Perception of sororities nationally

[catiebug]

I've been thinking about this thread since I read it last night.

Growing up, I was brought up to believe that XYZ sorority was the end-all and be-all of sororities, both on the local and national level. My mom was not an XYZ, but my grandmother and great-grandmother were (I am not an XYZ), but even mom gushed over XYZ. Both at schools in my hometown and at my alma mater, the XYZ chapter was "top tier." I expected nothing less than for XYZ to be "top tier" at each and every school where they had a chapter.

Imagine my surprise a few years ago when I found out that there had been an XYZ chapter near to where I live now but it had closed down! How could this happen? They were XYZ!!! It made me realize that just because a chapter is strong at some schools, that does not mean all chapters are as strong as others. It really opened my eyes.

Before this, every time I saw an XYZ, I believed they were extra-special in some way, just because they were XYZ (and the XYZs I know are indeed special ladies, but that is not the point I am trying to make here). Now I know that XYZ has chapters that are A-1 at some schools, just as the "bottom tier" (oh, but do I hate that term!) sorority at my alma mater is A-1 somewhere else.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

yes, the article was found in "Texas monthly" years and years ago and was written tongue in cheek, much like the "southern belle primer"-there is probably some truth in what was written, but was meant in jest.

I fully understood that it was meant as humor, but part of all good humor is the element of truth. And in the flow of the entire multi-page discussion, it was not only meant as humorous but that there was a significant amount of truth to it. At least that was the way I read it.

As far as the north/south thing... I find southern rush fascinating. I look forward to reading the recruitment stories each year. And a significant part of what is discussed here is more southern-related. So this thread was in no way a me vs. them thread. I truly find the whole thing very fascinating.

[baci]

I wish I could agree with your experiences, but "top tier" members loved to put it out there that they were "top tier". (at least where I came from) Congratulations to them, but to have to "put it out there" was kind of sad/major turn off. It really brought them down, IMO. Quite possibly, that may have be their immaturity/insecurity oozing out.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by baci

I wish I could agree with your experiences, but "top tier" members loved to put it out there that they were "top tier". (at least where I came from) Congratulations to them, but to have to "put it out there" was kind of sad/major turn off. It really brought them down, IMO. Quite possibly, that may have be their immaturity/insecurity oozing out.

What I was quoting was specifically talking about MY campus. Therefore, my comment was talking about MY campus and MY experience there. I have no idea what happens elsewhere. The Texas Monthly quote was NOT about "Baci U." I'm sorry your experience has been different elsewhere.

[baci]

Perfection^^

Your statement says it all!

[baci]

ForeverRoses, I think you are spot on with your comment. The young men want only to socialize with certain sororities. Ugh

[Kansas City]

If we're going to get into a ****ing match, why don't we look at some quantitative methods of determining an organization's strength? Now the accountants on GC will have to help me out with this one (I got Cs in economics and accounting ) but isn't there a percentage or ratio that is used to analyze an organization's strength based on their annual reports?

I would also add that any person who seriously complains about the weakness of their organization probably needs to work harder (volunteer, donate?) to help make it stronger.

[33girl]

I think we talked about this before in the context of most chapters vs. most members. I mean, you can say XYZ has strong alumnae support because they have 100 more alum chapters than anyone else, but what isn't mentioned is that 2/3 of those alum chapters have less than 5 members. Whereas XYZ has fewer alum chapters, but most of them are very active with large memberships.

[violetpretty]

I don't see anyone complaining about the "weakness" of their organizations. In fact, most of the sorority alumnae on GC are very dedicated to their sorority through advising their local chapter, volunteering as a National officer, being involved with their alumnae chapter, etc.

It bothers me when people insinuate that belonging to a "low tier" chapter or a "low tier" NPC makes them less of a person. If a chapter has happy members who are striving to achieve the standards and live the values of their sorority, that's what ultimately matters.

Talking about tiers has the potential to undo a lot of good that members do, even if it is "quantitative". Kind of like how when Greeks complain that the media will be all over a story involving hazing/drinking yet fail to publicize the merits. Or when sorority women, fraternity men, and independents talk trash about the struggling chapter(s) on campus, even if they are trying to improve. The tent talk hinders their efforts.

If you want to talk about tiers, there are sites designed for just that purpose.

I have yet to see the purpose tier talk serves. Is it consistent with your sorority's values?

[irishpipes]

Try going to an Alumnae Pahellenic meeting where I live. The women most obsessed with tiers are over age 50. It's pathetic.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Try going to an Alumnae Pahellenic meeting where I live. The women most obsessed with tiers are over age 50. It's pathetic.

I think you are in the south, Irish, and I am going to go out on a limb here, but I would credit this to the very traditional and stereotypical southern society "rules" that those women grew up with. Fifty years ago, who you are was determined by several things - race, religon, wealth, sorority affiliation, etc. All of those identifiers figured into someone's social standing. So it would stand to reason that it is still an issue for those women today.

The diversity that we see among young women today was not the norm for those women growing up - in fact, maybe that is one reason why southern recruitment and "what you pledge" is still such a big deal. I don't know, I just thought of that right this minute...

Just an observation.

[AnchorAlum]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Try going to an Alumnae Pahellenic meeting where I live. The women most obsessed with tiers are over age 50. It's pathetic.

Ahem. I'm over 50.

But I agree with you.

[gee_ess]

TriDeltSallie -

Let me see if I can explain what I think you are saying,

You were in a lower tier group and were aware of that fact. Because you were young and relatively naiive, you thought DDD was a lower tier group on all other campuses as well as yours. You thought that Greek Life as you knew it was what everyone knew. You went to convention and realized that DDD is not lower tier everywhere, in fact it is quite strong. The national experience was eye opening to you.

What you have realized is that all groups are strong nationally and all across the country and in varying degrees. It is a statement that we all know to be true.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

The national experience was eye opening to you.

What you have realized is that all groups are strong nationally and all across the country and in varying degrees. It is a statement that we all know to be true.

Yes! It was very eye opening and it showed me the power of belonging to a national organization and the lifelong opportunities available as a sorority woman that went way beyond my own chapter.

[nittanyalum]

Great! The end.