Your thoughts on AI: discussion goes here.

[UGAalum94]

I feel like I'm in a conversation that I'm tired of having, and yet I feel obligated to response to posts that address my ideas. If you want me to post to answer a question (I mean I'm not running away mad or scared), please PM and let me know, because in my case with this issue, silence doesn't mean approval (or that I am unwilling to respond); it just means I'm worn out and bored at the same time. I want to quit watching this thread, please don't think me rude.

I think having open communication is more valuable that trying to control discussion of AI. I think I'm on the record with that.

Good luck!

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I think having open communication is more valuable that trying to control discussion of AI. I think I'm on the record with that.

But the real question is, where is the value in having open discussion of a process that is not defined by publicly stated rules and is intended to be something the GLO offers- not that the PNAI asks for?

Those who are offered AI, which is how this is typically done, will not need the guidance of strangers on the internet because they will have a close connection with the GLO into which they will be initiated.

Those who are shopping for letters are already going about AI the wrong way and are not only very likely to fail- but will humiliate themselves in the process. How does broadcasting this doomed adventure on a website help that person? How does it help the GLO? How does it help the reputation of the website where it is allowed to take place?

I see your point about freedom of speech being a great thing, but there is a reason most good internet forums that attract lots of members are moderated.

I will admit reading the AI board is very entertaining- and I have read way back into the older posts as time allows, but I have yet to read a story that had a happy ending purely because of the presence of GC. By that I mean a story of someone who came into this with ZERO connection to a sorority and then got initiated 100% as the result of help obtained here.

Instead this gets to be the place where people get the reality check they have coming anyway- and those who give that reality check find out that no good deed goes unpunished.

Granted it is also a place for wonderful new initiates to share their stories or have other respectful and on topic conversations- but it is sometimes hard to see that for all the other stuff.

[FuzzieAlum]

Hmmm ...

I agree with most folks here that the AI forum is not a very good idea. But I can't bring myself to agree with the idea that all membership selection information is ritual. I can go to practically any NPC national site and see that to join as a collegiate someone must be a) female and b) a full-time student c) with a certain GPA. Now how Alpha Xi Delta chooses who to invite to a pref party or who to give a bid to is private. But I have no problem telling you that there is a minimum GPA, and if any other sorority doesn't want people to know they have a minimum GPA too, they're not doing a very good job of keeping it secret.

I guess what I'm trying to say is there are enough good reasons not to have an AI forum that we don't have to stretch for them.

The way I see it, what benefit does the AI forum provide? As far as I can tell, it is mostly of aid to sorority shoppers. I don't think this a good enough benefit-cost ratio for a site that supports Greek life. To the extent that NPC sororities (or for that matter any other GLOs) want to make alumnae initiation public, they have other ways to do it, and for the most part they don't choose to publicize it widely. As Greeks, it behooves us to respect what our own and other organizations choose to make public - there is a degree of information between "secret" and "totally public." NPHC groups express this so well when they talk about "discretion." That's what the AI board seems to have lost.

[PenguinTrax]

Discretion is something that has definitely gone by the wayside. I'm perfectly happy to have a PNAM recall their 'recuitment' story once the have been officially invited to join a group. I agree that using GC to pursue AI is not proper. If a person comes to GC inquiring about AI, and they know nothing about the process, they should be directed to the national office of the group they desire to join and the subject should be closed. At least, that's how I'd like to see it.

If that's not possible, then the only other option may be closing down the forum altogether. No matter what level of moderation is given to the forum, it is never the *right* amount at the *right* time. Moderating this forum could be a full-time job, and I know that I already have one of those, two if you count my family. Carnation is in the same boat, even more so, lol.

Unfortunately there isn't a perfect solution - someone is always going to be unhappy with the outcome.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

But the real question is, where is the value in having open discussion of a process that is not defined by publicly stated rules and is intended to be something the GLO offers- not that the PNAI asks for?

Those who are offered AI, which is how this is typically done, will not need the guidance of strangers on the internet because they will have a close connection with the GLO into which they will be initiated.

I agree with this, except that sometimes we aren't here for guidance, just support. People here understand that joining a sorority post-college can be a healthy, normal thing to do. (Notice I'm not saying common) I don't see a problem with "wishing you luck, hope you hear soon." Because unless you know something negative about User42439, you do wish that things turn out well for her.

Those who are shopping for letters are already going about AI the wrong way and are not only very likely to fail- but will humiliate themselves in the process. How does broadcasting this doomed adventure on a website help that person?

f they're shopping then GC does the chapters a service in some ways by allowing the person to point that out themselves. I know that AI is not Recruitment, but the same question could be asked about a failed PNM, particularly one who may not ever have had a good chance from the start. How does it help them? It might not. But it might be useful.

How does it help the GLO?

It may point out to the GLO that the system is working.

How does it help the reputation of the website where it is allowed to take place?

I don't think that we're out to promote the reputation of GC. But it would be seen as a place where people DO tell you that hey, you're not going to have a chance. Or hey, "First you said you were AI-ing, then you said you were rushing, and you can't really look 21, you're probably crazy"

I see your point about freedom of speech being a great thing, but there is a reason most good internet forums that attract lots of members are moderated.

True, but I don't think that removal of the AI forum/closure of all threads is quite the way to do so.

I will admit reading the AI board is very entertaining- and I have read way back into the older posts as time allows, but I have yet to read a story that had a happy ending purely because of the presence of GC. By that I mean a story of someone who came into this with ZERO connection to a sorority and then got initiated 100% as the result of help obtained here.

Instead this gets to be the place where people get the reality check they have coming anyway- and those who give that reality check find out that no good deed goes unpunished.

I don't see why it's a bad thing to give people reality checks. Let people discuss it. If they cause themselves to bust, it's their own fault. And if, for example, and woman is approached to AI and starts the process, comes to GC.. then what? "Hi I'm AIing into..." is about as far as she will get before a)the thread is closed or b) she's mobbed by attack dogs and made to feel unwelcome. As much as people say they love their AI sisters (and I'm sure they do) a new AI on this forum might feel VERY uncomfortable about stating how she joined (or will soon be joining) XYZ

Granted it is also a place for wonderful new initiates to share their stories or have other respectful and on topic conversations- but it is sometimes hard to see that for all the other stuff.

I think this is the most important part as well. But it is not as if a potential AI is sworn to secrecy either. If they can talk about the process they're going through (aka are not told that it is private) then they should. GC is group therapy for a lot of people. It's a way to relieve the stress of waiting.

I hope this makes sense. I guess I'm calling for moderation, not removal. And for what it's worth, the D9 intakes alums as regular members, this is very different from the AI process it seems to me.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

I will admit reading the AI board is very entertaining- and I have read way back into the older posts as time allows, but I have yet to read a story that had a happy ending purely because of the presence of GC. By that I mean a story of someone who came into this with ZERO connection to a sorority and then got initiated 100% as the result of help obtained here.

Actually.. there are a few.. I know of two. There are probably more that I don't know of.

I definately support the AI subforum, because without it, I'm sure I would still be in limbo land today. Because AI is so rare in my GLO, things fell through the cracks inadvertantly by some people who were trying to get my paperwork through. Had it not been for four people here on this forum who helped me, one in particular who was able to find out where things hit a snag and get things moving for me again, I know I would not have been initiated today. I was nearly at three years waiting.. until some kind souls on this forum went out of their way to help me.

It was also wonderful being able to get moral support while I waited for "the big day." It had been such a long emotional roller coaster.. and I was emotionally drained from the ups and downs. It was nice to have someone to talk to who had been through it.

And before someone screams, "your experience isn't typical".. no it isn't. I don't believe there IS such a thing as "typical." Everyone's story is different.

Do I believe people should get rec's from people on the forum? Absolutely not. I said it before, and I'll say it again.. I don't believe in writing recs for PNAIs or PNMs without knowing them in person... or it defeats the purpose of a rec.

But, do I believe this should be a place where PNAIs can get moral support and ask general questions? Absolutely.

Do I believe that this should be a place where women with former connections can network? Absolutely.

Remember the positives of this forum: The PNAIs on this forum are constantly warned about discretion, and about how difficult and rare it is to become an AI.

That is a good thing because if someone with no prior connections wants to give it a shot.. they'll know ahead of time they will have to "proceed at their own risk" and that the chances of AI success are small.

[texas*princess]

adpiucf - you are awesome!