Your thoughts on AI: discussion goes here.

[UGAalum94]

SigmaDiva,

There's some question for me whether or not some information about AI is my group's public domain, so it's a little less clear than maybe you would think.

I don't mean to say that I think all of the process is public: I just think some questions could probably be addressed without giving away secret or "sisters only" information.

I also don't know that I accept the idea that because not all groups do things the same way, no group should give out info. Note, superficial rush comparison follows, but I'm not comparing AI to rush: people post rec. questions all the time. Do you need one? Is it good to have more than one? etc. When people answer these questions, I think it's always clear that they speak only for their organization, and often only for their chapter. Answers often stray awfully close to MS information as well.

Unless groups have clear policy statements, it seems to me that it ought to be up to the individual to decide to discuss anything that's not ritual or secret membership selection when it comes to AI. If it is in the best interest of the organization not to have this kind of stuff discussed, then they should publish a policy to group members, rather than leaving the issue somewhat ambiguous.

[ReachTheLimit]

I don't think a sorority's national would have to necessarily give GC validity in order to address what can and cannot be discussed online. Too may people here are assuming if it's not on the website, it's ritual, and that just isn't true, because there is so much that is discussed on Greek Chat every day that you won't find on their websites.

I still think if the sororities had such an issue with it, they would design a "code of online behavior" so-to-speak and examples of what topics are and are not to be discussed...I think college educated women would be able to figure that out and follow protocol.

But the nationals haven't taken that step and the internet has been around for a very long time. I also seriously doubt that the only folks in all of the sororities that are against AI or againt sthe discussion of even it's existance, are only on Greek Chat. Therefore, one could reason that the nationals have received complaints before, yet they don't address it or have a policy on it. I think that speaks volumes how concerned they are about the discussion of AI.

If someone on the message board thinks another sister is violating ritual or otherwise secret information on Greek Chat, then they should report her for doing so or address it with that sister directly, just like you would if you saw her post inappropriately on any other part of this website...you DON'T ATTACK the person asking the question.

That is just completely childish and it just reeks of distrust toward your OWN sorority and that the local AA's are of adult women of varying ages with careers, life experience, and the majority of them joined in college...I feel quite confident that they can make their own AI selections and not feel a half-dozen or so women on GC has to 'save them'.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I still think if the sororities had such an issue with it, they would design a "code of online behavior" so-to-speak and examples of what topics are and are not to be discussed...I think college educated women would be able to figure that out and follow protocol.

I think that most college-educated women can figure out how to behave without a "code of online behavior" from their sororities. Those who can't can be dealt with, but there's no reason to treat the others like children.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I think that most college-educated women can figure out how to behave without a "code of online behavior" from their sororities. Those who can't can be dealt with, but there's no reason to treat the others like children.

Plus, I think it would be a real burden for the national HQs to reinforce it.

[Drolefille]

However, with in the age of Facebook and Myspace, it might be a good thing. It's not necessarily enforceable, particularly for alums, but I could see the webmaster position encompassing Facebook monitoring for example. It's often done for recruitment anyway. More anonymous sites are different, but I don't think it would be wrong for HQs to establish codes of online behavior.

I would assume it wouldn't be patronizing. It could be something along the lines of, "when representing your sorority" don't act like a jackass. Hmm.. not sure if it would work or not, but it's something that should be thought over at the very least.

/I'd call it the wave of the future, but that's just silly

[PinkandGreenJ]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

It could be something along the lines of, "when representing your sorority" don't act like a jackass.

I don't know about you, but I am sure Drolefile agrees as well, aren't we always representing ourselves and our sorority?

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Plus, I think it would be a real burden for the national HQs to reinforce it.

It's not their job to make sure it's enforced, it's the job of the members to report sisters who are in violation. From what I have read on Greek Chat, I see alot of talk about sisters getting reported for this, that, and the other, so why would AI discussion be any different IF the sorority had a policy on it?

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

I think that most college-educated women can figure out how to behave without a "code of online behavior" from their sororities. Those who can't can be dealt with, but there's no reason to treat the others like children.

Oh, I'm not saying treat them like children. I'm just stating that if internet discussion of certain topics is a "hot button" for certain GLO's, then they should have a policy on it.

My entire point is that I feel that certain folks have greatly exaggerated how some GLO's feel about AI being discussed on the internet. Are they speaking for the GLO or just for themselves?

If it was that important, the sorority would have a policy.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

My entire point is that I feel that certain folks have greatly exaggerated how some GLO's feel about AI being discussed on the internet. Are they speaking for the GLO or just for themselves?

If it was that important, the sorority would have a policy.

And that's the problem. Not every member of a GLO will be current on the org's latest policy. So, when you have situations like GC where anyone can post anything it leads to confusion.

I mean look at me. I'm not even in a NPC org, but I'm here discussing NPC business. This would never happen on one of the D9 forums because the mod would come in and either delete the non-member's post, or close / delete the thread all together.

The worst part in all of this is not so much that people cannot agree, it is that members of the same org can not agree or understand the policy of their org.

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

And that's the problem. Not every member of a GLO will be current on the org's latest policy. So, when you have situations like GC where anyone can post anything it leads to confusion.

I mean look at me. I'm not even in a NPC org, but I'm here discussing NPC business. This would never happen on one of the D9 forums because the mod would come in and either delete the non-member's post, or close / delete the thread all together.

The worst part in all of this is not so much that people cannot agree, it is that members of the same org can not agree or understand the policy of their org.

I agree with you 100%, however, how does this differ from anything else you find on the internet? It doesn't. If someone wants 100% accurate information, then they need to contact the sorority at their national or find a member who knows.

If someone starts the AI process and doesn't do their homework and doesn't go about the process correctly, then that's just tough noogies. That is what you get for trying to get all of your info from a website.

I don't feel sorry for anyone that uses GC as their only source for sorority or fraternity information about AI or anything else regarding the organizations.

[adpiucf]

Simply put, sorority HQ's don't care about Greek Chat or these petty conversations. They're busy with real life collegiate programming and they're not going to police anonymous screen names with crimes against society for name calling or unsportsmanlike behavior against other anonymous screen names.

AI policies are unique to each sorority and are published for the members of those sororities. Anything read on GC isn't an official statement of sorority policy and the reason for the displeasure in the AI forum is that a new stereotype is being perpetuated: that AI is recruitment. We just don't want to waste the time of our organizations fielding requests from PNAI's when the true intent of AI (as of this moment in time) is for the sorority to make the initial approach. Having AI as recruitment is not a place that we are prepared to be at this time.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I agree with you 100%, however, how does this differ from anything else you find on the internet? It doesn't. If someone wants 100% accurate information, then they need to contact the sorority at their national or find a member who knows.

If someone starts the AI process and doesn't do their homework and doesn't go about the process correctly, then that's just tough noogies. That is what you get for trying to get all of your info from a website.

I don't feel sorry for anyone that uses GC as their only source for sorority or fraternity information about AI or anything else regarding the organizations.

But it does differ greatly for GLOs in that certain pieces of information are considered for members only - meaning if you are not a member then you do not need to know. The probelm with the internet is that you really don't know who you are talking to . That is why GLO members have to be especially careful discussing their org's business on the internet.

The problem comes when the information given is misleading or just wrong. It confuses people. No one wants their org to be associated with a state of confusion. It just implies that all is not right with the org, so why would anyone want to join it. There is a bigger picture to this issue that I don't think some people understand or see.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Sigmadive,

First, It's SigmaDiva.....

There's some question for me whether or not some information about AI is my group's public domain, so it's a little less clear than maybe you would think.

Then call your IHQ and ask. Attend meetings and conferences and ask. If you are unsure about the current policy of your sorority, then don't sit in the dark, ask someone who should know.

In my org, it is expected that every initiated member attend local meetings, regional meetings and national meetings to stay current on the changes and updates that go on in the org. It is your responsibility as an initiated member of AGD to stay current by inquiring about policy changes. It's when GLO members don't stay current that confusion happens.

I don't mean to say that I think all of the process is public: I just think some questions could probably be addressed without giving away secret or "sisters only" information.

But if you (the general you) don't know what should be or not be discussed online, then maybe you are giving away information that your IHQ does not want you to give out.

Granted, some questions may be able to be addressed online, but I think it is better to at least do it in that particular GLO's forum. Those members would know best on how to address the PNAI's concerns.

I also don't know that I accept the idea that because not all groups do things the same way, no group should give out info. Note, superficial rush comparison follows, but I'm not comparing AI to rush: people post rec. questions all the time. Do you need one? Is it good to have more than one? etc. When people answer these questions, I think it's always clear that they speak only for their organization, and often only for their chapter. Answers often stray awfully close to MS information as well.

I think you are missing the point that there is a difference between undergrad rush and AI process. Heck, I'm in a D9 and I see the difference. Many, many, many, many NPC members have stated over, and over and over again that while there is an agreement for conducting undergrad rush, the process is different on the AI level. I feel that you are not understanding that difference. The AI procedures for CD may be very different than XYZ. It makes no sense for someone who is a member of DEF to try to answer AI questions for either group.

Unless groups have clear policy statements, it seems to me that it ought to be up to the individual to decide to discuss anything that's not ritual or secret membership selection when it comes to AI. If it is in the best interest of the organization not to have this kind of stuff discussed, then they should publish a policy to group members, rather than leaving the issue somewhat ambiguous.

Then maybe at your next convention you can push for a policy for your org to clearly define what is public info and what is not. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

First, It's SigmaDiva.....



Then call your IHQ and ask. Attend meetings and conferences and ask. If you are unsure about the current policy of your sorority, then don't sit in the dark, ask someone who should know.

In my org, it is expected that every initiated member attend local meetings, regional meetings and national meetings to stay current on the changes and updates that go on in the org. It is your responsibility as an initiated member of AGD to stay current by inquiring about policy changes. It's when GLO members don't stay current that confusion happens.



But if you (the general you) don't know what should be or not be discussed online, then maybe you are giving away information that your IHQ does not want you to give out.

Granted, some questions may be able to be addressed online, but I think it is better to at least do it in that particular GLO's forum. Those members would know best on how to address the PNAI's concerns.



I think you are missing the point that there is a difference between undergrad rush and AI process. Heck, I'm in a D9 and I see the difference. Many, many, many, many NPC members have stated over, and over and over again that while there is an agreement for conducting undergrad rush, the process is different on the AI level. I feel that you are not understanding that difference. The AI procedures for CD may be very different than XYZ. It makes no sense for someone who is a member of DEF to try to answer AI questions for either group.




Then maybe at your next convention you can push for a policy for your org to clearly define what is public info and what is not. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

What really suprises me, is why do those on Greek Chat that are members of a sorority say over, and over again that formal recruitment and the AI process is different? I haven't seen anyone post that they are the same, not even close.

In college, you visit the houses of all the sororities, you are assigned a Rho Chi (or other recruitment counselor), you go pick up invitations, you go to parties, then finally you have pref night and a bid day, a pledge period, then initiation if you met all of your requirements for your pledge period. All in the course of a few days or few weeks, depending on how your college does it.

I fail to see how ANYONE could get confused when members for potential AI are generally not enrolled at a college at all, don't sign up for formal recruitment, there are no parties, there is no pref night, there is no bid day, and the process takes several months. I haven't seen anyone post anything stating otherwise.

In AI, a sorority is contacted by the PNAIM or an Alumnae member gets the process started for them. They go to a few events, the AA has a discussion and a decision is made and they generally get initiated with alot of strangers that they have never met before. Not women that they went through a pledge period with.

I have never thought it was the same thing, and haven't seen anyone else come even close to getting the two confused.

I just think it's odd that every other post seems to start with "AI and Formal recruitment are different"...that falls under the "DUH" catagory.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I have never thought it was the same thing, and haven't seen anyone else come even close to getting the two confused.

I just think it's odd that every other post seems to start with "AI and Formal recruitment are different"...that falls under the "DUH" catagory.

The reason that is being repeated over and over again is for some of the PNAIs who apparently don't understand that "sorority shopping" is frowned upon on the alumnae level. The automatic comeback is "well what about those girls at Penn State going to 20 rush parties? If that isn't shopping, what is?" That's when you bang your head on the wall and explain that it's apples and oranges.

We also know that every group at Penn State will be taking a pledge class this semester (unless there are some sort of bizarre unforseen extenuating circumstances). We DON'T know that every sorority will be taking AIs this semester, this year, or EVER.