UCF Sig Ep suspended

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by XiLove_Epsilon

If you are not willing to take a true look at what we could do to HELP instead of KILL a chapter, then I suggest that YOU take a look at what you pledged and your oath and consider why you exist in the greek community.

You haven't been a member of your sorority long enough to observe this, but actually every one of the national organizations have ongoing meetings with individual chapters (IE: Traveling consultants, district workshops, advisers, etc.) to maintain good chapter health, and provide support to chapters (international directors, workshops, probationary terms to meet and paperwork to file) who have fallen off track in order to help lift them back up. Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, the chapter has been permanently derailed and cannot be helped. It is best for all those concerned, from the collegiate members of that chapter the parent organization and the university, for it to close. These ongoing touches also help ensure that members are safe, which means sometimes modifying traditions. A chapter is never arbitrarily closed. It is the result of when consistent activity and many, many opportunities and hands to help it back up have failed.

By all means, chapter business should remain chapter business. But one person's actions can and have brought down chapters before and will continue to do so. The consequences of your actions, good or bad, are felt by every member of your organization. This is the byproduct of becoming part of the organization and wearing the letters of which we are so very proud. One bad action can bring down everyone, which is why there are measures in place to protect these organizations from members who would otherwise seek to cling to "tradition." And as has been stated, if we are to survive as a Greek community we need to keep up with the times. Something that was tradition 10, 20 even 30 or as early as 5 years ago may now be an illegal act TODAY. And we must focus on today.

I know of no ritual which prevents members from keeping themselves clean... I wonder if perhaps you have been misled. The bottom line is that many of our organizations have existed for well over 100 years. We remain alive because we keep current with what is happening in the world. We are run by a dedicated and extensive team of alumni who in their real lives are working professionals and committed volunteers-- lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants, consultants, you name it. They have seen the big picture and the big picture is that we will give the collegiate chapters the resources they need to succeed. But when the chapter continually snubs its nose at that help and acts like a spoiled child who disregards the rules, that chapter is a liability to the health of the rest of the chapters and it will not last very long. I am sure that if a chapter of your sorority on another campus acted in a manner that would threaten to close ALL chapters of your sorority, you would see it otherwise. This is a reality.

It isn't the media's fault that Greeks have a negative reputation. It is the insular ideas that an illegal act is just a harmless prank.

I encourage you to get involved with your sorority's leadership to see the big picture. Right now, you are looking through the perspective of a new member. There is a lot of good you can accomplish.

[Drolefille]

^ Word.

[XiLove_Epsilon]

Your reply (adpiucf) I actually appreciate...I'm not a new member, I'm actually Ritual Chair and Song Leader of my chapter...we just don't have this stuff around here and what we do have isn't anything to ever be alarmed about. To all of you, it may seem like we're disregaurding nationals on our campus, but when when you are as small of a campus as we are we just don't have these problems in such a high amount, therefore it is extrememly difficult for me to see the benefit of destroying chapters. I know that you said that some of their nationals comes in and tries to help, but that rarely happens here. You either make it or you don't. There is a large difference in small universities and large ones...I've been to both, I've seen it. I think we have it better here. I just wish more people could appreciate instead of demeaning other chapters. It is not our job to bad mouth them all. It seems ridiculous that we would call ourselves greek...family...and do this to each other.

[adpiucf]

I think what you are taking offense to then, is our discussion of these events online? I can appreciate your concern. Take it with a grain of salt-- by discussing these events with other Greeks from all across North America, we can better alert one another to know what is happening with our fellow brothers and sisters. And we can take measures to not allow the same things to occur in our own communities, as can be the case when traditions outlive their usefulness and safety. We aren't exposing any chapter secrets or incidents that are not already a matter of public record.

I applaud your efforts to maintain discretion, and that is certainly something that you should do if there is a chapter incident. In this case, our discussion has come from public attention. It is a matter of public record if an organization has been suspended, and the circumstances surrounding it. All nationals receive national publications from their HQ, as well as IFC/NPC dealing with new laws, proposed legislation and legal outcomes regarding hazing, housing, individual health and wellness, leadership development and more. Exec board usually receives these and is more in the loop on the big picture outside of the university. This is in addition to the general media at large.

I'm also sure that each of your nationals on campus has a traveling consultant pop in once a year as standard practice. They assess the chapter, interview the officers and members, observe and make recommendations. Sometimes they see what they are allowed to see; other times they can really make a difference. That is why it is so important to have alumni/ae advisers and to attend trainings in your district/region with other chapters and alumnae. These opportunties exist for all nationals.

I think it is great you have taken on a few roles within your chapter and that you are passionate about your chapter. Ritual and Song Chairs can do a lot to boost chapter morale and a sense of history and responsibility. I definitely encourage you to seek out an executive board position when the time comes. You will learn so much in a year from the experience and give so much back, as well.

[XiLove_Epsilon]

I really do understand that these are already in the media and that these issues are useful to other chapters, but it just seems like a lot of this is just over exposed...discussing what happens in these chapters isn't really our business, and this doesn't even seem like discussion. It's just trash talk from a lot of people who want to send out an opinion just to say something. I mean, if we have to actually alert other chapters that we could get in trouble for forcing a group of students to drink large amounts of alcohol then we're just kinda dumb, aren't we? Aren't these things that we already know? Isn't this why we already go to alcohol training? We're not discussing things here, or alerting anyone...we're just talking trash about other chapters who have had problems. That just destroys any sense of loyaty we have. I mean, I realy do think that there are somethings that are traditions that should just leave well enough alone because without traditions and rituals you die...not every chapter takes it to the extreme and we need to realize that. I just can't stand so many people badmouthing their brothers and sisters...especially one's the don't know. And really, hazing isn't even as bad as what people make it out to be. There are extreme cases and they happen, but if people were to take a look at the number of greek chapters across the world and compare it to the number of severe hazing incidents it really wouldn't be that high from what I've seen. I just think that people take a lot of this too far...and it gives us more death and grief then if we would have just supported our brothers and sisters. That is what we are here for is family...and wouldn't you stand behind family no matter what? I would. I understand your position, but please try to understand mine.

[Drolefille]

If they KNEW that, there wouldn't be deaths due to forcing people to drink large amounts of alcohol now would we?

There is ZERO excuse for pledges dying. NONE. You don't get a pass on getting talked about just because you're in a GLO (or my GLO).

No one here thinks that every Greek is bad. But WTH are we supposed to do? Pat XYZ on the back when a pledge dies and say "eh, you meant well" ????

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

You haven't been a member of your sorority long enough to observe this, but actually every one of the national organizations have ongoing meetings with individual chapters (IE: Traveling consultants, district workshops, advisers, etc.) to maintain good chapter health, and provide support to chapters (international directors, workshops, probationary terms to meet and paperwork to file) who have fallen off track in order to help lift them back up. Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, the chapter has been permanently derailed and cannot be helped. It is best for all those concerned, from the collegiate members of that chapter the parent organization and the university, for it to close. These ongoing touches also help ensure that members are safe, which means sometimes modifying traditions. A chapter is never arbitrarily closed. It is the result of when consistent activity and many, many opportunities and hands to help it back up have failed.

By all means, chapter business should remain chapter business. But one person's actions can and have brought down chapters before and will continue to do so. The consequences of your actions, good or bad, are felt by every member of your organization. This is the byproduct of becoming part of the organization and wearing the letters of which we are so very proud. One bad action can bring down everyone, which is why there are measures in place to protect these organizations from members who would otherwise seek to cling to "tradition." And as has been stated, if we are to survive as a Greek community we need to keep up with the times. Something that was tradition 10, 20 even 30 or as early as 5 years ago may now be an illegal act TODAY. And we must focus on today.

I know of no ritual which prevents members from keeping themselves clean... I wonder if perhaps you have been misled. The bottom line is that many of our organizations have existed for well over 100 years. We remain alive because we keep current with what is happening in the world. We are run by a dedicated and extensive team of alumni who in their real lives are working professionals and committed volunteers-- lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants, consultants, you name it. They have seen the big picture and the big picture is that we will give the collegiate chapters the resources they need to succeed. But when the chapter continually snubs its nose at that help and acts like a spoiled child who disregards the rules, that chapter is a liability to the health of the rest of the chapters and it will not last very long. I am sure that if a chapter of your sorority on another campus acted in a manner that would threaten to close ALL chapters of your sorority, you would see it otherwise. This is a reality.

It isn't the media's fault that Greeks have a negative reputation. It is the insular ideas that an illegal act is just a harmless prank.

I encourage you to get involved with your sorority's leadership to see the big picture. Right now, you are looking through the perspective of a new member. There is a lot of good you can accomplish.

Very good posting.

[alphagamgirlie]

Something dealing with Greek Row... the new movie Amanda Bynes movie Sydney White is going to be filming some scenes at UCF/Rollins/Winter Park/Downtown Orlando, among them is at the old UCF Pike house...They sort of made it look nice like a room is all pinkish stuff now (of course I think we all know how Pike's house is unlivable unless a LOT of $$$$$$ is put in to fix it).
Can't tell ya'll anything else coz it's pretty much under wraps, so check out the movie when comes out in 2008 =)

[fifi225]

I was on campus last night and saw both houses all lit up with tons of people! It was kinda strange. My little told me about the movie. Sounds interesting.

[TPASIGEP]

I just read in The Journal (our National magazine) that a sorority is moving into our UCF chapter house. Anyone know who?

[TrueBlueKappa]

According to the last email I received, UCF is exercising their rights to purchase both the Sig Ep and SAE houses, so no one will be moving in any time soon.

[FSUZeta]

what a shame. i was hoping one of the unhoused sororities would get a chance to have a house.