Theta Chi at Duke Going Local

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Heather17

Why do people think they get no value from being national?

Because they don't like the ruuules.

[LPIDelta]

Well...connecting with other chapters is not always going to happen--there are different types of people in different chapters. What should tie chapters together are common history, common values, ritual.

It's unfortunate that some collegians do not see value in having nationally proven programming readily available, trained advisors, alumni support, lifetime opportunities for involvement, insurance, national name recognition, the respect that comes from many campus administrators for national organizations, badges and symbols networking opportunities, long history to inspiration draw from, time tested values, leadership training, connections to strong national philanthropies etc. The list goes on and on.

I would surmise that if members are questioning the value, there is probably something much more significant going on, in terms of how the chapter members are being educated about the org.

Not that I think being national is the only way to go--I understand there is a place for local organizations. I guess this situation seems to scream "We don't like rules" that I don't like that as a reason to abandon national affiliation. There are rules in life....get over it.

[amanda6035]

yippee! Lets go local so we can haze!

[SigmaPezY60]

Coming from a local sorority I can say a few things.

Not ALL locals exist because we don't like rules. We've got plenty of rules of our own. We just didn't like the kinds of rules and wanted to make our own. Most that exist were founded because they wanted to fullfill a need that had yet to be met on their campus by existing groups.

Also we don't exist so that we can get away with hazing. My sorority does not haze. Before making that assumption joking or not, you may want to take a look at the Risk Management Section of Greek Chat where you will find stories of many national organizations that have been caught hazing.

In my opinion the best benefits to being part of a national organization is the connection you have with other women/men accross the country because of the traditions of your organization. You may not like the image of another chapter, but you do share the same letters and traditions.

Also insurance. That's why national dues are so high. And insurance is a very big deal.

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by SigmaPezY60

Coming from a local sorority I can say a few things.

Not ALL locals exist because we don't like rules. We've got plenty of rules of our own. We just didn't like the kinds of rules and wanted to make our own. Most that exist were founded because they wanted to fullfill a need that had yet to be met on their campus by existing groups.

Also we don't exist so that we can get away with hazing. My sorority does not haze. Before making that assumption joking or not, you may want to take a look at the Risk Management Section of Greek Chat where you will find stories of many national organizations that have been caught hazing.

In my opinion the best benefits to being part of a national organization is the connection you have with other women/men accross the country because of the traditions of your organization. You may not like the image of another chapter, but you do share the same letters and traditions.

Also insurance. That's why national dues are so high. And insurance is a very big deal.

Thank you .

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by SigmaPezY60

In my opinion the best benefits to being part of a national organization is the connection you have with other women/men accross the country because of the traditions of your organization. You may not like the image of another chapter, but you do share the same letters and traditions.

And that's probably another big reason for disaffiliating from their (inter)national organization. There are some members who believe members in other chapters are douches so why be affiliated with them? The letters and traditions don't matter, it's the brotherhood you gained in the chapter, not the organization overall, that matters.
----
I'm assuming by Big XII Elephant Walk meant Texas and possibly OU. None of the other schools in the conference "matter" as far as GLOs are concerned.

[Elephant Walk]

Correct, Big - 12 Texas, Oklahoma is pretty iffy as far as anything goes. Oklahoma greeks always get that north Dallas Trash.

[g41965]

First Greek life was stronger back in the late 1980's when I attended college and law school. Duke is now at 37% with the women in the low 40's men in the low 30%. In the late 1980's it was higher. I can admit when I'm wrong, however I believe my point stands, in the 1950's Dartmouth was 80% greek now its 50%, Amherst was 80% Greek now it's 10%. This happened after chapters went local. My point is this, when Greek Letter Fraternities go local at elite colleges is a decline in the system going to follow? Empircally the evidence seems to say yes. However are their alternate factors of causation such as changes in the student body etc. I don't know I think the "local" phenomana at elite schools is interesting. Note UVA has also had a trend some national fraternities go local.
On Tom's point about smaller schools my guess is William Jewell is a good school but has not hit that elitist stage that seems to drive Greeks at the the most selective colleges.

[ColumbiaPike]

Originally Posted by Heather17

Well...connecting with other chapters is not always going to happen--there are different types of people in different chapters. What should tie chapters together are common history, common values, ritual.

It's unfortunate that some collegians do not see value in having nationally proven programming readily available, trained advisors, alumni support, lifetime opportunities for involvement, insurance, national name recognition, the respect that comes from many campus administrators for national organizations, badges and symbols networking opportunities, long history to inspiration draw from, time tested values, leadership training, connections to strong national philanthropies etc. The list goes on and on.

I would surmise that if members are questioning the value, there is probably something much more significant going on, in terms of how the chapter members are being educated about the org.

Not that I think being national is the only way to go--I understand there is a place for local organizations. I guess this situation seems to scream "We don't like rules" that I don't like that as a reason to abandon national affiliation. There are rules in life....get over it.

Many (indeed most) of those things listed we already derive from the university itself. I happen to like having a national organization even if I don't like all of the rules and obligations.