University of Alabama Recruitment 2007

[AnchorAlumna]

kk_bama posted some good info about Old Row/New Row in this thread: http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...hlight=Alabama
You'll have to look toward the end for it.

[Gung-Ho-Chi-O]

Hello Dgdramadawg!

Ah, the whole "Old Row/New Row" thing...

I think Kappa was just simply left off the list... surely just an oversight! Kappa, although I'm not an alumna, is most definitely Old Row at Alabama!

Even though a previous poster said Old Row was a matter of longevity on campus -- please don't take this as me being snarky -- I believe Old Row is more a matter of "social distinction."

In my day, Alpha Chi Omega & Phi Mu were either "in" or "out" (I sound like Heidi Klum) of Old Row based on their favor with the "machine."

For instance, I have heard Phi Mu backed its own candidate for a machine-related position & the next year they were not invited to Lake Party... so they were not "On Old Row" that year. (Didn't this involve Minda Riley, a cross burning and CNN? Don't ask me for details... google it!)

I'm trying to be lighthearted about this, and I think maybe we should stop the discussion regarding old vs new row. Even though it is uniquely Alabama, it can also be a devisive issue since some folks also call it "top five" which obviously leaves a good many out...

Let's focus on positive on the forum, eh?

[dgdramadawg]

Thanks for explaining, Gung Ho Chi O!

[Gung-Ho-Chi-O]

No problem dgdramadawg :-) Hope you're having a wonderful morning! By the way, I think your school has a BEAUTIFUL campus!!!

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by Gung-Ho-Chi-O

Hello Dgdramadawg!

Ah, the whole "Old Row/New Row" thing...

I think Kappa was just simply left off the list... surely just an oversight! Kappa, although I'm not an alumna, is most definitely Old Row at Alabama!

Even though a previous poster said Old Row was a matter of longevity on campus -- please don't take this as me being snarky -- I believe Old Row is more a matter of "social distinction."

In my day, Alpha Chi Omega & Phi Mu were either "in" or "out" (I sound like Heidi Klum) of Old Row based on their favor with the "machine."

For instance, I have heard Phi Mu backed its own candidate for a machine-related position & the next year they were not invited to Lake Party... so they were not "On Old Row" that year. (Didn't this involve Minda Riley, a cross burning and CNN? Don't ask me for details... google it!)

I'm trying to be lighthearted about this, and I think maybe we should stop the discussion regarding old vs new row. Even though it is uniquely Alabama, it can also be a devisive issue since some folks also call it "top five" which obviously leaves a good many out...

Let's focus on positive on the forum, eh?

I remember visiting Alabama the week before the 93' Tennessee game, and was talking to some student who worked at a campus bookstore about the Minda Riley incident, and I remember him saying (apparently trying to discredit her) "her own sorority sisters didn't back her, they backed the machine." Also, I remember reading about the same thing in an archived news article. For what that's worth.

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

I remember visiting Alabama the week before the 93' Tennessee game, and was talking to some student who worked at a campus bookstore about the Minda Riley incident, and I remember him saying (apparently trying to discredit her) "her own sorority sisters didn't back her, they backed the machine." Also, I remember reading about the same thing in an archived news article. For what that's worth.

Oh, I definitely agree that it's good to focus on the positive on this board, sorry if what I just posted took away from that, just got up and haven't gotten down my morning coffee, just trying to be informative; didn't think it all the way through!

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by Gung-Ho-Chi-O

Hello Dgdramadawg!

Ah, the whole "Old Row/New Row" thing...

I think Kappa was just simply left off the list... surely just an oversight! Kappa, although I'm not an alumna, is most definitely Old Row at Alabama!

Even though a previous poster said Old Row was a matter of longevity on campus -- please don't take this as me being snarky -- I believe Old Row is more a matter of "social distinction."

In my day, Alpha Chi Omega & Phi Mu were either "in" or "out" (I sound like Heidi Klum) of Old Row based on their favor with the "machine."

For instance, I have heard Phi Mu backed its own candidate for a machine-related position & the next year they were not invited to Lake Party... so they were not "On Old Row" that year. (Didn't this involve Minda Riley, a cross burning and CNN? Don't ask me for details... google it!)

I'm trying to be lighthearted about this, and I think maybe we should stop the discussion regarding old vs new row. Even though it is uniquely Alabama, it can also be a devisive issue since some folks also call it "top five" which obviously leaves a good many out...

Let's focus on positive on the forum, eh?

Yes, Gung Ho Chi O is definitely correct on all this. This explains why some of the older chapters are not Old Row, even though technically they could be.

But let's make it very clear that a member of a non-Old Row sorority or fraternity can have just as much of a fun and positive experience as those who are on Old Row. I mentioned in another thread that Old Row has maybe one or two functions of their own per year, which doesn't really make all that much difference.

[bamabelle99]

Originally Posted by Gung-Ho-Chi-O

Hello Dgdramadawg!

Ah, the whole "Old Row/New Row" thing...

I think Kappa was just simply left off the list... surely just an oversight! Kappa, although I'm not an alumna, is most definitely Old Row at Alabama!

Even though a previous poster said Old Row was a matter of longevity on campus -- please don't take this as me being snarky -- I believe Old Row is more a matter of "social distinction."

In my day, Alpha Chi Omega & Phi Mu were either "in" or "out" (I sound like Heidi Klum) of Old Row based on their favor with the "machine."

For instance, I have heard Phi Mu backed its own candidate for a machine-related position & the next year they were not invited to Lake Party... so they were not "On Old Row" that year. (Didn't this involve Minda Riley, a cross burning and CNN? Don't ask me for details... google it!)

I'm trying to be lighthearted about this, and I think maybe we should stop the discussion regarding old vs new row. Even though it is uniquely Alabama, it can also be a devisive issue since some folks also call it "top five" which obviously leaves a good many out...

Let's focus on positive on the forum, eh?

Phi Mu joined late 90's...

Old Row/New Row, at least in my opinion, doesn't really matter...It's supposed to be the oldest houses on campus, but there are new row sororities that were there before some old row and blah, blah, blah. I was new row and had good friends that were old row and dated some old row. Big deal...

Essentially, they pay a little extra a semester for two additional parties a year (from what I understand). I was in school 10 years ago, so things could be different now. Yes, there was the 'social distinction', but I don't think that it's as big a deal as it was 20 years ago.

Old Row doens't necessarily make a you a machine member...that membership is made up of old row and new row houses.

[MVisKD]

Originally Posted by dgdramadawg

So, I was under the impression from things I've read on GC other than the posts about Phi Mu-not-Kappa in this thread that Old Row is AGD, KD, Tri Delt, Kappa, XO, and AXO. So, according to what's posted here, either Kappa is Old Row, was never Old Row, or left Old Row. Which?

As far as I know, KKG is still Old Row! I get forgetful in my old age!

[triplefigs]

I was a charter member of GPhiB at Bama in 1988 (chapter was formally chartered in Feb 89). I am SO glad to see that the chapter is doing much better on recruitment. We live in Atlanta now, and I grew up in Athens, AL. I see several girls on the pledge list from both places!

Congrats to all the houses for a great year. Roll Tide!

[kk_bama]

Originally Posted by triplefigs

I was a charter member of GPhiB at Bama in 1998 (chapter was formally chartered in Feb 90). I am SO glad to see that the chapter is doing much better on recruitment. We live in Atlanta now, and I grew up in Athens, AL. I see several girls on the pledge list from both places!

Congrats to all the houses for a great year. Roll Tide!

I am on the advisory board, so if you ever want any updates, feel free to contact me! You do mean 1988, right? Or just trying to fudge a decade?

[triplefigs]

Originally Posted by kk_bama

I am on the advisory board, so if you ever want any updates, feel free to contact me! You do mean 1988, right? Or just trying to fudge a decade?

Yes, that would be 88! Geez, told you I was old. I get the update emails (haven't in a while). I'm sorry I missed the 15 year party last Feb. Go Gamma Phi!

[LXA SE285]

Is First Circle the first three sororities to build houses on campus or the three oldest continuously operating chapters? I've heard both ...

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

Is First Circle the first three sororities to build houses on campus or the three oldest continuously operating chapters? I've heard both ...

I truly never heard of "First Circle." It's just "Circle," and it was the sororities which were located on or very near the circle bounded by KD, AGD, DDD, and AXOmega. The term has pretty much fallen out of use in favor of "Old Row." And true, "Old Row" is not synonymous with the Machine. The fraternities of the Machine use to pretty much tell the sororities what to do, and NEVER backed a sorority member for an SGA office. That has changed...some. Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

[MVisKD]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I truly never heard of "First Circle." It's just "Circle," and it was the sororities which were located on or very near the circle bounded by KD, AGD, DDD, and AXOmega. The term has pretty much fallen out of use in favor of "Old Row." And true, "Old Row" is not synonymous with the Machine. The fraternities of the Machine use to pretty much tell the sororities what to do, and NEVER backed a sorority member for an SGA office. That has changed...some. Really, the sororities have WAY more members than fraternities and ought to take over the Machine! (And yes, I admire Minda Riley for standing up to them!)

The First Circle sororities are KD, DDD & AGD. I don't really remember the history behind it, I just remember thinking that it was because those were the first sororities on campus. But seeing as how I only know KD's history I cannot vouch for that. First Circle had a private party every year and that was pretty much the extent....I don't know if they still do this or not but I am certain no one refers to them as "First Circle" in everyday chatter.