National sororities that pioneered on a campus

[oldu]

I like to do comparisons because, despite the protestations, people like them. Why is the US News comparison of colleges by far their most popular issue? I can almost always count on someone immediately protesting that the comparison means nothing if their organization is not as high as they would like or think it should be. Every year dozens of college officials protest the US News study a waste or unfair, yet the can't wait to see next year's comparison. That people can see thir own organization by several different standards is what makes it relevant.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by oldu

I like to do comparisons because, despite the protestations, people like them. Why is the US News comparison of colleges by far their most popular issue?

Because people are sheeple and lazy and would rather some survey tell them what's the "best" college than to figure it out for themselves, or to ask hard questions about how the data was collected.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by oldu

I can almost always count on someone immediately protesting that the comparison means nothing if their organization is not as high as they would like or think it should be.

Yep, I was expecting that. I honestly don't care where my organization falls in your comparisons. I know Kappa Delta better than you do. It's more to me than a bunch of statistics. We aren't the oldest; we aren't the biggest. I'm perfectly fine with that. It doesn't diminish Kappa Delta in my eyes.

I think this all comes down to completely different perspectives and values. There are those who are consumed with status. Personally, I find it to be a sign of insecurity. I value different things in my organization than the statistics you've presented. What I love about my sorority and what I admire in other organizations can't be quantified.

So, I'll leave you to your comparisons. You're enjoying the research and others appreciate your effort. That's all well and good. It's just not for me.

Toodles!

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Yep, I was expecting that. I honestly don't care where my organization falls in your comparisons. I know Kappa Delta better than you do. It's more to me than a bunch of statistics. We aren't the oldest; we aren't the biggest. I'm perfectly fine with that. It doesn't diminish Kappa Delta in my eyes.

I think this all comes down to completely different perspectives and values. There are those who are consumed with status. Personally, I find it to be a sign of insecurity. I value different things in my organization than the statistics you've presented. What I love about my sorority and what I admire in other organizations can't be quantified.

So, I'll leave you to your comparisons. You're enjoying the research and others appreciate your effort. That's all well and good. It's just not for me.

Toodles!

I don't think it can be said any better than this.

Brava!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

I think this all comes down to completely different perspectives and values. There are those who are consumed with status. Personally, I find it to be a sign of insecurity. I value different things in my organization than the statistics you've presented. What I love about my sorority and what I admire in other organizations can't be quantified.

Very well said.

Historical info is great as long as it's kept in perspective.

[Cutie_Hootie]

Originally Posted by oldu

I like to do comparisons because, despite the protestations, people like them. Why is the US News comparison of colleges by far their most popular issue? I can almost always count on someone immediately protesting that the comparison means nothing if their organization is not as high as they would like or think it should be. Every year dozens of college officials protest the US News study a waste or unfair, yet the can't wait to see next year's comparison. That people can see thir own organization by several different standards is what makes it relevant.

I rarely, if ever, respond to these topics, but I always read them. I have to say I've truly enjoyed everything oldu has shared thus far. I know Chi Omega's history, but I know very little about other organizations, especially those who are not on my campus. Reading these posts has taught me a great deal, and made me curious to learn the stories BEHIND the statistics (for example--It was mentioned earlier that Gamma Phi Beta was very selective for a period...why?) Those are the aspects of Greek history I find fascinating.

[SWTXBelle]

Cutie Hootie - I too like reading these historical perspectives. My Gamma Phi history is currently packed, so I'm just paraphrasing, but Gamma Phi had a decidely anti-expansion mindset for a while, and it was a bit of a struggle to change. Many feared that we would lose our close sisterhood or perhaps worry more about quantity over quality. These fears may seem quaint now, but if you think of the way the world was changing at the turn of the 19th century then I think it makes a little more sense. This is true of some other NPC groups - they were hesitant to expand at a rapid rate. Others, such as your beloved Chi O, had a very pro-expansion policy from early on. One of the things that I find interesting about the NPC groups is the many varied roads our groups took from their foundings to today.