Minorities in 'white' frats/sororities

[33girl]

Originally posted by PrettyKittieJ
Of course I had to put my now deserved 19.25 in.

As an African- American female (and Native American) I can see the many points that people are making and so many of them are relevant to the way that my school works.

BUT with my school also being in the South I think that there is more discrimination in the NPC so you usually dont see alot of minorities trying to join their organizations.

I also dont understand, no offense to the NPC ladies here - how your system works. I dont get how it is fair to pay a fee, pick 3 and then hope you get the one you want?

I pledge my frat (Co-Ed) b/c I researched it and found that I could honestly add to the organization and grow within it. And whatdoyaknow - my first semester as a brother and already I am holding a position.

So if an NPC lady would like to explain to me the progress more in depth I would greatly appreciate it....

But my frat is awesomely diverse - men and women from all different creeds who are also members of the NPC, NPHC and IFC - so we are kind of like a big melting pot and I enjoy that!

Alpha Phi Omega can't even enter into a discussion of NPC OR NPHC membership policies - mainly because we do not have selective membership. Anyone who wants to pursue brotherhood can. Not everyone succeeds, but the fact is that it's pretty hard to deny someone membership for intangible reasons (unless they are obviously divisive to the chapter).

NPC rush fees are often under $20 - if they are more, they include on campus housing for the days of rush. The reason a nominal fee is charged is to prevent people from going through rush who have no intention of pledging or are there just to rip apart the Greek system. Why should the sorority women have to waste their time with people like that?

I'm sure that there are ladies interested in NPHC who have put in as much, if not MORE, in terms of time and also money (for appropriate clothes for interest meeting) pursuing the org they want as any fee charged for NPC rush activities. And they might never make it either. I just feel like you're saying "NPC rush is a ripoff" and that is not true.

[PrettyKittieJ]

I dont know why you would feel that I was saying that the NPC was a rip off when I clearly stated that I didnt understand and someone has already responded to my question with an appropriate answer.

In no way was I comparing my organization to those of the NPC, IFC or NPHC - I was just saying "this is what I did to find my org - how in this system can you do the same?"

Here the fee for NPC here is NOT $20.00 - its like $50.00.

As for NPHC - you spend the money for one specific organization (well most do) everything you do is in preparation for ONE organization and all your money goes to that ONE organization -

So basically in the end to respond to you - I was not attacking NPC - I wanted someone to explain to me how it worked b/c I didnt understand and it wasnt something I PERSONALLY could have been comfortable with - I wanted to see someone elses view on the matter and that has been done. Now I understand and I still find it disturbing - but then again thats why its not for me, but I definetely give props to those who go thru it and found the home and sisterly love that they wanted and needed.

[sambadoll]

I just wanted to put in my comment of alpha phi omega, that I feel that no matter how much 'research' you try to do, I find it hard to choose a sorority based on what you can find by what other people say, or stats on their membership and fundraising. Choosiing a house is so incredibly personal, I know for me personally, I can't see anything other than how I feel when I'm with the sisters as influencing my decision. I never quite understood how someone could choose a house before you even met them.
It's like choosing a boyfriend. He can have tons of money or hard working, but doesnt mean he's right for you till you see each other for a bit.

I suppose the question is what is research? Not just alpha phi omega, either, bc I've seen this on the rush forums before so I'm curious.

And can some one please text me and help me on how to create a signature?

[PrettyKittieJ]

Originally posted by sambadoll
I just wanted to put in my comment of alpha phi omega, that I feel that no matter how much 'research' you try to do, I find it hard to choose a sorority based on what you can find by what other people say, or stats on their membership and fundraising. Choosiing a house is so incredibly personal, I know for me personally, I can't see anything other than how I feel when I'm with the sisters as influencing my decision. I never quite understood how someone could choose a house before you even met them.
It's like choosing a boyfriend. He can have tons of money or hard working, but doesnt mean he's right for you till you see each other for a bit.

I guess thats another difference then - this whole house thing. I looked at the organization as a whole - and you are completely right - every chapter at every school is different - BUT - I looked at what the organization had done over the years at my school - what the organization does sectional, regionally and nationally. That is what was important to me. Once I realized that the ideals and principles that the frat was founded upon was something that was already in my everday life - I joined the brothers for a few events and decided to pledge - I guess its pretty much the same way you do it - but we dont have a house - - -

[33girl]

Originally posted by sambadoll
I just wanted to put in my comment of alpha phi omega, that I feel that no matter how much 'research' you try to do, I find it hard to choose a sorority based on what you can find by what other people say, or stats on their membership and fundraising. Choosiing a house is so incredibly personal, I know for me personally, I can't see anything other than how I feel when I'm with the sisters as influencing my decision. I never quite understood how someone could choose a house before you even met them.
It's like choosing a boyfriend. He can have tons of money or hard working, but doesnt mean he's right for you till you see each other for a bit.

I think you just answered PrettyKittieJ's question.

PKJ - sorry if that sounded harsher than intended - but the fee for rush doesn't guarantee anything and that is stated right up front. The experience of rush itself is what you are paying for. I don't know what exactly goes into that $50 or how many houses are involved, so it's hard to tell if that's low or high.

And yes - in NPHC everything is for ONE org - but my point was that for some ladies they never make it into that ONE org.

I think that part of the reason more emphasis is placed on getting along with the women in THAT SPECIFIC CHAPTER in NPC is because you usually have to live with them at some point. I didn't pick my group for its philanthropy or national rep, I picked it because those were the women I felt the most comfortable with and who I thought I could give the most to and vice versa.

[sigtau305]

Originally posted by sambadoll
I never quite understood how someone could choose a house before you even met them.

Sometimes you can't. anyone can say " I want to be a part of ABC or XYZ" Fraternity/ Sorority". I've know a few friends of mine that has done that type of scenerio. that's why it's always good to get the information and also visit a house you're interested in before you make up your mind about which one you want to rush.

[kddani]

The money that goes towards paying for recruitment pays for things like:
drinks and snacks for break times
supplies- everything from rush booklets, bid bubble sheets, money towards paying for the software, personal supplies that Rho Chis carry (tampons, kleenex, tylenol, etc. etc)
rental fees if a shuttle is needed, or if a room has to be paid for
etc. etc.

Panhel isn't making a profit off of rush!

[CarolinaDG]

Thank you KDDani, I was about to clarify that myself.

The thing is, I know that I did research different sororities before I went through. I knew that ZTA's philanthropy was Susan G. Komen and that they held Big Man on Campus every year. I knew that the KD's worked with Girl Scouts and the Chi O's had a wing-eating contest Make-A-Wish. I also knew someone in almost every sorority. The thing is, as much as I knew and thought that ABC sorority was where I wanted to go (they were founded on a few things that I really cared about), I was most comfortable in the Delta Gamma room with those girls. And I still am, even though I have friends in all different sororities. I think we're trying to compare apples to oranges here. I personally like the idea of keeping your options open until you're completely sure where you're comfortable, but I understand the thought that you should be completely committed to the sorority or fraternity that you want to pledge before pledging. BUT both systems are different, and that's the beauty of neither of them being purely white or black anymore... you can be a part of either system that you feel more comfortable with.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by sambadoll
I just wanted to put in my comment of alpha phi omega, that I feel that no matter how much 'research' you try to do, I find it hard to choose a sorority based on what you can find by what other people say, or stats on their membership and fundraising. Choosiing a house is so incredibly personal, I know for me personally, I can't see anything other than how I feel when I'm with the sisters as influencing my decision. I never quite understood how someone could choose a house before you even met them.
It's like choosing a boyfriend. He can have tons of money or hard working, but doesnt mean he's right for you till you see each other for a bit.

I suppose the question is what is research? Not just alpha phi omega, either, bc I've seen this on the rush forums before so I'm curious.

And can some one please text me and help me on how to create a signature?

Well maybe I can help you understand the NPHC thing a little more. We aren't just joining a chapter, I understand that this is the same in the NPC but it's a different mindset, and most of us know and respect the national body as a whole. The chapter is our means of introduction and entry into the organization. We don't have houses, for the most part, so living with one another is not really a concern. Getting along with one another and being able to work with various types of women is important to us though so yes some of us may be turned off by the chapter but very few of us would let that stop us from pursuing the national body which we are committed to forever (if you are thinking along very traditional lines in the NPHC).

[soror_hopeful]

Originally posted by CarolinaDG
Thank you KDDani, I was about to clarify that myself.

The thing is, I know that I did research different sororities before I went through. I knew that ZTA's philanthropy was Susan G. Komen and that they held Big Man on Campus every year. I knew that the KD's worked with Girl Scouts and the Chi O's had a wing-eating contest Make-A-Wish. I also knew someone in almost every sorority. The thing is, as much as I knew and thought that ABC sorority was where I wanted to go (they were founded on a few things that I really cared about), I was most comfortable in the Delta Gamma room with those girls. And I still am, even though I have friends in all different sororities. I think we're trying to compare apples to oranges here. I personally like the idea of keeping your options open until you're completely sure where you're comfortable, but I understand the thought that you should be completely committed to the sorority or fraternity that you want to pledge before pledging. BUT both systems are different, and that's the beauty of neither of them being purely white or black anymore... you can be a part of either system that you feel more comfortable with.

Very well said!! That is exactly how i feel now that i am currently researching and trying to get to know the sororities i am in interested in...you cant just look at something this important as a black and white issue or rather rush is 10 or 50 dollars. in the end none of that matters as long you are apart of something that you feel you are very comfortable in and as long as you love it you need not to denfend your decison to anyone......thats just how i feel anyway

[roqueemae]

I tell girls who are going through Recruitment that even if they do not get a/the house that they want, sisterhood is what they make of it. They are happy because this house wanted them. I don't think I have had a girl go through Recruitment saying that they want a house for its national policies/philanthropy/reputation. Once in a while one will say things like
I like pink so I want to be a Phi Mu
My mom was a KD so I want to be a KD
I feel strongly about St Jude's so I want DDD
But usually their decision is based on mutual compatibility.

Our $30 application fee goes to buy supplies for the woman's shelter after all of the bills are paid.

I would have been so scared to participate in recruitment if I had known that it was for one sorority and in an all or nothing scenario. I also know that is something that you are either comfotable with or not. I know girls whose rush is that way can't see why I would want a bid "for the sake of just being in a sorority"

[CarolinaDG]

Oh my gosh, that's so funny!!! The most common thing that I heard when I was going through was, "Hey *Becky* you'd look so cute in pearls, you should go KD!"

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by roqueemae

I would have been so scared to participate in recruitment if I had known that it was for one sorority and in an all or nothing scenario.

Again I think it's just a different mindset. Since we don't rush the same way to start with there is no expectation that all of the applicants will make it. In fact there's a fair expectation that upwards of seventy percent (at least) of the applicants won't be accepted during any period an NPHC sorority is having intake. Folks are welcome to reapply numerous times on the undergrad and graduate level but membership is not ever promised, not to say it is during NPC rush but hell you have a better shot at it really. While I can say that I understand that all sororities do good work and are somewhat the same I couldn't honestly say that if we had a similar process I would have been happy taking a bid from anyone BUT Delta. As a matter of fact, I ignored my legacy status in all of the other NPHC sororities (mom, sister and stepmom) to pursue JUST the ONE I wanted. Was it scarey? Not really because I knew after looking into the organization it was where I wanted to be period.

[jwoods9]

I want to co-sign the previous entry...we also "rush" differently than NPC. We have various Soirees (Information Sessions) throughout the semester, not just during a 1 week period in the beginning of each semester.

We encourage ladies to attend information sessions with different organizations, in order to learn more about what is available. We have interest groups at each school so they get to know the sisters and each other better.

We have events with our interest group including community service, girl's night in, fundraising events, etc. Sometimes girls stay in the interest group for a few semesters until they are ready to pledge.

Also, just because a girl joins our interest group, doesn't mean she has to pledge for our organization. Maybe along the way, she find another GLO that she prefers or maybe she just doesn't end up pledging at all.

In addition to that, ladies do not have to be a part of our interest group in order to pledge.

Another co-sign to the above entry is the fact that we do keep close ties with all of our chapters. We aren't just a member at one school. We are a very close-knit organization and visit and support all of our sisters from all chapters, if possible. Not only that, but our pledge classes from our chapters are close and create a huge network of support for one another.

O-O-P-C...."Whiskers!!!"

[NutBrnHair]

I have to share that even 25 years ago...at the small, Southern, Baptist, liberal arts school that I attended...we had 4 NPC groups & 2 NPHC groups -- On the first day of NPC Rush, each of the NPHC groups made a presentation to all of the rushees. None of the groups were racially diverse, but we had a better understanding & sense of mutual respect which started, for me, from those presentations.

I think I understand some of the differences in the NPHC vs. NPC groups. I certainly have a great respect & admiration for the alumnae involvement of NPHCs -- all you have to do is look at the #s of women who attend their national meetings. If you've ever been in a hotel, like I was one time with an AKA meeting...you'd know what I mean. The show of unity & pride in their organization is amazing. (And these comments are coming from a Chi Omega who witnessed the largest gathering of any NPC group at our Convention this summer.)