Joining another sorority after 2 years

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BadCat25

This whole situation reminds me of the stories of vindictive college coaches who restrict the ability of college athletes to transfer to other schools. In one case I remember the coach said the athlete couldn't transfer to any school closer than an 8 hr drive from his school. These coaches have received tons of bad press on this issue.

This is apples and elephants.

Originally Posted by DGTess

I think a factor, perhaps small, perhaps not, is the lexicon. The system is not reminding women they've taken a PLEDGE. The word PLEDGE implies so much more than "new member" in terms of commitment.

A-friggin-men. I feel the same way about getting rid of the word "suicide" and pretending that "recruitment" isn't really still "rush." And not to get on a tangent, but referring to your pledges as "baby [fill in the mascot]s" doesn't exactly convey to them that they are taking on a LIFETIME RESPONSIBILITY. If anything, it does the opposite - lets them know nothing is expected of them except to look adorable and move on when they outgrow it.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by 33girl

And not to get on a tangent, but referring to your pledges as "baby [fill in the mascot]s" doesn't exactly convey to them that they are taking on a LIFETIME RESPONSIBILITY.

THIS!

It also doesn't convey that this is an honor or a privilege?
I thought we wanted them to be ladies?

[aggiegphi]

Originally Posted by 33girl
And not to get on a tangent, but referring to your pledges as "baby [fill in the mascot]s" doesn't exactly convey to them that they are taking on a LIFETIME RESPONSIBILITY

Originally Posted by HQWest

THIS!

It also doesn't convey that this is an honor or a privilege?
I thought we wanted them to be ladies?

Wholeheartedly agree with both of you. That has turned into one of my biggest pet-peeves; especially considering they are women (I've never heard of fraternities doing this) who will become the leaders of their chapter, and maybe even officers/leaders in the larger organization one day.

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by 33girl

A-friggin-men. I feel the same way about getting rid of the word "suicide" and pretending that "recruitment" isn't really still "rush." And not to get on a tangent, but referring to your pledges as "baby [fill in the mascot]s" doesn't exactly convey to them that they are taking on a LIFETIME RESPONSIBILITY. If anything, it does the opposite - lets them know nothing is expected of them except to look adorable and move on when they outgrow it.

I agree. By trying to go PC and get rid of words that have bad connotations, it would appear that some of the ideas have been lost. Mainly I feel this with "pledge". I also feel like most of the PC terms are pointless. Oregon changed "Greek Life" to "Fraternity and Sorority Life" because first term had bad connotations with it. Does it really change anything? No. Does using the terms, rush, pledge, or suicide change the fact that some people will haze or have PNMs SIP? No. It will still happen. Does New Member really carry over the idea that a person is pledging an organization?

[Jen]

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

I agree. By trying to go PC and get rid of words that have bad connotations, it would appear that some of the ideas have been lost. Mainly I feel this with "pledge". I also feel like most of the PC terms are pointless. Oregon changed "Greek Life" to "Fraternity and Sorority Life" because first term had bad connotations with it. Does it really change anything? No. Does using the terms, rush, pledge, or suicide change the fact that some people will haze or have PNMs SIP? No. It will still happen. Does New Member really carry over the idea that a person is pledging an organization?

I still use the old terms. They make SENSE. I think by dumbing down and PCing the lexicon, you've got a lot of people who really don't get the responsibility anymore. My biggest pet peeve is all the PC language that often takes 5 words to say what 1 did.

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by Jen

I still use the old terms. They make SENSE. I think by dumbing down and PCing the lexicon, you've got a lot of people who really don't get the responsibility anymore. My biggest pet peeve is all the PC language that often takes 5 words to say what 1 did.

George Carlin did a bit about how shell shock became post traumatic stress disorder and how it has diminished the intensity of what it is by adding syllables.

And I still use the old terms as my little way of fighting the stupitude. When we can't let anyone's feelings get hurt or reward people for being better at something, it makes everyone worse. Why CAN'T we distinguish the pledges as being less than the initiated members? Why can't it be seen as an accomplishment to make it through? Why can't the process be seen as something wholly different from a job interview or college entrance? I don't like the baby this or baby that thing either, but I think it's better than the concept that the pledges have the same member status as the woman who has been a member for 50 years. And on that tangent, I wish we'd go back to the pledges having to actually pass a test to gain full membership. Maybe then we could ask the question, can you join another sorority ever ever in your whole life even if you move to another school? It still wouldn't solve some of the girls who refuse to not be stupid, but it would solve some of it.