MTV and Sororities

[Serenity]

IMHO, time would be better spent planning ways to counteract the damage that will be done instead of harping on the fact that damge will/has been done. I find it hard to believe that this show is going to do more damage to the GLO image than greeks do themselves - every single day. I just don't see it. I think we need to start admitting that most of these stereotypes exist because a lot of members of GLO's play into them. If that weren't true MTV wouldn't be able to have a predetermined "script". We're also part of the problem. Let's not forget that. No organization is exempt - National or Local.

But say it does do more damage. So what? That just means we have to work that much harder to change the stereotypes. Maybe I'm just not worried that much about it because I know when most GDI's I know see this show, they're going to know it is not a reflection of all greeks. Even more, it's our responsibility to get that word out, not MTV's.

And, I think if it came down to who's going to be more negatively affected by this, I'd say locals. Especially since people on here keep saying IFC/NPC (any governing body) would never allow one of their orgs to do a show like this. Fine, but that doesn't mean that most local organizations would - governing body or not. I think that's the perception a lot of you are giving, whether you mean to or not. Locals may not have 100,000+ members, but that doesn't mean they don't see the big picture too.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by Serenity
IMHO, time would be better spent planning ways to counteract the damage that will be done instead of harping on the fact that damge will/has been done. I find it hard to believe that this show is going to do more damage to the GLO image than greeks do themselves - every single day. I just don't see it. I think we need to start admitting that most of these stereotypes exist because a lot of members of GLO's play into them. If that weren't true MTV wouldn't be able to have a predetermined "script". We're also part of the problem. Let's not forget that. No organization is exempt - National or Local.

But say it does do more damage. So what? That just means we have to work that much harder to change the stereotypes. Maybe I'm just not worried that much about it because I know when most GDI's I know see this show, they're going to know it is not a reflection of all greeks. Even more, it's our responsibility to get that word out, not MTV's.

And, I think if it came down to who's going to be more negatively affected by this, I'd say locals. Especially since people on here keep saying IFC/NPC (any governing body) would never allow one of their orgs to do a show like this. Fine, but that doesn't mean that most local organizations would - governing body or not. I think that's the perception a lot of you are giving, whether you mean to or not. Locals may not have 100,000+ members, but that doesn't mean they don't see the big picture too.

Thank you Serenity !!!!!! There are some in here that are up in arms about this, but yet their own conduct often goes unquestioned, I guess because there are no cameras around.

[lovelyivy84]

Originally posted by Serenity
IMHO, time would be better spent planning ways to counteract the damage that will be done instead of harping on the fact that damge will/has been done. I find it hard to believe that this show is going to do more damage to the GLO image than greeks do themselves - every single day. I just don't see it. I think we need to start admitting that most of these stereotypes exist because a lot of members of GLO's play into them. If that weren't true MTV wouldn't be able to have a predetermined "script". We're also part of the problem. Let's not forget that. No organization is exempt - National or Local.

But say it does do more damage. So what? That just means we have to work that much harder to change the stereotypes. Maybe I'm just not worried that much about it because I know when most GDI's I know see this show, they're going to know it is not a reflection of all greeks. Even more, it's our responsibility to get that word out, not MTV's.

And, I think if it came down to who's going to be more negatively affected by this, I'd say locals. Especially since people on here keep saying IFC/NPC (any governing body) would never allow one of their orgs to do a show like this. Fine, but that doesn't mean that most local organizations would - governing body or not. I think that's the perception a lot of you are giving, whether you mean to or not. Locals may not have 100,000+ members, but that doesn't mean they don't see the big picture too.

Very well put.

[XOBear]

I totally think MTV is trying to make greeks look bad.

Do you guys think this will last??

I think it is going to get TONS of ratings. I know all of my friends and myself will be watching.

[maggieaxid]

honestly, i think ratings are going to be great. and i think they will then do "life in a fraternity" after that it, will die out.

[LeslieAGD]

Originally posted by Serenity
IMHO, time would be better spent planning ways to counteract the damage that will be done instead of harping on the fact that damge will/has been done.

But say it does do more damage. So what? That just means we have to work that much harder to change the stereotypes.

Personally, I think you're preaching to the choir here. I know that I, and I think many here on GC, do work to correct the stereotypes. We have been working hard...but you know about they say about bad apples spoiling the bunch. No matter how hard some of us work locally, MTV reaches a much bigger audience.

[SIGMA_INSIDER]

If you look closely, most of the quotes in the "Sorority Life" promo had words chopped off or were taken completely out of context. It's a question of the girls just saying "parties" in a list of answers to a totally different question and the editors inserting that one word or phrase whereever they please. For example, the quote "just an excuse to party" .... with the real quote being, "it's not just an excuse to party". As shown, Mtv, like all networks, has an agenda to get people to watch this show, and they've done it through misrepresentation. The show was pitched to the sorority as a documentary, but i'm afraid the pressure to compete with the sex, alcohol and nudity on the real world might cause a manipulation of truth. Hopefully all of you know that similar to the Real World, the show has storylines which can have little to do with what actually took place. I'll admit that I saw some crazy stuff go on in the house, which I will not defend, but I also saw ten times as much good. The only thing that we can hope for is that the producers of the show will follow through on their promises and not misrepresent SAEPi and all sororities in a bad light to further their own causes. If portrayed truthfully, this will be a great show which will have positive effects on all sororities. [check out a page that I have nothing to do with but is an attempt to show the truth: realsororitylife.com (coming soon)]

[amycat412]

SEX AND MTV 'SORORITY'
Mon Jun 10, 3:46 AM ET
By Richard Johnson
PageSix.com

SNITCHES on the location of "Sorority Life" - an MTV reality show that's been shooting for three months at Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi on the Cal-Davis campus in Sacramento - say the steamiest scenes are happening off-camera. A producer is said to be having an affair with one of the sexy young sorority sisters. "And she's getting preferential treatment," said one insider. "We would be deeply troubled if that were true," university spokesperson Maril Stratton told PAGE SIX. "MTV's presence in this community is predicated on reflecting the reality of these women's lives - not interfering or influencing their lives. It would be most unprofessional and exploitive." An MTV spokeswoman said flatly: "It's not true." Less serious is the allegation that the show's creator, Sergio Meyers, was able to sneak some ringers into the Greek letter society. "MTV picked pretty girls and packed the sorority," said our source. "This isn't reality TV, it's enhanced reality. It's almost fantasy."

[mmcat]

how good a recruitment did they have?
makes one go hmmmmm
mmcat

[DeltAlum]

"This isn't reality TV, it's enhanced reality. It's almost fantasy."

Gee, what a surprize.

[Colleenie]

Did any of these women honestly think MTV was going to do a documentary? Anyone who has watched MTV knows they don't specialize in accurate depictions of real life. MTV is about fantasy. If the women wanted to participate in a documentary, PBS would have been a better choice.
I'm also concerned about how the other GLOs on campus will be represented in this without even being involved. If I was in a fraternity at UCDavis I would be concerned about having a mixer with Sigma for fear something might get back to my nationals.
Yes many of us in GLOs have done things we might not want to be representative of our organization - binge drinking, ect. The difference is we haven't allowed it to be put on national television with little control over how it is presented.

[SIGMA_INSIDER]

YES, most of these women honestly thought and were told by the director, a former Greek himself, that it would fall in line with shows like "TRUE LIFE" and other documentary-type shows. Anyone who has seen "True Life" knows that it does have redeeming qualities and is definitely a step away from shows like The Real World.

• The frats and sororities who did activities with them were not allowed by nationals to have letters shown.
• As far as having little control over what goes on, lawyers were involved with the signing and reviewing of contracts, but the ultimate control lies within the network. Even with the most flawless contract, do you really think that anyone but MTV has control over how they are represented? It all comes down to trust; trust that the director is well-intentioned and that their values could shine through any manipulative editing job.
• I know that Sigma's Spring recruit was definitely atypical because of the filming crew's presence. I've also heard some pretty compelling accounts of unethical recruiting (solely on the producers' part), but until I see hard evidence I consider them just that: rumors.

[I encourage everyone interested to check out the Sigma website at sigmaaepi.com and be sure to read their statement on why they chose to do the show] BTW, Great post, SERENITY! (see Serenity's post above)

[Serenity]

Anyone who has watched MTV knows they don't specialize in accurate depictions of real life. MTV is about fantasy.

Exactly!! That's why I feel some of you are giving MTV waaaaaaaay too much power as far as damaging the image of greeks. I think there will be a small % of viewers who will watch this show and take it as a true account of sorority life. Their perception of greek life may or may not change sometime in the future. If not, oh well, I guess they'll never find out the true beauty of being in a GLO. However, for the most part, I think people will just be watching the show for the entertainment value. Period. I know I will.

Yes many of us in GLOs have done things we might not want to be representative of our organization - binge drinking, ect. The difference is we haven't allowed it to be put on national television with little control over how it is presented.

So then there really isn't a difference. Although these types of behaviors may not be broadcasted for all the world to see, non-greeks and greeks alike on our respective campuses may witness such behaviors up front and personal. That's much, much worse in my opinion. In this case, no one can say "oh well, it was taken out of context".

I'm beginning to wonder if the issue is MTV perpetuating negative stereotypes about greek life or the fact that certain aspects of greek life are being brought to light. For example, take the quote from the promo about joining a sorority for the social aspect. Although that quote may have been taken out of context, several people on GC admitted that they did join their org partly for the social aspect. So what? We all know it's so much more involved than that and I'm sure most people will. Those individuals truly interested in greek life will find that out, just like we did. They may have to find out the hard way when they show up and make fools of themselves with that mentality at rushes/informationals/teas, but they will find out.

Another example: someone posted that there will be a segment on the show where the some members of SAEPi speak badly about a rushee after she has left the house. But, then the poster (not a personal attack) went on to say that although this does go on in chapters it would never be done on national TV. You can't have it both ways, people. You can't criticize MTV for showing something that may happen in our own chapters. That's hypocritical.

Point blank, MTV has no power over the way our organizations are perceived on our respective campuses. Our own behaviors and attitudes, nasty rumors spread by jealous ex-boyfriends/girlfriends, rejected rushees/applicants or anti-greek students, etc. largely determine that. And for the most part, those things can be changed.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

[girl]

I'm a student at UCDavis, where this "Sorority Life" takes place, and I'm friends with girls in this sorority. I've heard a lot of concern coming from them about what is going to be on tv, because they fear IT WILL BE MISREPRESENTATIVE. They did not do it for money, they did not do it for furniture, they did not do it to become famous. These are careing, wholesome girls who wanted to do nothing more than to share with the world the marvelous ways sororities can enhance the college experience. They have done their part by being the wonderful people that they are, and anything you see other than that is MTV's manipulation. No matter what MTV says a sorority is, you should all know from your own experiences that greek life is positive and enriching, and who wouldn't want to share that with the world?

[ZTAMichelle]

Originally posted by girl
No matter what MTV says a sorority is, you should all know from your own experiences that greek life is positive and enriching, and who wouldn't want to share that with the world?

Sure I'd like to share my experience as a Zeta with the world but not with the help of MTV. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could spit no matter what a greek producer said....