Perception of sororities nationally

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

From a nonprofit organization standpoint, would anyone argue for or against some NPCs being "run better" than others?

I think the only difference is the "larger" NPCs typically have more resources to draw from - people and donations/money-wise. I don't think that necessarily equates to them being run better, though.

[Kansas City]

This is what I was referring to with my do something about it comment above ...

Originally Posted by Senusret I

From a nonprofit organization standpoint, would anyone argue for or against some NPCs being "run better" than others?

Or more specifically, in private conversations, have you ever heard advisors or other alumnae comparing notes on operations and observing that some people believe one org fuctions at a level higher than another?

Note: I am not asking if anyone has done this themselves, but if they've overheard such conversations.

[SWTXBelle]

It is short-sighted to think that if your GLO is "top-tier" then you can afford to look down your nose at the others. The fact of the matter is that the Greek system has always had, and continues to have, enemies who would like nothing better than to do away with ALL of us.

Our best defense is to be strong - to offer a way of college life that embraces the widest possible variety of women, that can offer sisterhood to women of all backgrounds, religions, races and economic means, that seeks to embody in our day to day living the fine words and noble sentiments we have as our creeds, symphonies, and statements of purpose.

The problem with rankings is that they are based on a very narrow set of data - it might be number of members, or chapters, or what have you, but it simply cannot measure the subjective things that can make a smaller chapter or sorority great in their own way. And most of the "ranking" I've seen nowadays tends to be TOTALLY subjective and based on individual perceptions - my personal favorite? When fraternity men base it on the perceived "hotness" of particular chapters. Yep, I've checked - hotness of members is not mentioned as an atribute of any NPC members that I've seen. It could be under the heading of membership selection, but I doubt it . . .

There are several chapters of NPC sororities at highly competitive schools that do not participate in formal recruitment. I have nothing but respect for the fact that their HQs recognize that while they may not be able to compete in formal recruitment, they still have something to offer to women who might otherwise not have a sorority home.

Also, those women who might not find a home during formal recruitment but who have a great deal to offer a GLO - what of them? You need only review recruitment threads here to see that the system is not perfect, and lovely, smart, talented young women can go bidless. It is not in their best interests - or NPC sororities - to become fixated on meeting the needs of a miniscule number of perceived "top tier" types. That would be our death knell. The system's strength is our best insurance that we will be able to pass our legacy on to generations to come.

[FSUZeta]

here, here!!

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

It is short-sighted to think that if your GLO is "top-tier" then you can afford to look down your nose at the others. The fact of the matter is that the Greek system has always had, and continues to have, enemies who would like nothing better than to do away with ALL of us.

Our best defense is to be strong - to offer a way of college life that embraces the widest possible variety of women, that can offer sisterhood to women of all backgrounds, religions, races and economic means, that seeks to embody in our day to day living the fine words and noble sentiments we have as our creeds, symphonies, and statements of purpose.

I do agree with you.

When Colby College had problems with the fraternities...they did away with the women's groups too.

I'm all for each group in NPC to be the best they can be. We are only as strong as our weakest link, I believe.

[breathesgelatin]

Am I the first Pi Phi to post in this thread?

I have a comment pertinent to the OP's original perception of Pi Phi (which does not offend me at all).

I was a Pi Phi in college, and not in a "top tier" chapter. That was fine by me! I knew in college, though, which Pi Phi chapters are generally considered some of the strongest/most popular/top tieriest. It was a topic of conversation! There was even some fascination with them... like... oooh... top tier Pi Phis. Of course, since this has already been pretty clearly outed in this thread, the Texas Pi Phis were one of the chapters that was mostly frequently mentioned.

Fast forward to me graduating and moving to Austin to go to grad school at Texas.

I have had Pi Phi benefit me in ways that are sometimes surprising. When I get around certain types of people and Greek Life comes up and they find out I am a Pi Phi, some kind of switch goes off in their head. Sometimes they get nicer to me. Sometimes they tell me chatty stories or start to think of me as their peer when maybe they did not before. A lot of times they say "You really need to meet and talk with my high school daughter!" In one extreme situation I was even given pictures of the daughter to evaluate.

I honestly believe that being a Pi Phi (specifically a Pi Phi, not having been president of a sorority and an award-winning member on a regional level in general) has helped me with job applications and that sort of thing. Because people see that I am a Pi Phi and suddenly assume that I am "one of them."

It is very interesting and I never would have guessed how widespread it is.

The funny thing is, that when I was active in my sorority I had a strong sense that Pi Phi was not nerdy everywhere or cool everywhere. I also knew, for example, that the "hot chapter" at my campus was only average at my best friend's college campus and bottom tier at some other schools I had friends at. But for these people in Texas who make assumptions about me because I am a Pi Phi, they don't seem to realize that the socioeconomic/class values they associate with Pi Phi may not apply to every Pi Phi chapter. I just don't understand how these people don't get it or don't "see through me."

I guess part of it is that my chapter, despite not being "top tier," was in many respects pretty preppy and southern-like. The new members we took were not like that, but the seniors we graduated were. So I guess people see me looking preppy or cute or put together or being socially competent or whatever and just assume I'm from an awesome chapter. eg I can pass, until they start asking me questions about politics or something. ROFL. And also a lot of Texas people go to my school so maybe they just assume W&L's tiers mirror Texas or UT tiers.

Anyway just my .02.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

When Colby College had problems with the fraternities...they did away with the women's groups too.

Sigh...

[agzg]

I agree that NPCs all have great reputations nationally. I think that NPHC organizations also have great reputations.

I wouldn't know about some organizations being "run better" but I would imagine a lot of that would have to do with how active and involved the alumnae are, how willing collegiate chapters are to follow policies, and a whole myriad of other factors.

[gee_ess]

I took her comments to mean that she was able to easily guess the others (besides Pi Phi) because she has had some exposure to the others and not so much with Pi Phi...
And in making those comments, she actually backs up her observations about campus culture influencing someone's opinion of a particular NPC group.

[baci]

I really think people need to take comments a bit (more) lightly on GC. I don't think TriDeltaSallie meant any harm.

She was just sharing some thoughts and possibly looking for feedback/opinions.

I have been flamed on GC recently for being inquisitive and it was for the very reason that I have not been exposed to all sororities/fraternities in my area and I wanted to know how they were in various regions/states etc. I was just looking for perceptions and general chat - not drama.

[Zeta13Girl]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

tiers at UTexas which was shared in this comment.

Wow never saw that comment before and I actually find it quite offensive, although its funny how arrows and angels states "Pi Phis don't have to flaunt what they've got. When you've got everything-money, a good name, good looks, and status-what's the point?"
Then why is it necessary to write out who is what tier and why they make that tier. If you have that status then you'd think everyone would know and you wouldn't need to put it out there. But what do I know I'm just a damn Yankee/midwest country girl.


Nothing against the Pi Phis here you could be a great group of girls at UT for all I know.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Zeta13Girl

Wow never saw that comment before and I actually find it quite offensive, although its funny how arrows and angels states "Pi Phis don't have to flaunt what they've got. When you've got everything-money, a good name, good looks, and status-what's the point?"
Then why is it necessary to write out who is what tier and why they make that tier. If you have that status then you'd think everyone would know and you wouldn't need to put it out there. But what do I know I'm just a damn Yankee/midwest country girl.


Nothing against the Pi Phis here you could be a great group of girls at UT for all I know.

FWIW, those comments were copied from some dumb article, not necessary arrows and angels' opinion. Totally agree with the "if you're so top tier, you don't need to point it out" sentiment, though.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

FWIW, those comments were copied from some dumb article, not necessary arrows and angels' opinion. Totally agree with the "if you're so top tier, you don't need to point it out" sentiment, though.

Whoa. From my experience, no one in the "top tier" sororities even thinks about things like that. Things just are what they are. There aren't legions of Regina Georges running around talking about how "bottom tier" other people are. Seriously, the fascination seems to come from the outside, and from the inside it isn't an issue at all.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

FWIW, those comments were copied from some dumb article, not necessary arrows and angels' opinion. Totally agree with the "if you're so top tier, you don't need to point it out" sentiment, though.

yes, the article was found in "Texas monthly" years and years ago and was written tongue in cheek, much like the "southern belle primer"-there is probably some truth in what was written, but was meant in jest.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

yes, the article was found in "Texas monthly" years and years ago and was written tongue in cheek, much like the "southern belle primer"-there is probably some truth in what was written, but was meant in jest.

Totally agree with the comment that this is a "tongue in cheek" article that is spoofing sorority tiers at Texas. I would suggest that you also read "The Southern Belle Primer or Princess Margaret will Never be a Kappa Kappa Gamma" for further such reading. These are meant to poke fun at southern life, etc.

And, unless I am mistaken, those of us from the south on GC are able to recognize a stereotyped, over-generalized, one dimensional version of ourselves and laugh not take offense.

But let's not get into a "southern vs northern" Greek discussion, please.

I don't think discussing national sororities' regional reputations is any different than discussing a national company who may or may not do business in your region. i.e Bank of America, Dillard's Dept Store, etc.