"Sisterhood Is Powerful" by Prudence Mackintosh (Texas Monthly, Sept. 1976)

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Eightisgreat

I also believe the camp factor is big at UT but with the competitive nature of admissions, it will become less a factor as not as many camp girls will gain admission OR camp girls start to make academic summer choices to increase their chances for a spot at UT. You have to get that acceptance letter before you ever apply for recruitment. But the camp girls that do make it to UT do have an edge…the bond is long and strong.

The fact is things have changed at UT. If we could just get that through the heads of PNMs I feel more rush experiences would be more positive and fulfilling.

True, but with the economy as it is, many "camp girls" that would have gone to a more competitive private university will stay in state and go to UT. Girls with deep ties to UT have historically passed up private universities for UT - that only becomes more important now. Also remember, that many of these "camp girls" also go to VERY competitive private (and public) high schools, so actually getting into UT is less of an issue. I think this factor actually becomes a wash.

Originally Posted by srmom

I haven't posted in a while, but I am chiming in just because I seem to be getting a really negative vibe for members of some of the so called - big 6 house that is not fair (JMO based on the experience of many girls I know there now).

Girls in the big 6 are just as academically capable as girls in other sororities (and the comment about being on academica probation - which house is on academic probation? I don't know of one, Just checked the Dean of Students Grade report and the lowest big 6 gpa is a 3.3).

Girls in other sororities can act like idiots and embarrass themselves and their houses too, that's certainly not limited to big 6 girls.

True sisterhood can be found in ALL the houses at UT. Every house is going to have people who get involved and people who just show up for chapter dinner and parties.

Who is slamming others to make themselves appear better?

Lifelong bonds are happening in big 6 houses too, and their retention rates are just fine from what I know.

And, there can be backstabbing and drama in ALL the houses. I mean come on - you've got a house of 200 girls - there's going to be drama~

Anyway - back to lurking.

Carnation - the comment from your friend about having 3 boys - AMEN!! LOL

^^ All this! Like! Just as one shouldn't automatically think negatively about a girl in a so-called "lesser house", the same goes for automatically thinking someone is a snob/mean/drama/drunk for being in a "popular house".

Just us sitting here calling it the "big-6" is further carrying on a ridiculous stereotype. End it now! It kinda makes me barf a little in my mouth...

[utkdce]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

Just us sitting here calling it the "big-6" is further carrying on a ridiculous stereotype. End it now! It kinda makes me barf a little in my mouth...

Hahaha! So funny...and so true! End it now!

[Eightisgreat]

I was not "picking on Big 6 houses" but bringing forth that for some girls the Big 6 Houses are the only perfect choice just because they are Big 6. I feel confident that sisterhood can be found in the Big 6, but I was bringing attention to all the other houses at UT who the article even failed to mention as if sisterhood at UT was only viable at 1/3 of the houses on campus.

This is a post on a message board about greek life. The Texas Monthly article not only has mass readership, it also had afluent readership and a this article has been a mainstay for tiering UT sororities. This article basically has a cult following. It justifies to many people why they should go to UT recruitment with a very closed mind. It also is why many girls are shocked to find that not all Big 6 houses or any other houses can never achieve perfection. It is not logical, but the article makes them think perfection is behind all that brick and stone and that if they drive a BMW and wear a gold bangle then a bid belongs to them.

srmom.....There is big six right now that is on "social restriction" right now for grades. This restriction keeps them from having mixers and any social activies durning the week so that the girls focus on academics. And as far as slamming goes. It happens. House songs about the "fat" sorority, the "dumb" girls, etc....rude to the point that some pledges feel uncomfortable singing these songs...especially when they target suitemates, roommates and hall mates.

My whole point was never to pit Big 6 against the rest of UT. It was to say that TM, in my opinion, has an obligation to write a new piece on UT greek life that highlights the positive side of all houses and doesn't put 6 houses on a silver platter.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Eightisgreat

I was not "picking on someone else's idea of top sororities at UT" but bringing forth that for some girls the chapters that are someone else's idea of top sororities at UT are the only perfect choice just because they are someone else's idea of the top sororities at UT. I feel confident that sisterhood can be found in someone else's idea of top sororities at UT, but I was bringing attention to all the other houses at UT who the article even failed to mention as if sisterhood at UT was only viable at 1/3 of the houses on campus.

This is a post on a message board about greek life. The Texas Monthly article not only has mass readership, it also had afluent readership and a this article has been a mainstay for tiering UT sororities. This article basically has a cult following. It justifies to many people why they should go to UT recruitment with a very closed mind. It also is why many girls are shocked to find that not all the chapters of someone else's idea of top sororities at UT or any other houses can never achieve perfection. It is not logical, but the article makes them think perfection is behind all that brick and stone and that if they drive a BMW and wear a gold bangle then a bid belongs to them.

srmom.....There is one of the chapters that is someone else's idea of a top sorority at UT right now that is on "social restriction" right now for grades. This restriction keeps them from having mixers and any social activies durning the week so that the girls focus on academics. And as far as slamming goes. It happens. House songs about the "fat" sorority, the "dumb" girls, etc....rude to the point that some pledges fell uncomfortable singing these songs...especially when they target suitemates, roommates and hall mates.

My whole point was never to pit someone else's idea of top sororities at UT against the rest of UT. It was to say that TM, in my opinion, has an obligation to write a new piece on UT greek life that highlights the positive side of all houses and doesn't put someone else's idea of top sororities at UT on a silver platter.

Fixed your post for you...

[Eightisgreat]

Haha...thanks!

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Eightisgreat

House songs about the "fat" sorority, the "dumb" girls, etc....rude to the point that some pledges feel uncomfortable singing these songs...especially when they target suitemates, roommates and hall mates.

[Eightisgreat]

Sad right? A real bind for a sweet girl who wants to do the right thing and stand up to the majority of sisterhood who thinks it is ok.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by Eightisgreat

I was not "picking on Big 6 houses" but bringing forth that for some girls the Big 6 Houses are the only perfect choice just because they are Big 6. I feel confident that sisterhood can be found in the Big 6, but I was bringing attention to all the other houses at UT who the article even failed to mention as if sisterhood at UT was only viable at 1/3 of the houses on campus.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the point of article about the Big 6 isn't about sisterhood. It's about social prestige.

[Ladybugmom]

Just got my copy of Prudence Mackintosh's book "Just as We Were, a Narrow Slice of Texas Womanhood" and surprisingly it is published by University of Texas Press. Hmmmm