Interested in AI

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Well, there's probably some ground between the haphazard sharing of the NPC and the oddly silent (in my opinion) stance of the NPHC.

The problem is it's not consistent across the board, except for the fact that in most cases women seeking AI would have to be disappointed once they went through the process. It just seems that no matter how many times we say it, women don't get that alumnae membership is just not the same as collegiate membership.

But you're right that if a woman is interested in AI in a particular NPC sorority, she should find a member in real life, or via private message here, and ask a specific question. A woman seeking AI into Chi O in Arkansas is going to get a much different answer than a, say, DPhiE in California. Which of course is in no way saying she would have a better chance into one versus the other. Just that the dynamics would be different.

Regarding the sentence in bold above: Why assume that a woman interested in AI is at all interested in a collegiate experience? Or that she isn't aware of the difference? Not picking on you DubaiSis, just asking the question generally. As an alumna initiate, I can be a bit salty about the way AI inquiries are handled here on GC. I admit that. But I really don't understand why there is always an assumption that women interested in AI are, as Katmandu put it, "trying to re-live your college days." That's not at all what I was looking for, and certainly not what I wanted! I have no desire to act like I'm in college or to be treated as if I were in college. I have no desire to erase my college experience or in any way diminish the choices that I made in college. They were the right choices for me and I have zero regrets or desire to change them.

I do, however, enjoy the friendships and opportunities afforded to me by my alumnae membership. I enjoy the ability to mentor and coach as an advisor. I enjoy the opportunity to meet women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60s, 70, 80s and 90s who all have some common bond. I enjoy the ability to volunteer on various levels within an international organization. I enjoy knowing that I am part of an organization with deep historical roots, and being able to participate in the ritual that reflects those roots. I wanted an alumna experience. Not a collegiate experience.

This thread isn't about me, of course. But I truly wish that GC could move beyond this assumption that everyone interested in AI wants a "do-over" on their college years. Perhaps it is true for some. But it does us all a disservice to make that assumption for all.