What makes Greek life "hot" in the south?

[bowsandtoes]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Well, if being a part of the same organization isn't what makes you brothers - if having the same ideals, same creed, having gone through the same ritual, being a part of a chain of men going back over a hundred years isn't what makes you brothers, what does that say about your GLO? You would say a man who has gone through all of that is not your brother because of his choice of clothing? A man who wears a hoodie instantly is somehow inferior? Pardon me for thinking that your standards are rather superficial if that is the case.

That's one way to look at it. The only problem is that a lot of the time they haven't gone through the same experience. From rush to pledgeship their experience is not nearly as intense. In our eyes, they haven't "earned it". Maybe it's just my fraternity, who enacted a 'Balanced Man' program that's met widespread criticism for lowering the standards of admittance. I talk to friends from other schools and there we are known as "Sigma Phi Everyone" because the chapters have a reputation of bidding anyone who walks in the door.

Obviously, this is not always the case. I have friends at Northern chapters of my fraternity and other organizations that I have a great deal of respect for because of the way they conduct themselves. It's those chapters I previously described they tend to 'cheapen' I letters that I take exception to.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by bowsandtoes

Maybe it's just my fraternity, who enacted a 'Balanced Man' program that's met widespread criticism for lowering the standards of admittance. I talk to friends from other schools and there we are known as "Sigma Phi Everyone" because the chapters have a reputation of bidding anyone who walks in the door.

I think that as far as that's concerned, it IS fraternity specific since that's a fraternity specific program.

In this case, a policy has been enacted that is directly having an impact on who is chosen for membership and how.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by bowsandtoes

That's one way to look at it. The only problem is that a lot of the time they haven't gone through the same experience. From rush to pledgeship their experience is not nearly as intense. In our eyes, they haven't "earned it". Maybe it's just my fraternity, who enacted a 'Balanced Man' program that's met widespread criticism for lowering the standards of admittance. I talk to friends from other schools and there we are known as "Sigma Phi Everyone" because the chapters have a reputation of bidding anyone who walks in the door.

You may say that, but as a Northern greek who knows many Sig Eps personally, I can say with confidence they are one of the top fraternities around, 'despite' their Balanced Man program.

So shut up. I can't believe I have to defend your own fraternity brothers to you.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

You may say that, but as a Northern greek who knows many Sig Eps personally, I can say with confidence they are one of the top fraternities around, 'despite' their Balanced Man program.

So shut up. I can't believe I have to defend your own fraternity brothers to you.

Sig Ep struggles because of Balanced Man in the South. You've got to understand that it does not matter if "they are the top fraternity around" in the north, because they judge by different standards. In the South, Balanced Man is a detriment. It signifies inclusiveness usually. Fraternities are like country clubs. You don't want to join an inclusive country club, you want to join an exclusive one, to raise your social standing and so forth. Hell, Ole Miss Sig Ep took 90 one rush, am I correct? I believe it was close to that.

In my opinion, the top fraternity scenes in the nation are in Alabama and Mississippi some of the poorest states. That being said, you can insult Arkansas for being poor and so forth but we're among some of the best states for greek life.

People are judged by many circumstances not purely on wealth, but generally influenced by wealth. Where they are from, who they know, their manners and ettiquette, their character, their dress, and their actions go into a bid.