Greek Decline

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by dardenr
1) Make an impression on parents. Volunteer during move-in and parents weekend and wear your letters. By making a connection with parents and family members, one will leave a positive impression on the people who are most likely paying the tuition. Supportive families will have less doubts about the child seeking membership should they divulge their interest.

When I was a G.A., I contacted parents that I suspected knew little about the greek system. And it was an eye opener for me regarding parental ignorance... But it may have been a California thang rather than the parental ignorance thang...

Big universities do not have "official" move in dates. However, there are other avenues we can use to get noticed on day 1...

2) Set the standard of maturity on your campus. Be ladies and gentlemen. Don't fight. Don't smoke weed. Drink responsibly.

I am not gonna touch that one as a former GA...

3) Get involved in the Black Student Alliance and NAACP and MEAN IT! Don't join because you want to increase the visibility of your org and outshine another...do it because you care. Just as we tell aspirants that you will find Greeks if you do community service, we will find aspirants in the same place.

I agree 1908%. Even as a graduate student, I participated in the African American Student groups left and right. When the young folks got to see me and summa the old heads too, many of their perspectives totally changed regarding BGLO's. They got to know me and they got to see a totally different side. The side many young folks ain't too interested in seeing... But that's okay... It gives good press anyways...

4) Cooperate with your administration. Work with your local grad chapter or advisor and get your administrators invited to grad chapter events. If an administrator sees that you are reaching out to them, and they understand the lifetime committment, maybe they will sympathize when the chapter enters lean times.

In light of circumstances for several D9 organizations, there may be a manditory requirement for the participation... In fact, when many of the elder BGLO's showed up respectfully dressed with a nice lapel pins on, a lot of the professors that showed up knew elders from other activities... Then the college officials started putting 2 and 2 together...

5) Smile every once in a while. Life isn't that bad.

6) Be a sister or a brother to ALL sisters and brothers. Not everyone wants to join your organization, sometimes they're just trying to read what's on your jacket.

We grad ads from various orgs compare notes often... When a young person asks us about another org, hey I got over it and got them in touch with that respective rep...

7) Write a press release EVERY SINGLE TIME you have an event and submit it to the campus newspaper.

8) Make sure that you appear in the yearbook!

9) Keep your website updated at least once a month.

And be nice to your GA and give them the materials to keep the info updated... Cuz that stuh has to be submitted to the headquarters for our international's to keep the tax-exemption status with the government...

10) Minority Student Weekends. Nearly every non-HBCU has one of these. Make sure your brothers and sisters AT LEAST volunteer their dorm rooms for prospective students at these events. If that's not possible, throw a party, have a yard show, or do some kind of event during those weekends to entertain the prospectives. That not only leaves a positive impression of your org, but the school. More people of color at the school, the bigger the pool of candidates.

YOU ARE AN OUTGOING MEMBER!!! YOU ARE ON THE BALL!!! KEEP IT UP!!!

Just wanted to offer some solutions since this could easily become a blame game.

I concur 1908%

[miss priss]

I think all of the points stated on this board are true...
1.Money
2. Suspension/expulsion
3. Pettiness, etc.

are most of the main reasons why men/women may not be interested in membership. Educational commitments (such as a persons with "difficult" majors) is questionable. But then again it depends on an individuals' sense of dedication and commitment to their goals.

However, I think the big question is how to change the outlook and perspective(s) of the BGLO community to maintain its relevance in the Afro-American community. I agree with dardenr who made one of the most prolific statements in this forum which is "Get Involved...and Mean It!" In hindsight, I feel like maybe this is an issue that we ALL need to address---BGLO members and non-greeks as well. In the AA community, alot of the things are on the decline: the way we address health issues, the togetherness of the Black family, and we as a "thriving" community. The "Greek Decline" is only a mere product of what is surfacing in the Black community. Our ability to maintain the spirit of communalism has been a major part of our culture;our problem is our inability to maintain it.

As Blackwatch would say"and like that I'm gone" Peace.(BTW, where are u?)

[lovelyivy84]

It seems like the tendency in this thread is for members to argue with interests and non-members who state their opinions.

If you think that their opinions on why Greek Life is declining are wrong, then why don't you tell us what the real reasons are? I think that a lot of the reasons listed are perfectly valid - on the math/science tip for one- I knew an individual at one University who was pre-med, pledged and wasn't able to be pre-med noooo more. THis was a good, smart guy and after that happened to him people on campus in those majors took a long, hard look at BGLOs and generally stepped back.

I know a NUMBER of individuals who pledged and dang near dropped out of school because of the grade situation. It would be one thing if these were isolated incidents, but I have seen it happen repeatedly. There is merit to a lot of these opinions and I feel like members are dismissing them because they don't want to see it.

I went Greek and had a good time doing it, but for all the times I saw unity, trust and sisterhood/brotherhood I saw just as many ugly attitudes, one-upmanship and disrespect of interests. While it is TRUE that we already have our letters and need not cater to them, a certain level of respect should just be a given to ANYONE you come in contact with, as another human being. We certainly do not need to let them take advantage to us, but it is not hard to smile and be cordial when asked about your org.

I love being in an org I consider elite, but I dislike the snobbery and middle class morality that is all too widespread (and completely unacknowledged) within the D9. I don't think many members intend for it to, but it DOES come across as though we think that having letters makes us better and while in the past we could get away with that attitude (because of the economic lines in the orgs, because of the social castes within the HBCU system, where almost all college-educated African Americans had to go) it is a new day and old attitudes have to go.

There is a BIG difference between confidence and arrogance and while a 20 year old college student might be expected to get the two confused, a grown ass man or woman with duties and responsibilities needs to know that difference and be VERY aware of where they fall on that line.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by lovelyivy84
I know a NUMBER of individuals who pledged and dang near dropped out of school because of the grade situation. It would be one thing if these were isolated incidents, but I have seen it happen repeatedly. There is merit to a lot of these opinions and I feel like members are dismissing them because they don't want to see it.

Yeah, that happens. It happens ESPECIALLY if you come to the table with say a 2.5 or lower. It's EASIER to be on the verge of dropping out if you are already barely "hanging in there" without any additional external factors to consider. That's why it is ULTRA important to have your chit together BEFORE you decide to pursue membership, so if ANYthing happens, your grades may slip, but you are not on the verge of dropping out. Academics is and always has been and will be important.


I don't see it. I don't see it, because there are those who overcame the grade issue, the major issue, the money issue etc. I'm with Soror AKAMonet on what she said earlier. SOME can get Gucci this, Prada that, ride around in big time vehicles on campus, etc. but want to claim NO MONEY to join an organization...Come on now. That is another issue in and of itself (priorities, etc) So, no I cannot see it, because ANYTHING IS possible. IT CAN BE DONE. It takes HARD WORK and it is not going to be given freely because some may think they are ENTITLED to it.

[pointNclick]

I agree with you 100% on this.

And for me, that is all I focus on. "What" are they doing once they become a member as opposed to "how" they became a member. IMHO, if folks remained active after they joined, we would have no need for this particular thread.

pNc

Originally posted by dardenr
People join when the time is right for them.

I don't care when anybody joins as long as they remain active whenever they join.

[Sahara]

I noticed that many people commented about the bad attitudes or actions of some of the BGLO members. Though this is true, if someone really wanted to be in that org, I doubt they would let the actions of a few determine how they feel as the org as a whole. Even as an undergrad with little knowledge about greek life, I knew that there were both grad and undergrad members. As someone else stated, this is a lifetime committment, not just a club to join while an undergrad.

As an interest, I have seen my share of snobbiness (NOT just from AKAs). I have also been targeted by a negative someone who was in the sorority I wanted to join. I simply looked at it as an obstacle to overcome. I would NEVER let the actions of a few determine how I felt about the sorority as a whole. I knew too much about AKA to do that.

If an interest does allow his/her opinion to change based solely on the actions of a few, rumors, attitudes, or whatever he/she doesn't really need to be in that org. They simply don't have what it takes.

That's just MHO

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by Sahara
I noticed that many people commented about the bad attitudes or actions of some of the BGLO members. Though this is true, if someone really wanted to be in that org, I doubt they would let the actions of a few determine how they feel as the org as a whole. Even as an undergrad with little knowledge about greek life, I knew that there were both grad and undergrad members. As someone else stated, this is a lifetime committment, not just a club to join while an undergrad.

As an interest, I have seen my share of snobbiness (NOT just from AKAs). I have also been targeted by a negative someone who was in the sorority I wanted to join. I simply looked at it as an obstacle to overcome. I would NEVER let the actions of a few determine how I felt about the sorority as a whole. I knew too much about AKA to do that.

If an interest does allow his/her opinion to change based solely on the actions of a few, rumors, attitudes, or whatever he/she doesn't really need to be in that org. They simply don't have what it takes.

That's just MHO

Well said, Sahara!! I agree wholeheartedly!

[markmywords]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91


I don't see it. I don't see it, because there are those who overcame the grade issue, the major issue, the money issue etc. I'm with Soror AKAMonet on what she said earlier. SOME can get Gucci this, Prada that, ride around in big time vehicles on campus, etc. but want to claim NO MONEY to join an organization...Come on now. That is another issue in and of itself (priorities, etc) So, no I cannot see it, because ANYTHING IS possible. IT CAN BE DONE. It takes HARD WORK and it is not going to be given freely because some may think they are ENTITLED to it.

I guess I'll add my two cents now. I don't think people feel entitled to membership I think that people just don't care anymore. When the first eight orgs were started there was a need for black unity to survive. Now black people are finding other avenues to align themselves with and find sister/brotherhood. Even starting their own orgs. Some people want a more global approach that includes other races. Some people are sick of the greek infighting. Who wants to come into an organization and be permanently outcast for not participating in an illegal process even though they work hard for their organization. Who wants to deal w/ other 18-21 year-olds who think that they can belittle u b/c you are interested in their org. Especially when they get the excuse "well it was done to me"

In the new millenium people are finding their own way. That doesn't mean for me that the nine orgs are irrelevant, but that may mean that the old ways of doing this may need to be reevaluated. But it seems as soon as someone question anything the nine does then the members get defensive saying "well you aren't a member so you don't know anything." What I do know is that each org is a part of black history and I'd like to see them continue. But for any group to progress it needs to be open to criticism so that it can keep growing and progessing. Unless that is they are comfortable w/ decline or wish to become more social and intimate like the girlfriends, drifters, or noreasters. If that's the case then this is a none issue.

[sphinxpoet]

Good Topic:

Seven Reasons why there is a decline

1) Too many NPHC Chapters talk bad about each other amongst non-greeks

In the areas I attend it seems like the students who are not in BGLOs know more about the issues then some of the members do i.e. "This org gets no respect" Blah Blah Blah. Remember keep business within the Family.

2) Programs Programs Programs

We fail to advertise what we do the same way we advertise our parties and stepshows. For years my chapter would have 500 or so people come to our parties but if we were lucky 15 Bros coming to a Project Alpha. And the community programs sometimes take more work than the parties.

3) History History History

Take a moment to be proud and knowledgeable of your history. You would be amazed how many people are impressed by your knowledge of your organization. That means more than knowing the founders and who was what president but real substance such as voter campaigns and different things such as that.

4) The Process

We can sit here and debate till the Apes come home about the process and what it should be but I think we can agree that the intake process lacks something. Work internally to improve it within our own organizations.

5) Para and Suit Day

Take 1 day out of the week that is Para day and just for whatever reason start something in the Middle of the Student Quad. A stepoff, a chant challenge or something.

6) Be clear

Make sure to remind everyone that your organization is not for everyone - Keep the mystery alive in why certain people join ABCD.

7) Learn to Have fun

Sure we are in this for different reasons but we must remember that we are in this for Brother and Sister hood. What is wrong with me hanging out with Frat and Sorors and other greeks - Road trip to another School and party till somebody says "You ain't gotta go home but you gots to get the heck up outta here!"

Solutions for a simple world LOL
Sphinxpoet

[allsmiles_22]

Our orgs have never been perfect, yet they have maintained coming up on 100 years. All of a sudden people aren't interested? Ahhh no. There are people showing up at rush and there are reject letters going out.

I think part of the problem is the quality of interests. The new generation isn't what it used to be. We are in this era of instant gratification and they've got a different mind frame. I wonder if we had an open meeting during which interests could come and just pay to be a member, how huge would our orgs be? Similar to the Black Caucus and NAACP on campus, membership would be great in the beginning, but decrease as time went on. No one wants to work to get in and no one wants to be dedicated to attending meetings and planning programs, community service and social events afterwards.

"We lack luster, we aren't active enough, we are stuck up, we haze", etc. Are these assumptions regional or everywhere? The negatives on GC isn't indicative of what our orgs are really doing to me. The Ivy Leaf is always showing Sorors reaching the goals of AKA. Call me biased, but it isn't entirely the shortcomings of our organizations.

In regards to darnder's suggestions, that was the situation on my campus with the exception of 2 and 8. With that said, this doesn't mean there wasn't BGLO drama. If there was personal drama before one was greek, drama in other student orgs, and drama in class, why wouldn't one expect drama to flow over to greek orgs-undergrad and grad? All the drama on my campus wasn't going to deter me from becoming a member of AKA. I can see all the bad and GOOD things I would have missed out on if I had let the petty things get in my way.

[sleepy]

I feel the reason why is because who wants to be hazed or pledge against in a rude way. Then people in the organization want to pretend as if they are better. I won't say the whole organization because its not everyone but it is a handful of you all out their that have crossed over and all of a sudded its I am better than you. A lot of people also know that it costs money to plegde. I don't mind giving money because our black people needed it to keep their organization going but you can't forget that everyone has problems with money and cant afford $500.00 and up. Then instead of having an open heart to non-greeks you want to look down on them and say well you did this wrong and you don't stand for this. Have you forgotten that they are your future. When they see how nasty people for organizations act it makes them not want to pledge because who wants to be apart of something like that.

[sigmadiva]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Yeah, that happens. It happens ESPECIALLY if you come to the table with say a 2.5 or lower. It's EASIER to be on the verge of dropping out if you are already barely "hanging in there" without any additional external factors to consider. That's why it is ULTRA important to have your chit together BEFORE you decide to pursue membership, so if ANYthing happens, your grades may slip, but you are not on the verge of dropping out. Academics is and always has been and will be important.

I agree with this, but I would like to add, and this is not directed at any org in particular, that membership intake programs should not cause your grades to fall. Yes, it does take a bit more dedication, organization and hard work to join any GLO as compared to say a student government group or your major's club, because in a GLO you have to know and understand the importance of your org. Actually, I know of a few people who joined GLOs and their grades went up because they had to manage their time better. And, alot of the orgs give scholarships to members with high academic achievements so go for that 4.0 = free money!!!!

[enlightenment06]

[i]
Folks got money to goto those dances. Folks got money to pay for dem clothes... Folks got money to do they thang... So, dayum, when did they decide they ain't got no money, now? [/B]

Basically.

[MDE]

I feel that Greek Lige is not on the decline. Becoming Greek is soooo important to me and I don't feel that any of the D9 orgs are "declining"...just that society is changing.

Much of the allure and mystery is fading because you have members who aren't discrete, who don't represent in the best manner possible, and who will tell you priviledged information as if it were their first name. I've seen it froms frats to sororities-D9 and otherwise. This madness has to stop. But that aside, because there's only a small % of Greeks who do that, we interests ultimately have to keep it real and step up to the plate or step aside.

I think at the core of many of these excuses lies a major theme: PURE LAZINESS!! That's due in part to our society's microwave mentality: Get it hot, get it fast, get in now, lose interest after 5 minutes. Folks don't want to work hard for anything anymore and what's worse is that they honestly feel that this mentality is okay.

So let's not even focus on these individuals. I'm sure the members don't want you in their orgs and I know I don't want your lazy bum dragging beside me while I'm trying to get mine. There are ladies and gentleman out there who will work hard to save for membership/intake fees, who will study harder to get & maintain the grades they need. So, a lot of these replies from my fellow interests are simply excuses. It kinda makes me mad....

[enlightenment06]

Yeah the whole "my major is too time consuming" thing doesn't cut it. I have peeps in my chapter who were engineers, who played division 1 sports and who had children. And ain't none of us millionaires either.