Minorities in 'white' frats/sororities

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Does anyone know if the NPC has ever discussed reviewing the tradition (or is it a policy) of taking freshmen as a majority?

I haven't seen any official policy statements, but a number of organizations have published articles in their magazines that talk about the changing face of university students - how many first year students are older, more ethnically diverse, and come from different financial circumstances than the so-called "traditional" college student. In an article I read, the writer stressed that we should look at all potential new members equally.

[Sistermadly]

I wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to all the members of the D9 who took the time to answer my questions.

[roqueemae]

None to the rest of us?

[tunatartare]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Does anyone know if the NPC has ever discussed reviewing the tradition (or is it a policy) of taking freshmen as a majority? If these sororities took women all the way through senior year, it might promote the idea of membership for a lifetime. I understand that, for the way NPC sororities work, it would be best to take mostly freshmen to keep the chapter running properly. But if it weren't such a challenge for juniors and seniors to join, they - especially seniors - would still be barely out of their first year euphoria and would surely make wonderful alumnae association members!

This past year when I was Rho Chi, we had a senior go through recruitment and she got a bid to her second choice house that she was happy with and she accepted. A few weeks later, I ran into her on campus and she told me that she dropped out of the sorority because she had a large course load and she lived off campus and she didn't have enough time for it.

[33girl]

Everyone who's saying "NPCs only want freshmen" or "freshmen are a majority" - THIS IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOT TRUE.

It may be the case at schools like LSU, Texas, etc - schools where Greek life is huge and there are tons and tons of girls going through. But those schools are becoming fewer and farther between. At many many MANY schools, your class standing really doesn't matter. At some schools you can't even rush until you are a sophomore - so it obviously isn't a policy for any sorority.

I don't deny that there are schools where it's hard for an upperclassman to get a bid, but there are just as many where juniors and seniors rush and get bids with no problem. If you're at one of the latter and don't get a bid, maybe it's you, not your class status. Sorry to be blunt, but it's the truth.

[preciousjeni]

If these sororities took women all the way through senior year, it might promote the idea of membership for a lifetime.

Oops! I just re-read my post and I'm guilty. I should have said something more like "If these sororities, on each campus, embraced women all the way through senior year..." I know that NPCs don't just take freshmen and that this is a well-distributed myth. So, my apologies!!!

[KSUViolet06]

My org actually published an article in the Fall 2004 issue of our magazine about realizing that most PNM's are NOT typical 18 year old, white, middle class freshmen anymore.

I think my school has done a good job with getting upperclassmen. Of our 140 or so rushees, only maybe 40% of those were freshmen. The majority were sophomores and juniors. We also had quite a few junior and senior transfers who had a few years left in school. They all ended up with their 1st or 2nd choice.

[taurus0426]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I'm African American and I joined my sorority in the spring of 2004 (informal recruitment) as a sophomore. It was never a big deal to me. It was just a matter of me liking the women, the sorority itself, and feeling like Sigma was a place I could positively contribute to.

I think it's just a matter of "different strokes for different folks". It all depends on where you are happy and where you fit. The majority of my Greek friends of my race are NPHC but they don't give me flack about my choice. They actually hugged me when I found out I got a bid because they knew I'd found an organization I clicked with.

Currently I am the only African American in my chapter, but we have several alumnae who are. Other chapters on campus have women of different ethnicities in them, and I actually see a growing number of culturally diverse women becoming interested.

With regards to diversity, I'm also proud to say that I have a disability and that I was honestly at fisrt more concerned about that than my race. I never thought my race was a factor or issue.

anyway-In terms of other types of diversity, EVERY chapter on my campus just happens to have members of varying physical ability levels and think that is just as amazing as the racial diversity here.

Amen to that! I may pledge but I have the same dillemma. I'm looking at several groups both NPC and NPHC and feel like if I do join an NPC I'll be seen as werid or "selling out". Has anyone been called that? (mostly black pledging white?)

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by taurus0426

Amen to that! I may pledge but I have the same dillemma. I'm looking at several groups both NPC and NPHC and feel like if I do join an NPC I'll be seen as werid or "selling out". Has anyone been called that? (mostly black pledging white?)

This is going to sound mean, but who cares what others think? Are they going to be paying your dues? If not, then it is of no consequence to anyone what sorority you join.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by taurus0426

Amen to that! I may pledge but I have the same dillemma. I'm looking at several groups both NPC and NPHC and feel like if I do join an NPC I'll be seen as werid or "selling out". Has anyone been called that? (mostly black pledging white?)

People may think that.

Back in my college days, I asked a friend of mine (who was black) if he wanted to come to some fraternity event (I was recruiting him). He politely declined because his roommate was in an NPHC organization and he had already been told that he'd basically be ostracized if he pledged a "white" fraternity.

[taurus0426]

I know I guess I'm too self concuious (sp?) I've been called a sellout many times throughout my life so I couldnt help but wonder.

And the only people who matter to me are my fam since they're gonna be helping me with dues. But I think they would rather me be happy wherever I feel right at....who knows what'll happen?

[taurus0426]

Originally Posted by Kevin

People may think that.

Back in my college days, I asked a friend of mine (who was black) if he wanted to come to some fraternity event (I was recruiting him). He politely declined because his roommate was in an NPHC organization and he had already been told that he'd basically be ostracized if he pledged a "white" fraternity.

I wonder if this is more of a black/minority hangup? Its like if a white person joins something with nonwhite memebers no one white cares or really makes a fuss but if its the other way, we get seen as some kind of traitor? Or if a white person joins a black GLO they're seen as "wannabees"?

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by taurus0426

I know I guess I'm too self concuious (sp?) I've been called a sellout many times throughout my life so I couldnt help but wonder.

And the only people who matter to me are my fam since they're gonna be helping me with dues. But I think they would rather me be happy wherever I feel right at....who knows what'll happen?

Why were you called a sell out? Because you didn't "act black" enough maybe?

Look, IGNORANT people are the ones who think others are "sellouts" because they don't hang out with the other Black students, they join an NIC/NPC org, have mostly white friends, etc.

Don't pay attention to the opinions of the less intelligent. As you said, the only people that matter are your family. As long as you feel comfortable wherever you end up, then it's all that matters.

I know Black members of predominantly Hispanic IFC/NPC chapters (I'm at FIU... in Miami lol). And although some people may think "Oh, it's different because the majority of the chapters are Hispanic and not White," it really isn't. The Black members are still the "minority" in their chapters but they feel a sense of belonging and love their brothers or sisters.

And at the same time, most of these Black IFC/NPC members I can't seem to picture in an NPHC org. Some Black people just wouldn't fit in or feel at home in a historically Black GLO the same way that some White people wouldn't feel at home in a WGLO and the same way I wouldn't feel at home in a LGLO.

It really is no big deal, IMHO.

I hope you are able to make the best decision for you, and don't forget to not pay attention to the people trying to bring you down.

[taurus0426]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Why were you called a sell out? Because you didn't "act black" enough maybe?

Look, IGNORANT people are the ones who think others are "sellouts" because they don't hang out with the other Black students, they join an NIC/NPC org, have mostly white friends, etc.

Don't pay attention to the opinions of the less intelligent. As you said, the only people that matter are your family. As long as you feel comfortable wherever you end up, then it's all that matters.

I know Black members of predominantly Hispanic IFC/NPC chapters (I'm at FIU... in Miami lol). And although some people may think "Oh, it's different because the majority of the chapters are Hispanic and not White," it really isn't. The Black members are still the "minority" in their chapters but they feel a sense of belonging and love their brothers or sisters.

And at the same time, most of these Black IFC/NPC members I can't seem to picture in an NPHC org. Some Black people just wouldn't fit in or feel at home in a historically Black GLO the same way that some White people wouldn't feel at home in a WGLO and the same way I wouldn't feel at home in a LGLO.

It really is no big deal, IMHO.

I hope you are able to make the best decision for you, and don't forget to not pay attention to the people trying to bring you down.

I really like two NPCs at my school so I might rush them not sure of pledging but my heart is reallly set on one NPHC. I havent met any of them yet so I'll give them all fair chances.

And the people who think I would be out of place is my own fam....NPHC members but I really think it's beacuse of their old school mentality. They arent racist but have a strong rooted belief that the D9 is the only thing "we" have that blacks founded and dominated for the last 100+ years and the traditon is dying out if my generation goes NPC. But times are changing....

This sounds like that blood purity thing I read in Harry Potter!

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by taurus0426

I really like two NPCs at my school so I might rush them not sure of pledging but my heart is reallly set on one NPHC. I havent met any of them yet so I'll give them all fair chances.

And the people who think I would be out of place is my own fam....NPHC members but I really think it's beacuse of their old school mentality. They arent racist but have a strong rooted belief that the D9 is the only thing "we" have that blacks founded and dominated for the last 100+ years and the traditon is dying out if my generation goes NPC. But times are changing....

This sounds like that blood purity thing I read in Harry Potter!

Well, think of it this way... You shouldn't pursue membership in an NPHC org unless your heart is set on THAT glo, right? Well I think your family would accept it (even if it takes time) more if you joined an NPC and felt happy and had no regrets than if you pursued membership in an NPHC org half-assed and not whole heartedly.

Regardless, you shouldn't join ANY greek org without being sure it's right for you.

That's all I can think of now lol.