that if I hadn't found my home while I was in school, my life would have moved on, and I wouldn't worry 10 years later about finding that sorority that I didn't join when I was in college.

I probably won't be doing the grad school thing for awhile, but if I was in grad school, I'd have more important things to worry about (ummm grad school... work, and the rest of my life) than to think 'gosh darnit! i need to find a sorority home because I didn't find one that fit in college!!'

Sorry for the rant, but I really just don't get it.

I don't believe that women that pursue AI are "obsessed" with trying to complete an unfulfilled college dream or "obsessed" with joining a sorority, just because they are going AI, or don't have anything better to do with their adult life because they want to join.

Sororities are different than the vast majority of organizations for women. Sororities are for life. I can't think of any other organizations for women that work quite like sororities do, thus can 100% understand the appeal.

I see the Eastern Star mentioned from time to time, and I am a legacy of that organization with a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that were Masons and a grandmother that was an ES member. However, if you checked around at the locals, unless you are 65 years old, you'll be way out of your age group if you join.

I see alot of those that don't particularly care for AI's on the GC message board, but I look at it like this: If you don't like the AI process, then you should wage a campaign with your national to get the process banned.

The collegiate chapters run their show the way they see fit, and therefore, the alumnae chapters do as well. If they don't want to accept an AI member, they don't have to. If they choose that option, you can bet there is a reason why.

There is more of a chance of a collegiate "weirdo" member joining as a Freshman after a single week of recruitment activities than there is an AI who usually takes 6 months to a year and many meetings to complete the process.

If I am going to be a member of my sorority, then I am going to support ALL of my other sisters, not just the ones that I pick and choose and single out because of the way they joined.

If someone cannot embrace that, then they should not be a member of a sorority at all.

[SigKapSweetie]

There is more of a chance of a collegiate "weirdo" member joining as a Freshman after a single week of recruitment activities than there is an AI who usually takes 6 months to a year and many meetings to complete the process.

You may be on to something there.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by ScarletRed

I .

I see the Eastern Star mentioned from time to time, and I am a legacy of that organization with a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that were Masons and a grandmother that was an ES member. However, if you checked around at the locals, unless you are 65 years old, you'll be way out of your age group if you join.

Even Junior League can be "older." While provisionals are nowhere near 65, many are already in their 30s and have had a few years of work/real life experience.

[blueangel]

You're right TauAlumna, it really depends on the Junior League. My provisional class had women as young as their early 20's to one woman in her early 60's. Most however, seemed to be in their mid to late 30's. Some Junior Leagues (such as the one in my area) have done away with sponsorships and age limits. If you're female and you're breathing in and out... you can join.

And back on subject, I want to clear something up. I've noticed that there seems to be a disturbing tactic on this board of "saying something untrue often enough, and it is believed." Specifically, I'm referring to the untrue allegation that I believe everyone should be an AI and that everyone is worthy of being an AI. I never said that and I challenge those who are spreading this untruth around to quote a post in which I said that.

I do, however, believe anyone who wishes to try, to be allowed to ask questions and pursue their dreams without harrassment on this forum.

I want to make it clear that I believe not everyone is a good fit for a sorority.. but it isn't up to you nor I to make that judgement.. it is up to the individual Alumnae Chapters and International HQs.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by blueangel

I do, however, believe anyone who wishes to try, to be allowed to ask questions and pursue their dreams without harrassment on this forum.

Not encouraging people to AI is not harassment. There's a difference. Stop crying to the mods everytime something is posted that doesn't agree to your opinion.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

Not encouraging people to AI is not harassment. There's a difference. Stop crying to the mods everytime something is posted that doesn't agree to your opinion.

Do you not know the difference between making fun of particular PNAMs and "not encouraging" them? Anyone who is interested in AI should be able to post their questions and their stories without fear of harrassment.

I suppose I will have to spell it out for you in detail. That means PNAMs should be able to post without fear of nasty remarks, without fear of parody threads mocking their hobbies, and without fear of ill spirited signatures which link to their photos on the web.

It's very simple, Tippiechick. If you break the TOS, I will report you. If you disagree with my opinion, but do not break the TOS, I will not report you.

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Do you not know the difference between making fun of particular PNAMs and "not encouraging" them? Anyone who is interested in AI should be able to post their questions and their stories without fear of harrassment.

I suppose I will have to spell it out for you in detail. That means PNAMs should be able to post without fear of nasty remarks, without fear of parody threads mocking their hobbies, and without fear of ill spirited signatures which link to their photos on the web.

It's very simple, Tippiechick. If you break the TOS, I will report you. If you disagree with my opinion, but do not break the TOS, I will not report you.

Do you have the TOS memorized word for word? Do you make little flashcards and study them before you go to bed at night? I have never met someone more obsessed with following the rules than you.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by ariesrising

So there's no way for me to tell if the complaint was actually legitimate?

Unless it was your post, why would you be concerned?

[Jen]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Unless it was your post, why would you be concerned?

From all the talk in the thread I was under the impression it was a big issue that should concern everyone. Not to mention it is an issue of free speech, which concerns me and everyone who posts on GC. One person's "hateful" is another person's legitimate opinion, and as a poster here, it's useful to see these controversial statements so we can judge for ourselves.

[PenguinTrax]

Originally Posted by ariesrising

So there's no way for me to tell if the complaint was actually legitimate?

If a moderator deleted the post, then it was deemed legitmate. For the record, I don't delete every reported post, sometimes I edit them or request the original poster to do so.

I recommend everyone take a break and review the TOS for the Recruitment Forums:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/announcement.php?f=27

[PenguinTrax]

It is up to the moderators to determine what violates a TOS violation. It is a waste of everyone's time to argue over who is more in violation than someone else. From where I sit, all of you need to find something better to do with your time, like keeping the discussion on topic.

[ScarletRed]

Exactly Taualumna.

We have the "Civic League" where I am from instead of Junior League. 100% of them are married. 100% of them are from extremely wealthy households.

They sponsor a huge Miss America preliminary pagaent every year and people turn out to that thing dressed like it's a Hollywood movie premier. They also limit their membership to 30 women so the only way a new member gets in is if someone moves, dies, or files for bankruptcy. Ok, I'm joking, but you get the point.

There are so many incredibly talented women that are looking for an organization to lend their talents to. If someone is willing to take the time to wait 6 months, a year, maybe even 2, to AI a sorority, then it would be a horrible waste of time to be anything but a fully participating member, and a disservice to the sorority who took the time, the effort, and the resources to sponsor them and bring them in.

I don't really think that there is a "flood" of AI requests to National GLO's, and it should remain something selective and special. I could be wrong, I sure don't work for National. I may look at it differently if I did.

There are just a ton of women that went to schools where there were no sororities, etc. What would be the harm and damage in bringing these women into an organization where they want to contribute to it?

I see none.

Originally Posted by Taualumna

Even Junior League can be "older." While provisionals are nowhere near 65, many are already in their 30s and have had a few years of work/real life experience.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by ScarletRed

There are just a ton of women that went to schools where there were no sororities, etc. What would be the harm and damage in bringing these women into an organization where they want to contribute to it?

I see none.

I do see a problem with bringing in a "ton" of these women. Part of the bond shared by sorority sisters comes from common collegiate experiences. If we water that down to where a "ton" of alumnae do not have that experience, much of that common bond would be lost.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I do see a problem with bringing in a "ton" of these women. Part of the bond shared by sorority sisters comes from common collegiate experiences. If we water that down to where a "ton" of alumnae do not have that experience, much of that common bond would be lost.

As an AI, I actually agree with that. I don't have a common collegiate bond with the women in my alumnae chapter, and I never will have that.

And it is nearly impossible to achieve the same type of bond outside the collegiate experience. While I love the time I spend with my alum chapter, it is never going to be the same for me connection-wise as it is for my non-AI sisters.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I do see a problem with bringing in a "ton" of these women. Part of the bond shared by sorority sisters comes from common collegiate experiences. If we water that down to where a "ton" of alumnae do not have that experience, much of that common bond would be lost.

But different chapters have different collegiate experiences anyway.