UPenn Phi Sig Chapter Disbands - Page 4

shadokat · #46 11-08-2002, 05:50 PM

Back atcha girl

Quote:

Originally posted by MoxieGrrl
I PM'd you, shadokat

bruinaphi · #47 11-08-2002, 08:37 PM

It is my understanding that Sigma Kappa came on after Pi Phi left several years ago but that Phi Sigma Sigma had struggled with image issues for many years at Penn. One of my chapter sister's biological sisters was a Phi Sig at Penn and she deactivated back in the 80's b/c while she really liked the women in the chapter she didn't like the chapter's reputation on campus and could not get the other women in the chapter to work with her to change it. I think her experience sheds some light on what other members may have been experiencing and the struggles of their advisors and national representatives who worked with the chapter.

*LD climbs on soapbox*

For those of the Phi Sigs have posted not so nice things about their national staff and volunteers I challenge you to contact your central office and work with your staff and volunteers to change the things you don't like. Complaining is easy. Effecting change is a challenge. You should never put down a job done by someone else until you've tried to walk in their shoes.

*LD climbs off soapbox with much reluctancy and tons more she really wants to say *

Every Phi Sig I've ever had the opportunity to work with has been a woman of the highest character and for those who have not met any Phi Sigs yet, I hope that the messages posted here will not influence your opinion of an outstanding national organization.

phisigduchesscv · #48 11-09-2002, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IvySpice

An anonymous Penn senior posting on the Daily Pennsylvanian site offered an inside interpretation, which I'll repost below. For what it's worth, this is the same impression I had of Phi Sig...they were the "uncool" house, but were probably better sisters than the "hot" houses.

Ivy

>>I have to agree with "Freshman" here. I didn't rush my freshman year because I thought all sorority girls were bitchy and shallow. Of course I was wrong--there are awesome girls in every house--but there was one house with which I was unconditionally wrong, and that is phi sig, which my roommate was a member of (until she deactivated a few days ago.)

Their sorority was really close (apparently people don't know each other's names in some of the houses!) and the girls were basically model Penn Citizens...they got the GPA award for the highest in the greek system and did lots of community service.

What is really disappointing is what my roommate told me as the main reason the national chapter wanted to kick them out. It wasn't so much low numbers (which they did have a problem with) but it was that the sorority didn't really fit their ideals...the girls weren't "cool" enough. As in, the fact that the sorority was not made up of "Penn Girls" was the REASON they wanted to disband it.

Senior
>>

edit: "Penn Girl" is campus lingo for a rich, skinny Long Island or New Jersey Jew with a perfect tan who isn't particularly studious or nice.

I just had to respond to this post and the comments they copied from the Daily Pennsylvania. Phi Sigma Sigma sorority's Central Office and National Personnel are not shallow and didn't not close the chapter because the women weren't "Penn Girls or cool enough".

Phi Sigma Sigma has as one of its core values Inclusiveness. Which means that Phi Sigma Sigmas are not the stereotypical blonde haired blue eyed size 5 girl who may or may not be a bubble head image that the media wants to perpetuate about anyone in a sorority. Phi Sigs (like all the NPC members) are every color and size of the spectrum of human life. We are fully abled and disabled, representatives from all religions and those that are atheist, smart and maybe not as smart, we are every age imaginable, undergrad and grad students. So for this person to post on the Daily Pennsylvanian website what the roommate (a now possibly disgruntled former Phi Sig) claims about they were shut down due to not fitting the Phi Sigma Sigma image - I would like to ask them "what image is that".

If Phi Sigma Sigma was as shallow as this article makes it out to be then I would never have been offered the bid to become a Founding Sister of the Iota Gamma Chapter. I became a Proud Sister of Phi Sigma Sigma as a 32 year old, graduate student, don't have the perfect tan, am Christian, and am what is considered morbidly obese. My chapter sisters run from Agnostic to Jewish to Wiccan to Christianity to all forms of religion. We are 17 to 37 years old. Freshman to Graduate Students. Single, Single Mothers, Married Women, Married with Children. We have sisters from America representing every race here. In my chapter alone there are sisters from Mexico, Czech Republic, Korea, Africa, Latin and Central America. We range from a size 0 to a size 30 and everything in between. We are 5 foot nothing to 5 foot 10. That is the "ideal" image I know of Phi Sigma Sigma not what the article claims is ideal.

I will take at face value what the second article said as to why Phi Sigma Sigma was reorganizing the chapter. With "around 60" sisters when every other sorority on campus has 100 plus then recruitment was the issue. As a Phi Sig I know that Central Office sets up steps to help us reach numbers (my chapter is going through the process now) and national personnel provides as much assistance as a chapter asks for, including Vision refreshers. If a chapter doesn't ask for assistance or doesn't follow the steps set up by CO to help recruit the quality (not quantity) women then maybe CO felt a reorganization was needed. From what the article said CO offered each of these women the opportunity to be Alumnae (and the opportunity to petition to become active when the chapter starts up again in 2004) and become involved in Phi Sigma Sigma that way - these women turned it down and decided to fully disaffiliate. I personally believe in and follow the saying "Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, Always a Phi Sigma Sigma" these women obviously did not.

Carolyn

KappaTarzan · #49 11-09-2002, 03:21 PM

phisigduchesscv- amazing words. an inspiration, perhaps, to those sisters who felt as though they HAD to disband with the others that wanted to.. maybe just one of them will read it and seek help from nationals in trying to change.

Peaches-n-Cream · #50 11-09-2002, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phisig4eva
I wanted to say a few things:

first of all, phi sig is a compartively young national sorority. we were founded in 1913 for those of you who dont know - i think only SDT was founded after us, though i could be wrong. but the point is we're still learning - i mean, when was phi mu founded, 1850s? kappa, tri delt, dg etc etc all in the late 1800s... we have a lot of catching up to do.

Delta Phi Epsilon is even younger than Phi Sigma Sigma. We were founded in 1917.

On a personal note, most of the Phi Sigma Sigma sisters that I have known have been outstanding women and incredible friends to me.

A neighbor of mine is a student at U Penn. She and her girlfriends went through rush a few years ago as freshmen and none of them got bids. This surprised me since she is a really outstanding bright cute young woman. I thought that she would have had quite a few sororities beating down her door to give her a bid. Unfortunately that soured her on sororities. I think that she didn't want to put herself through that level of rejection again. At the time I thought that there was a problem with rush at Penn. I know that since her unfortunate rush experience, there have been a few changes in greeklife at Penn. My point is maybe the problem isn't just with Phi Sigma Sigma Central Office. I hope that students from Penn can weigh in on this.

33girl · #51 11-09-2002, 05:05 PM

I applaud the Penn Phi Sigs for standing up for the integrity of their chapter. If your national came in and told you they were going to change everything that you love about your chapter, how many of you would accept that without a peep and say "it is for the good of the sorority" and move on? Especially if you are known as, and pride yourself in being, the group that doesn't live up to the stereotypes. They didn't want to be known as Phi Sigma Sigmas if the recolonized house would have been antithetical to everything they stood for.

No chapter failure is the fault of ONE facet of the group. It's the collegiates, alums, national, and the school's greek system COMBINED and not working together in positive ways that do it.

oh, and incidentally, nothing I've said is particular to PSS. It's a problem that happens in every national sorority.

SapphireSphinx9 · #52 11-09-2002, 05:59 PM

I have been thinking about what to say about this ALL night long... Thank you Carolyn for your post, it said a lot that I wanted to say. (and btw, I'm 5'11"!!

)

First and foremost I am going to defend my sorority.

Yes, at times things can get aggravating.
I'm sure everyone has had the thought of dissaffliation run through their head at least once, since they joined their group. I'm not going to lie, I have. But I not only talked about it with sisters, I worked on it. Attitudes have to change, hurt feelings need to be mended, and open minds are needed.
Let's think about it in a "family" setting...
Mom and Dad get angery with Son for some small reason. Son then feels hurt and mad. Son can do one of two things, run away from home, or talk with Mom and Dad about it... (which one sounds more logical to you?)

Yes, C.O. is sometimes very slow with getting through the paperwork...
But our National Officers and Central Office staff are VOLUNTEERS! This is not a job. And with the exception of one paid staff member at C.O., no one else is paid to work for Phi Sigma Sigma!
If you really think about it, they have two "jobs"... One that they do for money (i.e. being a doctor, lawyer, secretary, teacher, etc.) and then one that they do because they LOVE their sorority.
So maybe we need to cut them some slack for right now... They do have a lot on their plate.
(And as for the members that think that National doesn't offer "resources...to build ourselves up" please note that we do have an excellent Vision Program. And also, please note that if you belonged to a local you wouldn't have this; you wouldn't have any of our "resources")

Yes, being a member of Phi Sigma Sigma isn't always looked highly upon by other greeks...
But is that really a reason to join a group? To look good? That's not the reason why probably 99% of Phi Sigs join Phi Sigma Sigma.
We're about Serving. We're about giving to people that don't have. Giving a helping hand whenever we can.
We're about Learning. Learning not only in school, but from each other. Striving for academic excellence, to better the advancement of womanhood!
We're about Inclusiveness. Our Founders were not able to join the same sorority, because of religious differences. So Phi Sigma Sigma was founded with one of our main core values of being Inclusive. Our different backgrounds brings us closer together than anything!

On a personal note, my chapter is the newest Phi Sig Chapter to form. We are at California State University, Dominguez Hills. For those of you who don't know, we are in the immediate area of where the L.A. Riots took place. I mention this because I am a white female at a school where there is 5% caucasian enrollment. I am one of 6 white sisters in a chapter of 30.
I probably would never have felt as welcomed to my campus as I have by becoming a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma. To my knowledge, and I am a Founding Sister, there has NEVER been any racial discord among us and given the climate of the area we are located in, that is absolutely amazing. Coincidence? I think not! It's a testament to the quality of my sorority.

It has been mentioned that some people "admire their bold move to stand up for what they believe in." I feel the exact opposite for the following reasons:

1. What's wrong with helping yourself? Even if National wasn't there for your chapter, which I highly doubt, why couldn't you come up with a solution to the problems? (i.e. ask other chapters, sisters, advisors, even other greeks for help or ideas)

2. Supposedly, "fewer than 20 sisters ultimately did elect to accept alumni status." What about those 20 sisters? These are sisters you lived with, cried with, laughed with, and shared your lives with, what are you saying to them by leaving them in the dust? What, they don't matter now?

3. And finally this should be very familiar to all of the Phi Sigma Sigma sisters...
"Phi Sigma Sigma is a dynamic sisterhood of powerful women fostering uncompromising principles, igniting positive change, and embracing individuality."
What part of this didn't you understand when you joined???
Dynamic, Powerful, Uncompromising, Positive, Individuality. All of those words should jump out at you, but most of all INDIVIDUALITY. It seems to me that most of you followed the "herd" of leadership, that decided to bail out as soon as the going got tough. You should be ashamed of yourselves... Because I'm ashamed of you.

Lastly, to any sister out there that ever needs help, we are here for you. Even though we are small in numbers, we are huge in compassion, friendship, ideas, encouragement and love. Contact the Iota Gamma Chapter anytime you need to!

divkete uyhla

PSLAM!

Fraternally,
Beth Moody

33girl · #53 11-09-2002, 06:43 PM

From reading the articles, it doesn't sound like this is over the national failing to send forms or resources. Yes, that is a pain, but nothing that would cause an intelligent group of women to quit altogether. It was over direction of this chapter.

Quote from the article:
A Phi Sigma Sigma press release attributed the resignation to the local and national organizations' differing views regarding the "future direction of the house," and also noted that "conflicts have arisen over certain policies and values of the national organization."

In other words...the values and aims of Phi Sig meant one thing to the sisters at Penn, and something different to the national council. Like I said before, if you reach that impasse sometimes thre is just nowhere to go.

dphies00 · #54 11-10-2002, 03:30 PM

You know what? If I were i another sorority at Penn - not Phi Sigma Sigma - I would be highly insulted reading this thread.

AngelPhiSig · #55 11-10-2002, 05:01 PM

[QUOTE What my sisters from Iota Gamma said

divkete uyhla
[/QUOTE]

A - fricken - MEN!

For a new chapter you sure are smart!

aprilxo · #56 11-10-2002, 05:41 PM

I can't imagine the degree of it... just everybody in a chapter up and quitting. I think I'd cry if it came down to that here (well, I imagine it was a tough decision for them, too). I don't know the circumstances of the decision so it's impossible for me to understand... all I can say is wow.

And I hope everything turns out for the best in the end (it seems it always does)

MooseGirl · #57 11-10-2002, 06:43 PM

I'm a bit dumbfounded...don't know what to say. As an undergrad there were times when i and a few others thought about leaving, but it was never over values it was basically over dues(and the exchange rate) and it was NEVER a serious thought.

We all love our International (yes, i've just started using Inter...can't forget that we are) personnel and they do care for us. There have been times when we've felt neglected but i know they have at times given us special attention.

And how can one not think things are getting better with programmes like Vision and Chapter Excellence, as well as the creation of a Collegian Advisory Board?

I personally have seen a tremendous change in the central office staff - they now have employees in there that listen to us.

I just do not feel we are getting the full story on either side. perhaps it is better we don't know, but it is a shame that these women who share our ideals and values did not feel they could continue working with our International personnel.

Diokete Hupsala

Jen

breathesgelatin · #58 11-10-2002, 09:35 PM

I've been lurking on this thread for quite some time. I think, probably, as in most things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle--neither the individual chapter or nationals is entirely to blame. Perhaps they both just had poor communication.

But, as a woman in a chapter significantly under total, with a repuation very similar to the one that's been described for Penn's Phi Sig chapter, I can understand where they're coming from.

Think about it: Your chapter has a stellar GPA and service record. You are proud of your diversity and acceptance of lots of different kinds of wonderful women. You've got a strong sisterhood--you know and love your entire chapter. Lots of accomplishments in that area. The only area where you lack is in the social area--you aren't known as "popular" or "pretty". You have trouble making quota and are significantly under total (60 instead of 100 (in my own chapter's case, 50 instead of 80)) However, that's just fine with you. Women who buy into the stereotype and don't want to be a part of your chapter because it's "uncool" probably don't belong there anyway.

Now, nationals comes in. They want you to be at quota/total. (You want to be at total too---only you can't seem to get there because of ugly rumors/stereotyping--many people withdraw from rush rather than join your chapter!). In fact, they want you to remake your image rather to help make total. You may not be opposed to this in whole. Except, they want to shut you down! You feel like you could work on chapter image without this step. You are not so far under quota as to not have a functioning chapter! You do not have only 10 women! You have a large and strong sisterhood. In your mind, you might feel like the real problem is your reputation. You might feel like nationals wants to remake you more like the other groups to get rid of your reputation, rather than focus on the positive things about your chapter (GPA, service, diversity, sisterhood, open-mindedness) to get rid of your reputation. Whether this were true or not, you might be insulted and hurt.

That is the perspective I would take on this issue. I really feel the Penn chapter's pain, because my chapter is so, so similar (although I think our reputation is slowly improving as we do focus on the positives, and we have not been threatened with a shutdown). At the same time, I do not believe that Phi Sig nationals would just abandon a chapter. As 33girl wrote, they just had different visions to improve the chapter. It is possible that is where the misunderstanding occurred.

Wow! this is long!

FuzzieAlum · #59 11-11-2002, 12:35 PM

Look, I don't think ANYONE on this board can know why it really came to this. I haven't seen anything to substantiate that nationals wanted to "make over" the chapter. I think we can safely assume that nationals wanted their numbers up, but since nationals did NOT withdraw the charter, it was NOT national's decision to close them - it was the active sisters' decision. Like someone else pointed out, yes they were smaller than campus average, but non non-functioning small.

For whatever reason, almost all the sisters felt that they no longer wanted to be a part of Phi Sigma Sigma. Whether it was because they felt like they weren't being supported or because of a disagreement over values, none of us will ever know. It probably isn't our business, either.

I wouldn't expect enlightenment. Nationals has probably said all it's going to say. And in my experience, when a chapter says "we aren't getting support," they just don't like the advice they've getting, but they've been getting plenty of help. They're mad because they want to do things the way they always have - which aren't working - and nationals wants them to change to more effective methods. But like I said that's my experience; it may not be what happened here.

I can't lie and say it isn't fun to wonder and speculate about what happened; I just don't want us to make the mistake of thinking that we're somehow going to get to the real truth here.

PhiSigCoco · #60 11-11-2002, 01:33 PM

I too have been lurking...

Quote:

Originally posted by breathesgelatin
Now, nationals comes in. They want you to be at quota/total. (You want to be at total too---only you can't seem to get there because of ugly rumors/stereotyping--many people withdraw from rush rather than join your chapter!). In fact, they want you to remake your image rather to help make total. You may not be opposed to this in whole. Except, they want to shut you down!

The thing is that Central Office has a way to deal with these things, as I am sure all your organizations do. There is a process. In the articles, Central Office states that the chapter was not on a Discipanary Action Plan (our way of dealing with low numbers).

Even when a chapter is on a DAP... like we were last year b/c we had one member in Fall... they give you as much time to rectify the situation as you need. Of course, you need to make some progress every term. But progress can be one member.

On another note:
I am very happy to see the uprising of support for us. It is very encouraging. But simply put, thank you all for your kind words.