Perception of sororities nationally

[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.

[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.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

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."

This is exactly what I meant when I wrote previously that it was a pleasant surprise to discover what an excellent reputation Tri Delta has nationally. I've had numerous times when people looked at me differently when they discovered I was a DDD, treated me with more respect, and assumed I must have been in a "top" house in college simply because that is their perception of Tri Delta. In my extreme example, one woman was completely flabbergasted and blurted out, "I didn't know you came from a wealthy family!" (I didn't.) But her perception of DDD based on her limited experience from her school was that Tri Delta = very big bucks.

I do think that the leadership opportunities were of great benefit to me from the non-Greek perspective, especially when you have the opportunity to explain what it involves. Very few college women get to take on the kinds of responsibilities a chapter president or treasurer does during their college years. (I was president, not treasurer. Just using it as an example.) In many of those cases, I don't think it mattered a bit to them which sorority I was in or where I went to school. They were interested in how the leadership experiences had shaped me and contributed to my growth as a person.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

This is exactly what I meant when I wrote previously that it was a pleasant surprise to discover what an excellent reputation Tri Delta has nationally. I've had numerous times when people looked at me differently when they discovered I was a DDD, treated me with more respect, and assumed I must have been in a "top" house in college simply because that is their perception of Tri Delta. In my extreme example, one woman was completely flabbergasted and blurted out, "I didn't know you came from a wealthy family!" (I didn't.) But her perception of DDD based on her limited experience from her school was that Tri Delta = very big bucks.

I read this and interpret it as somewhat contradictory. On the one hand, you are saying that people think DDD is strong based on their limited, regional experience. On the other, you say that DDD's strength is national. (As in stronger than other NPCs.)

[TigerPiPhi]

Originally Posted by 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.

What I always thought was kind of neat was that at alum club meetings, or any function where sisters from different chapters would interact, everyone got along as if we would have all pledged the same chapter in college, when that reality that wouldn't have been the case. It's like all the superficial stuff that gets judged to determine "tiers" or whatever gets overlooked when you meet someone who shares the same bond of sisterhood as you. Instant stuff in common. Sounds cheesy, but it's true.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

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

Sigh...