Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[H0NEY1987]

I am a cofounder of a local organization. Before comitting myself and others to joining my sorority, I was told to take a wise look at other existing organizations. My campus is fairly moderate in size, with just 3npc groups, one service sorority and seven fraternities, a person in my situation felt that another organization could be beneficial to campus. The effort it takes to submit a request, petition, and gain status as a colony of another organization takes alot more time, nearly a full academic year, before granted status as a recognized chapter. Not to mention the paper work, but I had to make sure the already exsisted organization would fit me personally, even after I learned its history, ideals, and other important things. I would have needed approval from current members of the local ifc and other requirements. At the time the idea of beginning a new group altogether, with a purpose i personally knew fit my idea of greek life seemed very appealing. with encouragement from other students and close friends i pursued the second route. as my group developed more, i enjoyed the activities we perform and i prefer to maintain membership in this organization rather than to be absorbed into a larger group. While i know many offer the possibility to organizie chapters based on previous happenings of the local chapter, i know many nationals have guidelines, and some may not fit with the way my organization is run. Now that i learn more about other sororities that remind me of my own sorority, i can understand how it may appear newer organizations are not needed, but i know what i love about my sisterhood, and i dont feel like i could ever achieve that level in any other organization.

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

I'm just wondering why people feel the need to create SOOO many of their own frats/sorors. It seems like there are tons and I almost feel like the whole point of having a Greek letter org is to have something that is expanded and national and creates a cohesive efforts and connection among its members. There are just so many out there that really serve very similar purposes. I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to. Reading all of these threads I see that there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of Greek letter orgs and it seems slightly redundant at this point to continue to create them when we're not strengthening the ones that are already existing. They have hundreds of years of tradition, but still every pledge class or new addition of members can add something special and important. So, I'm asking for input from those who have started their own orgs or those who might understand the plethora of Greek letter orgs and those who might have similar questions!

Thanks =)

The responsibility of strengthening existing organizations does not fall on the individuals who wish to start their own. Instead of questioning "why so many?" maybe your time would be better spent coming up with ways to strengthen Phi Mu.

I agree with fsuzeta. There's room for all of us.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by H0NEY1987

The effort it takes to submit a request, petition, and gain status as a colony of another organization takes alot more time, nearly a full academic year, before granted status as a recognized chapter. Not to mention the paper work, but I had to make sure the already exsisted organization would fit me personally, even after I learned its history, ideals, and other important things. I would have needed approval from current members of the local ifc and other requirements.

I think this is the main reason for rampant founderitis. Attracting an established organization and founding a colony takes a lot of work, time, blood, sweat and tears. In far too many cases, it's easier to just start your own organization than to pursue one for...say...four years (like me) and longer for a number of people on GC.

As H0NEY1987 also mentioned, her group didn't want to be restricted by the rules of a national organization. While this is understandable, colleges and universities are beginning to measure all of their campus Greeks against the rules and regulations of national organizations. So, I foresee that many locals will either have to disband or fall in line in the very near future, if it hasn't already taken place.

In response to the thread in general, I believe everyone who has posted thus far has given great reasons for the abundance of Greek organizations. We just have to wait it out and see which organizations stand the test of time.

We also have to remember that Greek life has gone through some phases and movements, which is why you see lots of younger Latin, Asian and multicultural GLOs today. Just as it was in the beginning with NPC, some of these organzations will not make it and some have already disbanded.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'd say that the niche or need of an organization that behaved in a way they believed they could condone and be part of was not being met -- otherwise they'd have stayed loyal Dekes.

But you say tomato, I say tomahto -- either perhaps misses the main point I was trying to make. That main point was this: Even 170 years ago, any time a new fraternity or sorority started on a campus that already had an existing one, the same question that PhiMu_Gator posed could be asked -- why start a new organization instead of just joining (or being part of) what's already there?

DKE is not part of the Union Triad; it was founded at Yale. The Union Triad is Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi.

MysticCat...i always enjoy your precise and well thought out posts!

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Ever since the founding of Kappa Alpha Society in 1825, students have formed new GLOs. Some have survived, some haven't, and some have merged with other groups.

I think we will see organization closures and merging amongst some of the newer orgs after they encounter some of the general issues that well established orgs have/had such as funding, lawsuits, and maintaining a steady membership of devoted members.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

I think we will see organization closures and merging amongst some of the newer orgs after they encounter some of the general issues that well established orgs have/had such as funding, lawsuits, and maintaining a steady membership of devoted members.

That's almost inevitable. Who knows...we may not always have 26 NPCs! Some NPCs have folded in the past so nothing is certain.

[PANTHERTEKE]

I do agree that there is an abundance of Greek orgs- especially the Mutlicultural, Asian, Latin, etc.

I understand the argument that they fit a niche on certain campuses, but I think it'll be interesting to see where all these newer orgs that were founded in 1980s on up are 50 years from now.

Most of these orgs were founded because their founders didn't feel at home with a "mainstream" historically White fraternity or sorority.

But what will happen when their "niche" starts to subside and you have, for example, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th generation Asians/Hispanics/South-Asians/etc who are assimilated and don't feel the need to stick to an organization that promotes their culture? Will these organizations eventually die off, or will they stick around and continue to serve their purpose and niche?

Take for example my school, FIU, that has about 39,000 students of which about 58% are Hispanic. You would think that the Latin fraternties/sororities- like the Lambdas, LTA, LUL, SLG, etc- would be huge at such a school, but actually that's not the case. The majority of people in IFC/PC groups are Hispanic and the demographics of the school reflect upon the demographics of Greeks, maybe because the Hispanics that grow up in S.Florida (where most FIU students are from) are 2nd, 3rd generation and grew up with a more "assimilated" lifestyle than in other hispanic parts of the country.

So what is my point? Eventually, as the generations pass and America changes, the niche of a lot of these orgs will diminish and people will need more reasons besides "oh I'm [insert ethnicity here] so I'm going to join a [insert ethnicity here] fraternity" to join these orgs.

Didn't mean to hijack, but its just something to think about.

[CULater]

well, to give credit, a lot of our chapters have just started to be founded in the past 5-10 years, and they are slowly expanding.

As far as 2nd-5th generation, you only have to look at the # of asian/latin fraternities and sororities in California to see that people are still joining by the droves. LTA's biggest line (29) was UCLA (spring 2008), and I know personally asian sororities in cali get soooo many girls to rush, bids, pledge, etc.

so, who knows, I agree it will be interesting 50 years from now where we all are...

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

I do agree that there is an abundance of Greek orgs- especially the Mutlicultural, Asian, Latin, etc.

I understand the argument that they fit a niche on certain campuses, but I think it'll be interesting to see where all these newer orgs that were founded in 1980s on up are 50 years from now.

Most of these orgs were founded because their founders didn't feel at home with a "mainstream" historically White fraternity or sorority.

But what will happen when their "niche" starts to subside and you have, for example, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th generation Asians/Hispanics/South-Asians/etc who are assimilated and don't feel the need to stick to an organization that promotes their culture? Will these organizations eventually die off, or will they stick around and continue to serve their purpose and niche?

Take for example my school, FIU, that has about 39,000 students of which about 58% are Hispanic. You would think that the Latin fraternties/sororities- like the Lambdas, LTA, LUL, SLG, etc- would be huge at such a school, but actually that's not the case. The majority of people in IFC/PC groups are Hispanic and the demographics of the school reflect upon the demographics of Greeks, maybe because the Hispanics that grow up in S.Florida (where most FIU students are from) are 2nd, 3rd generation and grew up with a more "assimilated" lifestyle than in other hispanic parts of the country.

So what is my point? Eventually, as the generations pass and America changes, the niche of a lot of these orgs will diminish and people will need more reasons besides "oh I'm [insert ethnicity here] so I'm going to join a [insert ethnicity here] fraternity" to join these orgs.

Didn't mean to hijack, but its just something to think about.

i don't think you hijacked at all and i appreciate your perspective on this topic.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

I understand the argument that they fit a niche on certain campuses, but I think it'll be interesting to see where all these newer orgs that were founded in 1980s on up are 50 years from now.

I too am looking to see what 50 years down the line looks like.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Most of these orgs were founded because their founders didn't feel at home with a "mainstream" historically White fraternity or sorority.

I would say that this is only partially. I think it has played a significant part in the foundings of organizations. Wanting something that supports/emphasizes your culture also plays a part.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

But what will happen when their "niche" starts to subside and you have, for example, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th generation Asians/Hispanics/South-Asians/etc who are assimilated and don't feel the need to stick to an organization that promotes their culture? Will these organizations eventually die off, or will they stick around and continue to serve their purpose and niche?

I don't have the numbers (I'm not even sure if this research has even been done), but I would argue the majority of people in culture specific orgs are not first generation Asians/Hispanics, etc, but in fact 2nd+ generation.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Take for example my school, FIU, that has about 39,000 students of which about 58% are Hispanic. You would think that the Latin fraternties/sororities- like the Lambdas, LTA, LUL, SLG, etc- would be huge at such a school, but actually that's not the case. The majority of people in IFC/PC groups are Hispanic and the demographics of the school reflect upon the demographics of Greeks

This would occur anywhere where the vast majority of the population of a college/university were all of X ethinicity. An NIC/NPC organization at an HBCU would predominantly African-American as the population of the university plays a huge role in membership in ANY GLO on campus. I don't think it should be a surprise that IFC/PC membership at FIU has a significant latino population if that is the majority of the school's population.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

maybe because the Hispanics that grow up in S.Florida (where most FIU students are from) are 2nd, 3rd generation and grew up with a more "assimilated" lifestyle than in other hispanic parts of the country.

I haven't been to S. FLA in a while, but I (personally) wouldn't say S. Floridian latinos are more "assimilated". But there are also degrees of assimilation (IMO), so it could be that we are thinking of different things.

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

So what is my point? Eventually, as the generations pass and America changes, the niche of a lot of these orgs will diminish and people will need more reasons besides "oh I'm [insert ethnicity here] so I'm going to join a [insert ethnicity here] fraternity" to join these orgs.

It seems like you are demeaning or downplaying people's decision/the way they make their decision to join a particular GLO. That's like me assuming you said "I'm Hispanic, but assimilated, so I will join an IFC org". That's an uniformed assumption.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

Eventually, as the generations pass and America changes, the niche of a lot of these orgs will diminish and people will need more reasons besides "oh I'm [insert ethnicity here] so I'm going to join a [insert ethnicity here] fraternity" to join these orgs.

I would hope that no one joins any organization solely based on their race or ethnicity. I realize that you've stated these organizations do not have a strong presence on your campus, but maybe you misunderstand what they're about?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by PANTHERTEKE

You would think that the Latin fraternties/sororities- like the Lambdas, LTA, LUL, SLG, etc- would be huge at such a school, but actually that's not the case.

One thing to remember here is that these organizations tend to be a lot smaller than NPC/IFC orgs by design. The size of a particular chapter doesn't necessarily indicate the actual interest on that campus. For instance, we have chapters that consistently have a pool of 50+ interests, but we can afford to be uber-selective and end up with lines of 6-10.

You also have to consider that the internal culture of Latin/Asian/Multicultural orgs is different from that of NPC/IFC or even NPHC. You can't get the multicultural Greek experience in an NPC/IFC group.

[33girl]

I don't think that PhiMu_Gator is referring to the 26 NPCs. Rather, I think she means the people that preciousjeni was addressing in this thread - those with rampant "founder-itis." (And I am rolling at the "what not to do.")

Oh, and also, "all the sororities/fraternities rejected me" is not a good reason to start a new one. GLOs have to have desirable members to compete with the other groups on campus. It's one thing to start a group when you've been through rush and didn't like the materialism, or the hazing, or simply that there were only 2 groups to pick from and you want another choice. It's another to make a whole group full of rejects.

[preciousjeni]

An alert came through on e-mail that BabyPiNK_FL had made a comment. I guess she deleted it. But, for the record, I didn't take the comments by PANTHERTEKE as an insult nor am I "throwing things." That was a crazy comment, so I'm glad it was deleted.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I would hope that no one joins any organization solely based on their race or ethnicity.

Yep, it isn't just race or ethnicity because I've never had an aspirant say "...because I'M BLACK...DUH!!!" in an interview. That wouldn't go over well.

At the same time, race and ethnicity of the majority of aspirants and members will always be a big factor. That is a huge compotent of why we were founded, all that we have accomplished, and much of what we continue to do.

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

I realize that you've stated these organizations do not have a strong presence on your campus, but maybe you misunderstand what they're about?

Exactly.

And, no, I do not believe that race or ethnicity will ever be UNimportant in America nor do I want the niche that BGLOs and MCGLOs fill to go away. As long as people realize that race or ethnicity don't have to "disappear" for it to no longer have negative implications.