Minorities in 'white' frats/sororities

[starang21]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Bwahahahahaha! I really do like ya starang!

[CarolinaDG]

Originally posted by jwoods9
I have noticed that there is an emphasis for those interested in NPC/IFC to pledge their freshman year...sophomore the latest....

Although there are some NPHC/NALFO/NMGC members who pledge their freshman year, most seem to take their time to get familiar with their university and the GLOs themselves.

I didn't attend my first information session until my junior year, which is also the same year that I pledged. By that time I was familiar with the GLOs on my campus and even those at other schools.

The internet wasn't as prevalent when I was in school. Most GLOs did not have websites at that time, but we learned about GLOs by word of mouth of family, friends, Meet the Greeks, etc.

I had friends that were NPC/IFC, Deltas, Zetas, AKA, Sigmas, Ques, SGRho, OPC, CUS, LTA, LTP, LUL, LSU, MSU, PSP, etc. etc. etc. and continued being friends with them even after I chose the organization that was right for me.

Omega Phi Chi was actually the only GLO I looked into further because it was the right one for me. All the other GLOs are excellent, but the one I chose was the right one for me.

My roommate from Freshman year was a legacy (honestly, I can't remember which one... I think Delta) so she wanted to go through her sophomore year. The nice thing about it was that she always hung out with the Zetas (went to parties, etc...) so she knew the girls already. Another friend of mine is a junior this year, and went through last year. She was completely committed to AKA (she looks so cute in her pink! She even bought the pink tennis shoes!!!) and knew people before going through. I rushed as a sophomore, and I think that is one of the things that I loved about doing it... I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into. I mean, not to down the way NPC does it, but I'm glad I went through the way I did... knowing girls and reputations. It's interesting that NPC groups don't want sophomores and up. Honestly, I'm not really sure why, except that it would've been nice for me to have an extra year... I probably would've ran for office on sorority council and held a larger position on Dance Marathon... I guess that's why we do it the way we do.

[preciousjeni]

Does anyone know if the NPC has ever discussed reviewing the tradition (or is it a policy) of taking freshmen as a majority? If these sororities took women all the way through senior year, it might promote the idea of membership for a lifetime. I understand that, for the way NPC sororities work, it would be best to take mostly freshmen to keep the chapter running properly. But if it weren't such a challenge for juniors and seniors to join, they - especially seniors - would still be barely out of their first year euphoria and would surely make wonderful alumnae association members!

[tiger1547]

I would like to say that i am an African American in a mostly white sorority. We also have a handful of Asians. I found that I was worried about race and sometimes i still wonder but I think if you like the girls it doesn't matter. As for the rest of the sororities on campus they are the same way. I don't understand why there are not more minorities in NPC. I think that it may be because we are unsure if we will be acepted and how our friends will react to joining a group unlike ourselves.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Does anyone know if the NPC has ever discussed reviewing the tradition (or is it a policy) of taking freshmen as a majority?

I haven't seen any official policy statements, but a number of organizations have published articles in their magazines that talk about the changing face of university students - how many first year students are older, more ethnically diverse, and come from different financial circumstances than the so-called "traditional" college student. In an article I read, the writer stressed that we should look at all potential new members equally.

[Sistermadly]

I wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to all the members of the D9 who took the time to answer my questions.

[roqueemae]

None to the rest of us?

[tunatartare]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
Does anyone know if the NPC has ever discussed reviewing the tradition (or is it a policy) of taking freshmen as a majority? If these sororities took women all the way through senior year, it might promote the idea of membership for a lifetime. I understand that, for the way NPC sororities work, it would be best to take mostly freshmen to keep the chapter running properly. But if it weren't such a challenge for juniors and seniors to join, they - especially seniors - would still be barely out of their first year euphoria and would surely make wonderful alumnae association members!

This past year when I was Rho Chi, we had a senior go through recruitment and she got a bid to her second choice house that she was happy with and she accepted. A few weeks later, I ran into her on campus and she told me that she dropped out of the sorority because she had a large course load and she lived off campus and she didn't have enough time for it.

[33girl]

Everyone who's saying "NPCs only want freshmen" or "freshmen are a majority" - THIS IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOT TRUE.

It may be the case at schools like LSU, Texas, etc - schools where Greek life is huge and there are tons and tons of girls going through. But those schools are becoming fewer and farther between. At many many MANY schools, your class standing really doesn't matter. At some schools you can't even rush until you are a sophomore - so it obviously isn't a policy for any sorority.

I don't deny that there are schools where it's hard for an upperclassman to get a bid, but there are just as many where juniors and seniors rush and get bids with no problem. If you're at one of the latter and don't get a bid, maybe it's you, not your class status. Sorry to be blunt, but it's the truth.

[preciousjeni]

If these sororities took women all the way through senior year, it might promote the idea of membership for a lifetime.

Oops! I just re-read my post and I'm guilty. I should have said something more like "If these sororities, on each campus, embraced women all the way through senior year..." I know that NPCs don't just take freshmen and that this is a well-distributed myth. So, my apologies!!!

[KSUViolet06]

My org actually published an article in the Fall 2004 issue of our magazine about realizing that most PNM's are NOT typical 18 year old, white, middle class freshmen anymore.

I think my school has done a good job with getting upperclassmen. Of our 140 or so rushees, only maybe 40% of those were freshmen. The majority were sophomores and juniors. We also had quite a few junior and senior transfers who had a few years left in school. They all ended up with their 1st or 2nd choice.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

My org actually published an article in the Fall 2004 issue of our magazine about realizing that most PNM's are NOT typical 18 year old, white, middle class freshmen anymore.

I think my school has done a good job with getting upperclassmen. Of our 140 or so rushees, only maybe 40% of those were freshmen. The majority were sophomores and juniors. We also had quite a few junior and senior transfers who had a few years left in school. They all ended up with their 1st or 2nd choice.

Middle class is typical for you?

[taurus0426]

I know I guess I'm too self concuious (sp?) I've been called a sellout many times throughout my life so I couldnt help but wonder.

And the only people who matter to me are my fam since they're gonna be helping me with dues. But I think they would rather me be happy wherever I feel right at....who knows what'll happen?

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by taurus0426

I know I guess I'm too self concuious (sp?) I've been called a sellout many times throughout my life so I couldnt help but wonder.

And the only people who matter to me are my fam since they're gonna be helping me with dues. But I think they would rather me be happy wherever I feel right at....who knows what'll happen?

Why were you called a sell out? Because you didn't "act black" enough maybe?

Look, IGNORANT people are the ones who think others are "sellouts" because they don't hang out with the other Black students, they join an NIC/NPC org, have mostly white friends, etc.

Don't pay attention to the opinions of the less intelligent. As you said, the only people that matter are your family. As long as you feel comfortable wherever you end up, then it's all that matters.

I know Black members of predominantly Hispanic IFC/NPC chapters (I'm at FIU... in Miami lol). And although some people may think "Oh, it's different because the majority of the chapters are Hispanic and not White," it really isn't. The Black members are still the "minority" in their chapters but they feel a sense of belonging and love their brothers or sisters.

And at the same time, most of these Black IFC/NPC members I can't seem to picture in an NPHC org. Some Black people just wouldn't fit in or feel at home in a historically Black GLO the same way that some White people wouldn't feel at home in a WGLO and the same way I wouldn't feel at home in a LGLO.

It really is no big deal, IMHO.

I hope you are able to make the best decision for you, and don't forget to not pay attention to the people trying to bring you down.

[taurus0426]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Why were you called a sell out? Because you didn't "act black" enough maybe?

Look, IGNORANT people are the ones who think others are "sellouts" because they don't hang out with the other Black students, they join an NIC/NPC org, have mostly white friends, etc.

Don't pay attention to the opinions of the less intelligent. As you said, the only people that matter are your family. As long as you feel comfortable wherever you end up, then it's all that matters.

I know Black members of predominantly Hispanic IFC/NPC chapters (I'm at FIU... in Miami lol). And although some people may think "Oh, it's different because the majority of the chapters are Hispanic and not White," it really isn't. The Black members are still the "minority" in their chapters but they feel a sense of belonging and love their brothers or sisters.

And at the same time, most of these Black IFC/NPC members I can't seem to picture in an NPHC org. Some Black people just wouldn't fit in or feel at home in a historically Black GLO the same way that some White people wouldn't feel at home in a WGLO and the same way I wouldn't feel at home in a LGLO.

It really is no big deal, IMHO.

I hope you are able to make the best decision for you, and don't forget to not pay attention to the people trying to bring you down.

I really like two NPCs at my school so I might rush them not sure of pledging but my heart is reallly set on one NPHC. I havent met any of them yet so I'll give them all fair chances.

And the people who think I would be out of place is my own fam....NPHC members but I really think it's beacuse of their old school mentality. They arent racist but have a strong rooted belief that the D9 is the only thing "we" have that blacks founded and dominated for the last 100+ years and the traditon is dying out if my generation goes NPC. But times are changing....

This sounds like that blood purity thing I read in Harry Potter!