NPHC Secretiveness, Insularity, Etc.

[Senusret I]

Child, some campuses do those things. On those campuses where the lack of information seems to be detrimental to the system, then talk to your greek affairs people -- seriously!

[ChildoftheHorn]

Yeah, on my campus there is a small thing that is done by a few of the councils individually - but not a collective....not a place where a student could explore all of their options.

There is not unity. There are quite a few people pushing for it, but IMO people have retained many of the prejudices against the Orgs. (this is a two way street).

As stupid as it seems....
-We follow the same guidelines
-Have similar structure (positions, philanthropy, tradition)
-Go to the same School (Go to class together)
-Have friends in each others' org.
-Belong to the same non-Greek groups

Why does it seem like such a strech for a lil' Greek unity too? - What council may be right for your friend, may not right for you.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

Yeah, on my campus there is a small thing that is done by a few of the councils individually - but not a collective....not a place where a student could explore all of their options.

There is not unity. There are quite a few people pushing for it, but IMO people have retained many of the prejudices against the Orgs. (this is a two way street).

As stupid as it seems....
-We follow the same guidelines
-Have similar structure (positions, philanthropy, tradition)
-Go to the same School (Go to class together)
-Have friends in each others' org.
-Belong to the same non-Greek groups

Why does it seem like such a strech for a lil' Greek unity too? - What council may be right for your friend, may not right for you.

Part of the issue is the inherent segregation placed on the campus. You met these "other greeks" in your classes and maybe an occassional view of a "yard show". Your greek life office failed to foster unity, probably because the ADULTS are not unified...

We cannot ask our young people to show unity when we, as a adults, aren't unified... During your parties at your house, have you invited any of the ethnic GLO's to assist you?

Moreover, there is a historical reason why many in the NPHC do not own houses near a large university...

At San Diego State University, I hooked up with 2-3 IFC's to inherently assist them in their classes. As a result, I started get my own Sorority undergraduate members assistance that I have never observed before. The kids came back to me and told all kinds of things.

Also, San Diego State University, was building a new greek row. They reorganized their greek life office and all GLO's started having the administration assistance in student affairs and perpetuating philathropy. I do not know how it now. But it I was involved in the early workings to see the changes taking place.

[ChildoftheHorn]

You know, the whole greek thing is funny on my campus.

Overall:
Fraternities are being rung out by the university.
Sororities could not be stronger!

BTW: Annual step show is SOLD OUT+ every year. You will see a lot of the MGC groups there, some people from the PNC, and very few IFC.

No one hates anyone else, there is just this distinct division. Granted, many of the orgs on campus have history going on 75 years + at that school for NPC and IFC. Houses make a big exporsure difference too, I think. Since all the greek houses are on campus, people see them very often. (Even I live in the Fraternity Quads - small dorm.) It is hard to break into that. Some of the Multi-cultural orgs. are extremely cliquish(w/hazing) and by doing so harm the others who are not. Since the NPC and IFC orgs are larger numbers per group, there is a more heavily enforced regulation.

Scenario: 30 XYZ pledges are hazed and 8 ABC pledges are hazed. It is a lot easier to get 1 XYZ to tell than 1 ABC based purely on numbers.

A lot of the *hush* is not just D9 stuff - or even the secrecy.

Its really a number run IMO.
i.e. They are smaller. there has to be a reason why they are smaller, must be hiding something, something weird must be going on.

Not to mention the prejudices/experiences of some people's parents that were in college 20-30 years ago (two way street - remember).

Org's will never be looked at the same way b/c they are inherently different (from their beginning) anyway...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

You know, the whole greek thing is funny on my campus.

Overall:
Fraternities are being rung out by the university.
Sororities could not be stronger!

BTW: Annual step show is SOLD OUT+ every year. You will see a lot of the MGC groups there, some people from the PNC, and very few IFC.

No one hates anyone else, there is just this distinct division. Granted, many of the orgs on campus have history going on 75 years + at that school for NPC and IFC. Houses make a big exporsure difference too, I think. Since all the greek houses are on campus, people see them very often. (Even I live in the Fraternity Quads - small dorm.) It is hard to break into that. Some of the Multi-cultural orgs. are extremely cliquish(w/hazing) and by doing so harm the others who are not. Since the NPC and IFC orgs are larger numbers per group, there is a more heavily enforced regulation.

Scenario: 30 XYZ pledges are hazed and 8 ABC pledges are hazed. It is a lot easier to get 1 XYZ to tell than 1 ABC based purely on numbers.

A lot of the *hush* is not just D9 stuff - or even the secrecy.

Its really a number run IMO.
i.e. They are smaller. there has to be a reason why they are smaller, must be hiding something, something weird must be going on.

Not to mention the prejudices/experiences of some people's parents that were in college 20-30 years ago (two way street - remember).

Org's will never be looked at the same way b/c they are inherently different (from their beginning) anyway...

PM me when you can...

[Senusret I]

ChildOftheHorn, you need to slow your roll. For real.

You were just initiated this past semester, right? You can't possibly know all there is to know about even your own organization, much less others to say that they MUST be smaller for a reason.

You're throwing about the word "hazing" an awful lot -- have you reported it? Or do you just like perpetuating gossip about cultural Greeks at Northwestern?

Originally Posted by Senusret I

You were just initiated this past semester, right? You can't possibly know all there is to know about even your own organization, much less others to say that they MUST be smaller for a reason.

[ladygreek]

Something that I think has been lost here is the fact while there are certainly first time college attendees in families, in many there are not. Because of the alumni/alumnae system in the NPHC many attendees are already quite aware of the NPHC orgs--either through family members, school teachers, neighbors, family friends, etc. And the latter four categories quite often apply even to first time college goers in a family.

My Mom joined Delta as an alumnae initiate the same month I graduated from high school. But I had been exposed to all of the D4 from my Godmother, teachers, advisors counselors, etc. And even from the events that were held in the community.

To be honest I haven't been approached by anyone who knew absolutely nothing about my org or others. So when it does happen I suspect it surprises folx. And again not to mention that some of our orgs have strict rules about engaging in conversation with a prospect about the org. Not because of secrecy, but because of legal liabity. And yes we have had young ladies try to sue when they were not accepted on the grounds that the sorority member they talked to led them to believe that they were qualified and would be accepted.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

ChildOftheHorn, you need to slow your roll. For real.

You were just initiated this past semester, right? You can't possibly know all there is to know about even your own organization, much less others to say that they MUST be smaller for a reason.

You're throwing about the word "hazing" an awful lot -- have you reported it? Or do you just like perpetuating gossip about cultural Greeks at Northwestern?

I must be missing something. I don't get the reaction to Child's post. To me it appears she is just being honest about her experience on her campus.

But then I didn't get the reaction to my post to Wolfman either.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

ChildOftheHorn, you need to slow your roll. For real.

You were just initiated this past semester, right? You can't possibly know all there is to know about even your own organization, much less others to say that they MUST be smaller for a reason.

You're throwing about the word "hazing" an awful lot -- have you reported it? Or do you just like perpetuating gossip about cultural Greeks at Northwestern?

I got the impression that what she is saying is that due to other people's (not her own) ignorance of how MGC & NPHC orgs work, they have these ideas about the size of the chapters and other things, and that's why she is pushing for greater communication and awareness between councils on her campus. Perhaps I misinterpreted?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I got the impression that what she is saying is that due to other people's (not her own) ignorance of how MGC & NPHC orgs work, they have these ideas about the size of the chapters and other things, and that's why she is pushing for greater communication and awareness between councils on her campus. Perhaps I misinterpreted?

You may be right. I won't take that aspect of what she's saying away from her. If she could perhaps be half as eloquent as you are, maybe I'd understand her point. Otherwise it just sounds like she's a neo running off at the mouth about a lot of things she doesn't know about.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I got the impression that what she is saying is that due to other people's (not her own) ignorance of how MGC & NPHC orgs work, they have these ideas about the size of the chapters and other things, and that's why she is pushing for greater communication and awareness between councils on her campus. Perhaps I misinterpreted?

That's how I took it, too.

[ChildoftheHorn]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Or do you just like perpetuating gossip about cultural Greeks at Northwestern?

People spread rumors of hazing and then people start to say stuff like that (that is what the i.e. was for )

BTW: I never made a statement about all the orgs in the cultural greek sys. hazing. People hear of one or two incidents that may or not have happened and they make assumptions. (People do that a lot!)

Honestly, a lot of people do not know their options. There is a lot of a LACK OF KNOWLEDGE about the greek system in general to NON-GREEKS. When you are consider the less exposure that the cutural greek orgs. get, it is resonable that a person would not know as much.

Even though I was only initiated in spring quarter, I have completed as of now two years there. I think that does give me the ability to comment on the campus climate.

For those of you hearing me selectively and not in context, understand that my intentions are for unity and change.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

You might think an NPHC org is cliquish because they are small and only like being around each other, but when you understand the history of NPHC organizations, that's sorta the point...especially on a white campus.

When you understand the WORK that goes into keep an active chapter of an NPHC organization going -- again, especially on a white campus -- maybe you will understand why NPHC orgs aren't taking the lead on all Greek events.

First, I am responding as a former Grad Ad and I do know how hard it is for undergraduates who join on these campuses, especially when their graduate members came in at time when there was segregation or civil rights protests... Times are NOT the same anymore no matter how much we like to reminsce.

These young people clique up because after they are initiated the actually ARE encountering mental HAZING and abuse by the faculty and staff who are clueless and HATE greeks--ALL GREEKS--including Greeks from Greece. If the letters are Greek, they HATE them...

I have NEVER seen such anger, resentment and hatred before until on of my UG sorors requested funds for a programmatic event. Then the student government association who charges ALL tuition paying student for these funds said they will not release the funds to ANY GREEK organization.

I circumvented by speaking to the city Council... Few of the members of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Kappa Alpha were highly concerned... Like Mission Beach, CA in the $20 million household running some companies in University City, CA... Let's just say alienation of any GLO was ended at that school...

So this is about leveraging more than anything else. But our UG's DO NOT leverage at these schools. You had better believe we leveraged at Spelman... And my sorors at Clark in Alpha Pi did too...

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

Honestly, a lot of people do not know their options. There is a lot of a LACK OF KNOWLEDGE about the greek system in general to NON-GREEKS. When you are consider the less exposure that the cutural greek orgs. get, it is resonable that a person would not know as much.

And, what I am saying that your ALUMNI are here to HELP you! Why must we be here to clean up messes usually causing due increase...

Young people NEVER listen to adults. It's been that way since the beginning of time. When we speak to young folks, we are often not joking, but trying to assist.

Yes, non-greeks who NEVER had a parent in the greek system will NEVER understand "Greek Life". We have over 70% immigrants starting to attend colleges. Their home countries do not have these kinds of things... Even if we explain the historical significance, it is still outside their purview or consciousness. Then the ethnically identified may (or may not) choose to identify with cultural GLO's...

But, in the end-game, somehow we all have to come together to make a difference. Because when we suffer due to unfortunate circumstances, it will not matter if we hold a "greek title".

[Animate]

Originally Posted by ChildoftheHorn

Scenario: 30 XYZ pledges are hazed and 8 ABC pledges are hazed. It is a lot easier to get 1 XYZ to tell than 1 ABC based purely on numbers.

A lot of the *hush* is not just D9 stuff - or even the secrecy.

Its really a number run IMO.
i.e. They are smaller. there has to be a reason why they are smaller, must be hiding something, something weird must be going on.

Not to mention the prejudices/experiences of some people's parents that were in college 20-30 years ago (two way street - remember).

Org's will never be looked at the same way b/c they are inherently different (from their beginning) anyway...

Please plead the fif before you seriously incriminate youself. You are commenting on things you have little to no knowledge of. "They are smaller. there has to be a reason why they are smaller, must be hiding something, something weird must be going on." Seriously? You wanna play numbers? Let's play.