Greek Decline - Page 7

toocute · #1 08-01-2003, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nachural
On the graduate level I believe that a reason for the decline may be that the organizations aren't seen. And it's not like you can just sign up you have to been chosen. So it's a little different. If the chapter isn't visible then people who are interested can't volunteer with them. I dont know but I dont think they go around saying what they are gonna be doing in the community. On the graduate level interests have to really be serious! Absolutely no half steppin'. I think it's a lot harder for you to become a member on the graduate level. You have to be seen by the chapter being active in the community and even if you are really active they dont have to see you. I dunno

I have not seen a decline in interest on the Graduate level in NY/NJ at all. I know of events for most of the D9 orgs and I'm not just talking about step shows and parties.

ZPhinestOne · #2 08-04-2003, 11:36 PM

I just happened to stumble upon this thread and Ive amazingly read every comment because I am struggling with this very issue being that I will be my chapters president next year, and on the exec. board of our NPHC chapter. I have been racking my brain all summer trying to come up with ideas on how to not only revive the presence of my own org on my campus, but BGLO's as well.

im just going to break down my environment for y'all real quick just to give you an idea how bad it is in my area and at most the schools in my area.

xyz-suspended indefinitely
xyz-suspended-indefinitely
xyz-from 17 members down to 2 in 1 year
xyz-from 4 to 1 in 1 year

xyz-from 2 to 5 in one year
xyz-Suspended indefinitely
xyz-Been trying to reactivate for the last two years from a school near
xyz-2 to none in the last year
xyz-atleast 2 members every year

Latino/a GLO's-this school holds the most Alpha chapters for the most popular LGLO's. There intake is steady holding down 7-10 members at all times.

Now im not afraid to admit that sometimes we as BGLO's depending on chapter have lost focus and purpose, and just are not appealing to anyone in the true way we should be!

At my school right now GDI's are playing between org's, its not a
"let me try to strive for the org I have my heart set on" but a "I know the BGLO's are desperate for membership, and Im going to see which org spits the best game at me and I'll make my choice then." More so for the guys....they are leading members to believe they are interested in the org and at the same time in "secret talks" with another org at the same time. Then they begin the process for one and drop..and the next year they find out that ABC is trying to have a comeback line so they figure that they will hop on the ABC train to be on the jump off line! Or they are too busy trying to be thugs or which specifically in my school half the males are "eternals" and have bad mouthed the orgs so bad that overall reputation is just ruined.

personally im a bit of a PR agent and do my own research to find out whats really going on and why we arent as appealing anymore. Ive pretended not to be greek at times to get the real truth out of people. Ive heard things from..."who are they again?" to "I cant stand those b$%#hes."

At our school the orgs. that are available hold so many programs in a semester we have to fight with each other for dates..yet the only people that attend are nphc members and those 1 or two who have been really dedicated to pursuing membership into xyz. But bet come friday or saturday night everybody is at the xyz house for the party for the year.

its gotten so bad that I know for a fact that members from xyz will befriend a young man or woman for the first time or maybe after casual contact..the first thing out the members mouth is "how are your grades", not for the purpose of genuinly caring but rather "im going to convince you that you want to be in my org, if you have the grades".

Orgs have also resorted to intentionally pursuing someone they know has expressed interest solely in another org, sometimes being succesful....

...the top fraternity and sorority compete with each other for members, programs, popularity, kudos, etc...

And get this, when an org or NPHC or LGC (Latin Greek Council) has a party in our campus center, they designate a time for strolling because the GDI's complain and get mad cause they dont want us to stroll all night. In adition you cannot stroll at a non greek campus center party, which is a school rule. There has been times ive been strolling and females wlil mutter smart comments like, "I dont feel like looking at all these chicks all night, i wish they would stop".

So as you can see its pretty low and trust me im not exaggerating......you havent heard the half of it....

so my take on the whole thing is that society is changing and moving fast and we have not kept up with it. This is how it seem atleast in the north east, I'm sure the picture would present itslef differently in at the southern HBCU's.

Its hard to maintain your org when you are the only person in the chapter holding it down for your org the best you can. Its hard to be visible. Especially when GDI's know too much about what goes on within the org's because the word "discreete" has lost its meaning. Or when the whole campus knows that 13 girls are on for xyz and none of them cross and the chapter is suddenly suspended.....honestly if i were to be non greek right now i wouldnt join anything either.....some of the things ive seen across campuses would make anybody with common sense, use their common sense and stay the GDI that they are. And I would agree with anyone who said, it definitely matters where you are at, 'cause If I feel i cant work with you, I'll save my money wait 'til I graduate.

As BGLO's we should realize that all these problems are internal and we can only blame ourselves.

Stop frontin' like half your lines grades didnt drop! stop looking at females all crooked cause they seemed to be wearing too much of your sororities colors that day.
When your GDI friends say you changed, believe them 'cause you did, and now the only people you talk to are your sorors or frat!
Act like you know that your sorors/frat brought all their reputations from freshman year right into your org and now it reflects off the chapter!

Ive experienced some of these things through my own org and through friends I have in all the other orgs......it may not be your chapter, but im sure the one next door has some of these issues.

In order to live up to or legacy's given to us, how about we accept our shortcomings first so we can move on...work from the inside out .....

kind of like, as people we have to change on the inside to change the behavior on the outside.....

I think im done....hope I didnt offend anyone......

RedefinedDiva · #3 08-05-2003, 12:29 AM

Well said....

NewBee · #4 08-05-2003, 04:18 AM

Now noone is going to want to hear this...

But this reminds me of the quote, "All good things come to an end." I know you all hate to think it, but one day (probably one day very far away but still) one day the NPHC will no longer exist. People change. Their needs, wants, and therefore their priorities change. Good businesses stay in business because they adapt to the market. Sororities and fraternities say that it, being their organization, is also a business, but yet they want "customers" or interests to adapt to them which is fine and dandy but then don't complain that the same tired stuff isn't working anymore. IMHO.

That added on to the fact that there are newer and dare I say improved organizations that meet the needs of interests better than traditinal GLOs. You also have to look at things like religion and how greeks are viewed by different faiths. But thats a whole different topic.

Exquisite5 · #5 08-05-2003, 10:10 AM

Interesting, I think that if there is a decline in Greek interest it is because of the decline in quality of the interests. At my school there is an infusion of, shall we say, the hoochie culture. A lot of our freshmen, and more and more every year, just don't carry themselves in a respectable manner. On top of that, they simply aren't concerned with anything more than which football player to follow around, flirt with and/or try to get with. So while they may not be pursueing the Greek system, we aside from NOT recruiting, really aren't interested in them to begin with.

This actually helps attract QUALITY girls because they don't want to be around or associated with that mess to begin with.

I am a FIRM believer in quality over quantity. Yes, our lines have dropped from 22 to 17 to 11 to 8 over a 5 year period, but that is fine with me. I think a chapter of 16 due to a line of 8 is clearly functionable and respectable, especially at a PWI as my school is.

Steeltrap · #6 08-05-2003, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Exquisite5
Interesting, I think that if there is a decline in Greek interest it is because of the decline in quality of the interests. At my school there is an infusion of, shall we say, the hoochie culture. A lot of our freshmen, and more and more every year, just don't carry themselves in a respectable manner. On top of that, they simply aren't concerned with anything more than which football player to follow around, flirt with and/or try to get with. So while they may not be pursueing the Greek system, we aside from NOT recruiting, really aren't interested in them to begine with.

This actually helps attract QUALITY girls because they don't want to be around or associated with that mess to begin with.

I am a FIRM believer in quality over quantity. Yes, our lines have dropped from 22 to 17 to 11 to 8 over a 5 year period, but that is fine with me. I think a chapter of 16 due to a line of 8 is clearly functionable and respectable, especially at a PWI as my school is.

I enjoyed this post, Soror Exquisite5. But I also would say some of this would even apply to people pursuing graduate membership. Plus the entitlement mentality also just slays me.

Exquisite5 · #7 08-05-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I enjoyed this post, Soror Exquisite5. But I also would say some of this would even apply to people pursuing graduate membership. Plus the entitlement mentality also just slays me.

Soror, what do you mean by "entitlement mentality"? Are you refering to me and ideas in my post, or to the mentality of many interests that they are entitled to membership?

Just seeking clarification.

Steeltrap · #8 08-05-2003, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Exquisite5
Soror, what do you mean by "entitlement mentality"? Are you refering to me and ideas in my post, or to the mentality of many interests that they are entitled to membership?

Just seeking clarification.

Soror, allow me to clarify.

I was speaking of the interests' entitlement mentality -- they forget that AKA and other NPHC organizations are selective, private groups.

Besides real life, you also see this online. For instance, I was over at Sisterly Forum, and there was a woman who, in her posts, asked if she could call Soror L.M. White.

She was checked, to put it mildly.

Eirene_DGP · #9 08-05-2003, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NewBee
Now noone is going to want to hear this...

But this reminds me of the quote, "All good things come to an end." I know you all hate to think it, but one day (probably one day very far away but still) one day the NPHC will no longer exist. People change. Their needs, wants, and therefore their priorities change. Good businesses stay in business because they adapt to the market. Sororities and fraternities say that it, being their organization, is also a business, but yet they want "customers" or interests to adapt to them which is fine and dandy but then don't complain that the same tired stuff isn't working anymore. IMHO. That added on to the fact that there are newer and dare I say improved organizations that meet the needs of interests better than traditinal GLOs. You also have to look at things like religion and how greeks are viewed by different faiths. But thats a whole different topic.

I agree with you Newbee, especially with your statement about people and their needs change. I have noticed with some Afr. Ams who are joining Multicultural and Latina orgs have done so because they have many friends who are white or other non-Afr. Am ethnicities who want to be in NPHC orgs but have been told no b/c they were not Afr. Am. I am not trying to bash anyone's org, but this is what I have been told by our new members. This is a new day and people are becoming more diverse and tolerant as well. If I have been friends with an Indian, Caucasian, Asian, and Native American girls and we all rush XYZ org together and we all have service, grades, etc. and they cannot get in b/c of their race, you best believe I will not pledge no matter how much I wanted to be in the org. because their beliefs do not mesh with mine. I have a strong faith in God and I do believe we are all the same on the inside, and ultimately none of us are better than the next regardless of race.

NewBee · #10 08-05-2003, 02:58 PM

Why thankyou Eirene_DGP! Most people probably dont want to hear it though...

enlightenment06 · #11 08-05-2003, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
I agree with you Newbee, especially with your statement about people and their needs change. I have noticed with some Afr. Ams who are joining Multicultural and Latina orgs have done so because they have many friends who are white or other non-Afr. Am ethnicities who want to be in NPHC orgs but have been told no b/c they were not Afr. Am. I am not trying to bash anyone's org, but this is what I have been told by our new members. This is a new day and people are becoming more diverse and tolerant as well. If I have been friends with an Indian, Caucasian, Asian, and Native American girls and we all rush XYZ org together and we all have service, grades, etc. and they cannot get in b/c of their race, you best believe I will not pledge no matter how much I wanted to be in the org. because their beliefs do not mesh with mine. I have a strong faith in God and I do believe we are all the same on the inside, and ultimately none of us are better than the next regardless of race.

I agree the God has made us all equal. However, I want my fraternity to remain predominantly and historically Black. The reason I joined Alpha Phi Alpha is because it is a historically and predominantly Black fraternity whose focus is on the descendents of Africa. This does not mean that I think we're better than anyone else, but my organization is a private, selective, exclusive organization, and I feel we have the right to admit whoever we want.

AKA2D '91 · #12 08-05-2003, 03:23 PM

dayum I wanted to have the 100th post!

I'm trying to lighten the mood. I feel 100 more posts are to come.

Steeltrap · #13 08-05-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
dayum I wanted to have the 100th post!

I'm trying to lighten the mood. I feel 100 more posts are to come.

I was about ready to blast somebody, but I then remembered that "small minds discuss people," so I refrained. I think I'm going to get some Kool-Aid, though.

Rain Man · #14 08-05-2003, 03:37 PM

I have wanted to say the following for a LONG time (2 years +), and now that I have the venue and the backing of fellow GCers to say this, well brace yourself, b/c this hits rather hard.

Ever since I joined the "new" GC in January 2000, I have made posts and asked questions that challenged the status quo of NPHC orgs. Since then I have been snubbed, brushed off, or dismissed as a spiteful "Eternal Whatever" destined to get revenge on the NPHC for their misgivings. Well, I want to give a good 'n loud round of applause to all the non-NPHC GCers who posted their 2 cents on the matter. I salute you all and want to give a loud 'n hearty WELL SAID!!

Funny b/c I started quite a few GC "School Riots" in these forums, and when a more mature GCer (Alpha1906/DivineNine, BeeJae, or IotaNet) would essentially repeat or reiterate the message I was trying to convey, the other NPHC GCers would give them acolades and mad praise, claiming that they was "the voice of reason" and that they knew what they were talking about. And the only thing that separated me from them was a RITUAL. What's up with that??

One of the posts I initiated was what BGLOs planned on doing to stay relevant in the 21st century, or something to that effect. The replies, as I recall were met with cynicism, criticism, and skepticism. And I was being serious as a heart attack.

Now the chickens are coming home to roost, hence this thread. And all of a sudden, the same NPHCers that said "whatever", are now concerned about the future of their orgs, or at least the drop in membership.

Most, if not all of the issues that have been posted by the non-Greeks I have mentioned or raised questions about in one thread or another at some point in time. But because I don't know the Greek "game", I don't know what I am talking about. No, I don't have "a bug up my butt" about NPHC orgs. Heck y'all made college life that much more fun, for real. But I have seen a lot of jacked up attitudes and actions and that are tarnishing the reputations of these orgs and are putting the futures of these orgs in considerable, if not serious, jeopardy.

I would like to believe that I am a voice of reason for these orgs and that my non-affiliation would make my views and observations objective and non-biased. I try to weigh the good and the bad in these orgs. I ask questions regarding the future of these orgs b/c quite frankly, at the rate it's going now, I don't think some of them will be around after 2010, and that's the truth.
Alpha1906/DivineNine confirmed this with me when I met him at OSU.

I'll wrap it up on this note: I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love all 9 of the orgs and I wish you well in your next 50 or 100 years of brother/sisterhood and service, but if some of you being dissolved or going under is the only way to let you know that this is a new day and time and that students, parents, and college administrations mean BUSINESS, so be it!!

The preceding was NOT a GreekChat editorial. The opinions expressed are those of one man. Rain Man. Homeowner and longtiime Columbus resident.

NewBee · #15 08-05-2003, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I was about ready to blast somebody, but I then remembered that "small minds discuss people," so I refrained. I think I'm going to get some Kool-Aid, though.

Words are powerful things, aren't they?