Indiana University Recruitment 2020

[PGD-GRAD]

It’s still that damned “pairing BS” that causes much of constant tier hysteria. From the start of school so much drama and comparisons are drawn over who is paired whom at Homecoming, Little 5 and various other events.
Sororities actually seem to gain self worth by being asked by “top tier” fraternities and disparage other sororities who get “leftover” fraternities. Fraternities, likewise, brag during rush about hanging out with “top tier” girls. It’s NUTS!

All it would take would be Greek Life saying: “No. We are drawing for pairs this year. And if you get the same house for two events, you re-draw.” ONE YEAR and then it would be the new normal. Sure...there would be bitching, but it’s certainly worth a try. Something has to change.


(IndianaSigKap might weigh in...perhaps my view is too simplistic.)

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by PGD-GRAD

It’s still that damned “pairing BS” that causes much of constant tier hysteria. From the start of school so much drama and comparisons are drawn over who is paired whom at Homecoming, Little 5 and various other events.
Sororities actually seem to gain self worth by being asked by “top tier” fraternities and disparage other sororities who get “leftover” fraternities. Fraternities, likewise, brag during rush about hanging out with “top tier” girls. It’s NUTS!

All it would take would be Greek Life saying: “No. We are drawing for pairs this year. And if you get the same house for two events, you re-draw.” ONE YEAR and then it would be the new normal. Sure...there would be bitching, but it’s certainly worth a try. Something has to change.


(IndianaSigKap might weigh in...perhaps my view is too simplistic.)

I can't see "forced pairs" working. What happens when you pair the Academic house with the Animal house? Like minded sororities pair with like minded fraternities. Plus, these days the risks are too great to associate with people you don't have an established friendship with.

If you want to break down the barriers you need events which allow all the greek houses to mingle. Something like a greek week or block party. Close down Jordan. Hire some bands/Djs. The administration won't allow it because they are trying to tone down the IU party reputation.

[APhi2KD]

Originally Posted by Rod D

I can't see "forced pairs" working. What happens when you pair the Academic house with the Animal house? Like minded sororities pair with like minded fraternities. Plus, these days the risks are too great to associate with people you don't have an established friendship with.

Works well at my daughter’s school.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Rod D

I can't see "forced pairs" working. What happens when you pair the Academic house with the Animal house? Like minded sororities pair with like minded fraternities. Plus, these days the risks are too great to associate with people you don't have an established friendship with.

If you want to break down the barriers you need events which allow all the greek houses to mingle. Something like a greek week or block party. Close down Jordan. Hire some bands/Djs. The administration won't allow it because they are trying to tone down the IU party reputation.

It’s building a float and/or working on a race, not being married. I don’t think anyone is saying that long established connections between specific fraternities and sororities will vanish, but if it’s to the point when Fantastic Fraternity won’t even respond to an overture from So-So Sorority (or vice versa) it flies in the face of all the claims about Greek life being a great way to meet all different kinds of people.

And the only “risk” nowadays is being 80 feet up the ass of a group and being left high and dry when their charter gets pulled.

Plus I don’t know the last time you were at a block party, but people hang out with the people they know. They certainly don’t all get in a circle and sing Kum Ba Yah.

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It’s building a float and/or working on a race, not being married. I don’t think anyone is saying that long established connections between specific fraternities and sororities will vanish, but if it’s to the point when Fantastic Fraternity won’t even respond to an overture from So-So Sorority (or vice versa) it flies in the face of all the claims about Greek life being a great way to meet all different kinds of people.

And the only “risk” nowadays is being 80 feet up the ass of a group and being left high and dry when their charter gets pulled.

Plus I don’t know the last time you were at a block party, but people hang out with the people they know. They certainly don’t all get in a circle and sing Kum Ba Yah.

Not sure when the last time IU greeks built floats. But a large event allows the dude from ABC who knows the girl in XYZ to introduce some of his brothers to some of her sisters in passing. It could be 5 mins or 25 mins of conversation, but it begins to break down the barriers. Then the overture isn't a "cold call" but a follow up and the ice has been broken.

[BUDelta4Life]

Originally Posted by 33girl

It’s building a float and/or working on a race, not being married. I don’t think anyone is saying that long established connections between specific fraternities and sororities will vanish, but if it’s to the point when Fantastic Fraternity won’t even respond to an overture from So-So Sorority (or vice versa) it flies in the face of all the claims about Greek life being a great way to meet all different kinds of people.

And the only “risk” nowadays is being 80 feet up the ass of a group and being left high and dry when their charter gets pulled.

Plus I don’t know the last time you were at a block party, but people hang out with the people they know. They certainly don’t all get in a circle and sing Kum Ba Yah.

Agreed. Random rotating pairs for campus events works at many other campuses across the country of all sizes. It does a lot to lessen the stigma of perceived "reputation." In some campuses, the student government association even throws dorms into the mix of pairs so that the entire campus gets to meet new people. I also agree with the idea that IU should start having random pairs for philanthropy or volunteer events; it would allow them to ease into the idea. And, I know on some campuses where the Greek houses have regular open all-campus philanthropy events (such as an ice-cream social fundraiser for their philanthropy on a random Wednesday night) and everyone turns out for it, it goes a long way to breaking down perceived differences and tiers.

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by BUDelta4Life

Agreed. Random rotating pairs for campus events works at many other campuses across the country of all sizes. It does a lot to lessen the stigma of perceived "reputation." In some campuses, the student government association even throws dorms into the mix of pairs so that the entire campus gets to meet new people. I also agree with the idea that IU should start having random pairs for philanthropy or volunteer events; it would allow them to ease into the idea. And, I know on some campuses where the Greek houses have regular open all-campus philanthropy events (such as an ice-cream social fundraiser for their philanthropy on a random Wednesday night) and everyone turns out for it, it goes a long way to breaking down perceived differences and tiers.

The IU system doesn't have a lot of single paired events like that. IU pairs are primarily social -- homecoming, little 500, and weekend parties.

[GreekOne]

Originally Posted by Rod D

The IU system doesn't have a lot of single paired events like that. IU pairs are primarily social -- homecoming, little 500, and weekend parties.

Just because they don't have these types of events now does not mean they couldn't start them. There are lots of ways to build better relationships within IU's Greek community. Acknowledging the status quo isn't ideal is the first step to moving new ideas forward.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

Just because they don't have these types of events now does not mean they couldn't start them. There are lots of ways to build better relationships within IU's Greek community. Acknowledging the status quo isn't ideal is the first step to moving new ideas forward.

AMEN!!!

[Rod D]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

Just because they don't have these types of events now does not mean they couldn't start them. There are lots of ways to build better relationships within IU's Greek community. Acknowledging the status quo isn't ideal is the first step to moving new ideas forward.

But now you all are talking about adding an additional step -- new events, so random pairs can be made. That's fine. But it isn't as easy, just because it works somewhere else.

[BUDelta4Life]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

Just because they don't have these types of events now does not mean they couldn't start them. There are lots of ways to build better relationships within IU's Greek community. Acknowledging the status quo isn't ideal is the first step to moving new ideas forward.

Random pairing for homecoming works on many other campuses, big and small. I've talked to friends and colleagues from all different sizes of universities where it is done that way.