Not sure if I should start looking at other houses or not

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DTD Alum

There are some points here that I find really confusing ("living in the house for the past year" despite not being an active, multiple semesters of pledgeship before initiation), but maybe it's a different campus culture or something.

I was confused by the term "neophyte," too. I've only heard that term in an NPHC context.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I was confused by the term "neophyte," too. I've only heard that term in an NPHC context.

Some groups still use it to mean "completed pledging but not yet initiated." If they have to make grades before being officially initiated, it would make sense.

And if any parent tried to make a donation before their son/daughter was initiated, I think I'd want that particular pledge gone as soon as possible. It's inappropriate unless the parent has an additional tie to the GLO. Cookies yes, renovating the yard of what I'm assuming is a very large mansion EFF NO. It just smacks of trying to buy your way in.

[Jayzzz]

Wow, this thread really blew up.

I wasn't trying to come off as a douchbag, and I'm not really sure where I'm coming off as bragging? I'm aware that my old house doesn't want me, I'm not trying to make a case for trying to get back in or anything, I just provided the back story to get everyone up to speed - I think you all might be looking into it a little too much.

Somethings to clear up:
Neophyte - member who completes pledgeship with an above 60% chapter vote for initiation but fails to make grades.
This is also at a Big 12 school
Parents of new members were encouraged to get involved with the house. The houses front yard was completely empty when I moved in, so my family donated flowers, plot trees, mulch, and other gardening stuff which my pledge class then planted as a project.

If there's anything else I can clarify let me know.

What I wanted to find out is if other houses would even look at me if I rushed again, which would be this next Spring semester, or next Fall when I'm a Junior. I know that I need to pull my GPA up, and its looking good so far this semester. Over the summer I'll be retaking a couple courses I did badly in my freshman year and getting their grades replaced, so I should have a 3.0 or above by the start of next fall.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Jayzzz

Wow, this thread really blew up.

I wasn't trying to come off as a douchbag, and I'm not really sure where I'm coming off as bragging? I'm aware that my old house doesn't want me, I'm not trying to make a case for trying to get back in or anything, I just provided the back story to get everyone up to speed - I think you all might be looking into it a little too much.

Somethings to clear up:
Neophyte - member who completes pledgeship with an above 60% chapter vote for initiation but fails to make grades.
This is also at a Big 12 school
Parents of new members were encouraged to get involved with the house. The houses front yard was completely empty when I moved in, so my family donated flowers, plot trees, mulch, and other gardening stuff which my pledge class then planted as a project.

If there's anything else I can clarify let me know.

What I wanted to find out is if other houses would even look at me if I rushed again, which would be this next Spring semester, or next Fall when I'm a Junior. I know that I need to pull my GPA up, and its looking good so far this semester. Over the summer I'll be retaking a couple courses I did badly in my freshman year and getting their grades replaced, so I should have a 3.0 or above by the start of next fall.

One risk of a detailed post to provide all the backstory is that the question you care about gets lost. When all was said and done, I read your post as asking whether you should stick with this fraternity or try a different one because you are, as you said, on the fence about it.

No one here can tell you whether all of this will matter to other chapters. The culture of every campus is different—on some it will matter and in others it might not. It also might matter how the fraternity you pledged is viewed; if they're seen as a chapter that doesn't treat pledges fairly, your situation might play differently from if they're seen as a great group of guys. There are just too many variables. If you have any friends whom you can trust in other chapters, they can give you the best guidance.

Good luck!

[33girl]

Sciencewoman - the chapter you advise is also (I'm guessing) not going to re-vote on NMs before they are initiated. That makes the situation a little different. I still think LARGE monetary donations are inappropriate.