MTV and Sororities

33girl- Sorry if I did offend you, didnt meant to. That comment came after a long and hard frustrating week then I had to see the commercial and all h-e double hockey stix broke out in my silly and tired head and I take it back. That one thing that is.

Everyone-- Lets just watch it first, then see what happens.

[UNFSigmaChi]

Well, I was wondering if anyone had started a thread on this and man this is big. Well I didn't even know about the whole sorority life thing until my friend who works part-time as an editor for MTV called me up the other day to chat. Looks like from what she told me its going to be somewhat bad but they do have a couple scences of good stuff. The rush scences are the worst she said because they talk some trash about some of the rushee's during bidding and then show one of the girls later on crying cause she didn't get accepted. They do show a bar scene with oh yes of course...binge drinking. People in the editiing dept have already given some of the "sisters" nicknames and make fun of them during the editing process. So when i asked her what sorority it was and she said sigma alpha epsilon pi...i was like ummm 4 letters...im not sure its a real sorority. But after reading these posts i guess it kinda is. I asked her how she thought it was going to turn out and she said well the first couple episodes are pretty stereotypical cause some of the girls will come across as bitches and sleazy(they don't show them hooking up its more how they talk about guys), but thats to get people to keep watching and after awhile it will be more normal, but it definatly keeps the stereotypes. There are fraternities from time to time in it and they are drinking. So im like grrreeeaat!. She didn't even know its a local sorority(or what the difference btw nationals and local) is. So its depicted as a this is what every sorority house is like on campus's from what i got from her. So get ready for a rough couple of episodes.
After reading these posts though i think its pretty damn sad that you have to sell out the greek community to help boost chapter funds. They arent even giving an actual dipection of greek life if MTV comes in and pays for their furniture etc. It really pisses me off to be a sell-out just to improve the quality of your house and social activities. Not to knock a local sorority but go figure a local would screw this all up. This wannabe sorority is going to destroy years of all our hard work in a few hours just for 20 pieces of silver. And they want us to support them?!?!?! Were going to be doing damage control for the next few years for their selfishness. Its really gonna suck for you girls though because your going to have to correct so many stereotypes during fall rush ad nausium. Well I hope SAEPi enjoys making everyone angry and upset so they can have a few nice couches and tables in their house.

[DeltAlum]

That's pretty harsh, I think. And uncalled for.

First, if you've read the thread, you know I'm not happy about this whole project, but I think what we have here is a bad decision on the chapters part -- not a sell out.

Second, I think it's unfair not to consider this group a sorority. The obviously are -- just not a national sorority. And, apparantely, they made the decision as a group. Let's let up a little on the name calling.

Third, I think that's part of the problem. If they were a national group, they would have had input from their Nationals, and, in fact, have been banned from participating. Had that ban not been the case, I think a lot of chapters would have affirimatively considered the MTV offer out of ignorance of the process -- and the result would have been the same. Awful.

Finally, the "pieces of silver" (I thought it was 30), analogy just doesn't fit here. Judas made a conscious, damaging decision to help execute a man. These women made a mistake working with a process they didn't understand and an organization which was ready to take advantage of them.

I certainly wish that these women had read previous threads about this topic. Or, if they did, I wish they had taken heed. But I do not believe that they decided to do something to hurt the Greek System in order to get a new paint job or new furniture. I believe they, in a misguided way, thought this might give them some exposure to help their local numbers, and help them expand their own sorority or become part of a national organization.

I would be surprized, as someone pointed out already, if any national group will allow them to affilliate after this.

If there is anyone to be PO'd at, it's the producers and the folks at MTV for going into a project with pre-conceived storylines and looking for the sensational -- and then branding it as the norm -- and painting the entire Greek world with that same brush.

But, come on, look at all of the similar programs on MTV. Do you really believe that they aren't sensationalized? Well, maybe you do. And that's the real problem here, isn't it?

That's reprehensable, but not uncommon in this genre of programming -- especially on cable.

To repeat, though, I'm a whole lot more upset with the MTV people (including your friend who is willing to stereotype this group in the editing process without understanding (or not caring about) the dynamics of the Greek system, than with the women of the sorority. Let's be a little gentle with our Greek sisters. OK?

[KRXAlum]

Originally posted by UNFSigmaChi
Not to knock a local sorority but go figure a local would screw this all up.

Sorry, but you ARE knocking locals here and personally, I am rather offended.

I'm an alumni of a local sorority that has been around for 100 years now, and I KNOW that my local would not take part in this type of show. For those who are comparing all locals to this particular one, I personally think that is unfair. Although I'm part of a local, I know what we do is sacred and to be kept in private... that what we do is something only we sisters share.

SO my request is that people think before saying things like "Leave it to a local... " Although I and others are in a local, it doesn't mean we aren't Greek and play an important role in Greek life. Statements like the one above makes it seem like all locals would do this and I truly believe that is not the case.

Thanks!

[AngelPhiSig]

Reading some of these threads, I hope I have not made any comments about locals. I would never say that a local is not a "real" greek. I give locals so much credit because those of us in national orgs were handed an organization and rituals and all kinds of things and had guidance, locals start from scratch. Also think that every national org was once a local!

I do agree that it will be MTV's fault in the portrayal of the women and I cant say that I agree with their choice in participating but Ive come to accept that if its what they want, its what they want. They get the rewards or concequecnes. But I just *hope* that the message that it is ONE chapter and ONE organization gets across.

[AngelJR]

I just wanted to let you all know that I am in a sorority at UC Davis. SAEPi came around and gave us all information about their appearance on MTV. From the beginning, it was definitely obvious that it was not such a good idea. It became really difficult for other National sorority members to stay off of camera. MTV was everywhere! They were at the bars, on campus, basically all over the place! We all knew how MTV was going to depict sorority women from the start, and tried to talk to the University about controlling this issue. Our attempts failed, so basically, I know that my entire house is definitely dreading June 24th. Being not only a member of the greek community, but also a student at UC Davis, I know that MTV will definitely put a damper on our reputation. Hopefully, it will not have an effect on the number of girls we get to Rush in the Fall.
Secondly, SAEPi does not represent the entire greek community here at Davis. Not that I have anything against these girls, I know that some of them are definitely great individuals, but I just think that they are labeling the rest of the sororities on campus. Basically, when you ask anyone about the sororities here at Davis, SAEPi will not be mentioned. I also think it says a lot that MTV had to basically refurnish SAEPi's house, and actually rented out an apartment for all of their new pledges to stay and live together! If the point is to show the "real" life of a sorority on campus, why do they need to glam everything up?I know that National sororities couldn't have taken part in this event, so it is awkward that we have to be tied into these stereotypes. If I know MTV, we can all expect the worst out of this show:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Finally, the "pieces of silver" (I thought it was 30), analogy just doesn't fit here.

K, I am not trying to be funny when I say this, but I seriously thought UNFSigmaChi was talking about a 20 pc. "silver"ware set when he said, "20 pieces of silver". Did anyone else? maybe its cua its freakin 3 am and Im up. Plus he said it after making references about MTV decking out the sorority's house.

Anywho... I hope for not only SAEPi's sake (90% their sake), but the Greek System as a whole, that most of us are wrong about this. But like I said before, I dont think its gonna be pretty. because in all honestly here's the thing...After June 24th and when everyone returns to campus in the Fall, SAEPi is going to find out just who their true friends and allies are. Not only in the Greek system, but on the UC Davis campus in general. And just from the general feeling of the previous post by a greek at Davis.. I dunno. If the girls of SAEpi feel that they went into this for all the right reasons, all I can say is keep your heads up.

[TriSigmaBSU]

Okay. I am a new member of a GLO, and I'm very proud of it. One of the reasons that I wanted to belong in a sorority was for the social part of it, but not to go party all the time. I wanted to join for the leadership experiences, and philanthropy events.

I know that GLOs often get bad names/reps, and I know this show on MTV isn't going to help us. I've had friends say things about GLOs, and I jump right in, telling them that it's so different from what they may see or hear. I too heard and saw things that portrayed Greek life in a negative way while growing up, but that never influenced my decision not to rush once I was in college. I had a lot of support from my family and friends that went Greek when they were in college, and they only assured me that this was something that I would never regret doing.

I will be watching June 24 to see how this goes. I can only pray that this won't be so bad in the end....Okay, I'm done with my 2 cents....

[mmcat]

good post...
don't be a stranger.
mmcat

[KarenC725]

Good Lord! The radio station here just had a bit about the show on. Just a few comments: "One of the producers and a girl are having an affair and she gets preferential treatment", "The producers aimed to "Stack" the house with the right kind of girl for the show", "There will be steamy scenes, although the most steam comes from the off-screen relationship". GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maggieaxid]

ok 4 things:

1. One of my sisters works for MTV as a production assistant and was a Panhellenic President for 2 years. She has already seen some of the episodes. She says that in the first couple of shows, these girls are portrayed really badly. She also mentioned the "binge drinking" and what NPC nationals would consider as hazing. (ie. having all of the "new members" (they refer to them as "pledges", live in one house together, and like yelling at them in stuff.)

2. She said the recruitment scenes are horrible and not a real refelction of how most NPC, and locals on campus's with NPC chapters do rush. And you will totally feel bad for the PNM's who got cut, and then watch this, and see all the trash talking there is about them. she said she would have been mortified.
(Not that most NPC organizations don't trash talk, but we would never ever air it on national tv!)

3. Many NPC organizations have been lobbying MTV to put a disclaimer on the show stating that this is not an accurate portrayal of a National Fraternity or Sorority, kinda like the disclaimer that Jackass has.

4. Living in West Chester, PA and knowing the guys from JACKASS, they will tell you first hand that MTV totally screws with everything that happens. Unless "sigma" has already seen and Ok'd the footage (like what the Osbournes do) they will have no idea what will be portrayed. Scenes will be cut and edited to the way MTV wants them to be.

I will be watching the show on the 24th to make up my own mind about it. I honestly, feel bad for the members of this organization who obviously have worked very hard to create and maintain their organization...however, i think this was a very bad idea and poor judegement was used to say "ok" to all of this stuff. I hope there are no bad reprocussions to the organization or the other organizations at UCDavis. And if there are, I am sure the national GLO's will survive and try to better the campus.

[SigmaChiCard]

what we have here is a bad decision on the chapters part -- not a sell out.

It depends. Are they sorry for the destruction and misrepresentation that they have done?

[DeltAlum]

Card,

If the program portrays Greeks as badly as I'm afraid it will, and it sounds like it will from the "inside" MTV sources, I suspect that these women will feel badly.

But my feeling is that MTV is the culprit here -- not the members of the chapter.

Again, I don't think they understood what they were getting into. Most people wouldn't.

The misrepresentation is more likely to come in the editing and directing stage -- taking things out of context -- and moving forward in an alleged "documentary" style while all the time having a preconceived notion of what the storyline will be.

Of course the chapter and the Greek System as a whole will suffer for it while MTV goes on its merry way and sensationalizes something else.

An, by the way, guess who's ultimate "fault" it is that MTV does this kind of stuff? Yours, my kids, other college students, Greeks, GDI's -- everyone who watches Road Rule, Undressed, Real Life (sorry if I get some of the names wrong, MTV isn't a favorite of my generation -- we have our own stupidities that we watch) and their other "reality" programs.

If nobody watched them, the genre wouldn't survive would it? I'm not trying to dictate your taste in TV, just saying that ratings are what perpetuate programming. If no one watched this sensationalism, it wouldn't last.

Obviously, if the women of this chapter had read the other threads when MTV was first searching for a group to videotape, they might not have done this. There were an ample number of us who raised a warning flag. But, they either didn't read it, or didn't believe what we said.

In the long run, I feel badly for them. They made a serious mistake -- but who among us hasn't at one time or another.

I just don't want our anger to be misplaced. It should be toward the producer, not the victim(s).

[LexiKD]

Lifesaver: I love you, you are so funny!

MooseGirl: I wouldn't advise/allow my chapter to get invovled with a show of this sort weather NPC said anything or not. We all know that MTV isn't doing a documentary here and just like Spring Break Undercover I wouldn't do those either b/c they paint the peolpe in the worst possible light.

Zuma: I think the issues is: It was the group's choice ot do this and yes it sounds fun and exciting and yes it will make the group known, but I think we are all aware that MTV sells...they are not in it to educate their public on sorority life at all. They want to go long with the spring break type shows...not a good choice. It makes others mad, national GLO members, b/c a local group that isn't affiliated with 26 member groups with at least 100,000+ members in each are the ones that will catch most of the problems with bad PR.

[maggieaxid]

i don't think its nationals vs. locals. I think it's more like:"this organization is representing an entire sect of people and hopefully they did it tastefully and with respect to themselves and all the other people out there that are greek as well." They will not only be the ones feeling the reprocussions if this doesn't go well. All of us will. and i think they were just thinking of the little picture, while we, who are on greek chat and are involved with national and international orgazations all over the world, realize how big the picture really is.