Trinity College(CT) - All Greek Orgs Told to Go Co-ed

[tld221]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

When I think about what Greek orgs have that other groups don't, it's actually the membership selection process that seems most distinct.

I agree. Add to that: being part of a larger org. I suppose students who joined clubs like Key Club (Golden Key?), NOW, NCNW or an org that has campus-based affiliations could say the same, but the selection process/criteria stands out/sets us apart.

[badgeguy]

I am seeking any trinity students who may be connected with or knows about the IKA society located at the school.

Please PM me if you know someone or are someone connected with this society,

Thanks
badgeguy

[LaneSig]

Trinity President Decides To Drop Plan To Make Fraternities Coed

"After three years of attempting to carry out a plan forcing fraternities and sororities to go coed, Trinity College's president has decided to abandon that effort.

Joanne Berger-Sweeney, the college's president, said in an email to the college community Friday that after conversations with students, faculty, alumni and others during the 15 months since her appointment, "I have concluded that the coed mandate is unlikely to achieve its intended goal of gender equity." "

http://www.courant.com/news/connecti...904-story.html

[glittergal1985]

That's not what I said. But if you look at it per-capita, this area is well known for having more than its share.

[glittergal1985]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

I repeat, oh, please. You can use faux-empirical language like "per capita," but that doesn't mean this is anything more than your personal opinion. People spoil their kids everywhere. The Northeast is not "well known" for this.

Lol well sorry if I was confusing, the "per capita" comes from the economics major in me. Anyways, as I said this all comes from my own observations. I attended school in Connecticut, and several students from far outside the area (Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Kansas) commented that they perceived the Northeast to be far more materialistic than where they came from. Additionally, since graduation many local friends have scattered throughout the country and say that are much happier living around more down-to-earth people. I myself expect to soon relocate down South, and greatly look forward to being a place where you don't need a shiny rolex watch or hummer to be happy.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

All dorms at Trinity are co-ed. Some floors are single-sex.

Coed dorms =/= coed ROOMS.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

The core of our business is that we are residential associations which offer alternatives to ordinary student life, a degree of exclusivity, superior access to opportunities created by alumni, etc. The residential aspect is where our organizations are able to acquire money to invest back into themselves, etc.

That residential aspect is not true of all fraternities and sororities, or of all campuses, though, so I don't know that that can be considered the "core" of the (social) Greek enterprise.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

That residential aspect is not true of all fraternities and sororities, or of all campuses, though, so I don't know that that can be considered the "core" of the (social) Greek enterprise.

Would it be offensive to say it's the core of traditional Greek enterprise? You'd have to concede, your fraternity comes from a unique vantage.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Would it be offensive to say it's the core of traditional Greek enterprise? You'd have to concede, your fraternity comes from a unique vantage.

Sure, we do have a different vantage point on housing, as relatively few of our chapters are housed and nationally we don't encourage it.

And I wouldn't be offended by someone saying it's the core of the "traditional Greek experience" -- and I'll concede ours is not the "traditional Greek experience" -- but I would probably quibble a bit and ask "whose tradition?" My father was a Kappa Sig whose chapter had no house until he was a senior (and married), and my grandfather and uncle were Betas at a school with lodges but no houses, so none of them ever lived in a chapter house.

There's no doubt that in the minds of many Greeks and non-Greeks, chapter houses are synonymous with Greek life and are part of the "Greek experience" that many students seek. But when I quibble, I'm thinking of things like:

• Fraternities had been around for quite a while before chapter houses became a common feature of fraternity life;
• There are campuses that don't have fraternity and/or sorority housing, even among groups (primarily NIC or NPC) for whom housing is common;
• Even on campuses where houses are common, there are often unhoused chapters of (NIC and NPC) groups*;
• Many if not most housed chapters have members who don't live in house;
• Many housed chapters rent, either from their college or from someone else, so in those cases the housing has nothing to do with providing GLOs with money to re-invest in themselves; and
• Housing is not the norm for NPHC groups.

My quibble is that I don't think housing association aspects of Greek life can be considered "core" if the groups for whom it is common allow and support unhoused chapters. "Core" implies "at the heart of what we're about," so if housing is "core," then unhoused chapters can't live up to what is at the heart of what their orgs are about.

It seems to me that the "core" of the Greek enterprise is brotherhood/sisterhood based on shared allegiance to certain values, principles or ideals. Without a doubt, chapter housing can foster and support that brotherhood or sisterhood. But it can exist without it. That's what I was getting at.


* Granted, these chapters are often working toward housing, but while the lack of housing may affect their competitiveness, does it keep them from fully experiencing brotherhood or sisterhood?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

* Granted, these chapters are often working toward housing, but while the lack of housing may affect their competitiveness, does it keep them from fully experiencing brotherhood or sisterhood?

Speaking from experience, I'd have to say yes. At least for me.