University of Maryland

[kimmykimmy]

Instead of talking about an individual sorority, let's talk about individual schools and what you think certain groups have going for them, what certain groups need to improve on, why certain groups are so good/bad and how certain groups can improve.

Thanks.

The University of Maryland is a pretty large greek system (about 20 fraternities and 16 sororities I think)

What do you think of the sororities?

[shadokat]

There used to be a site called terpidiots.com, where a lot of greeks from UMD posted. What happened to this??

[kimmykimmy]

They had to shut down because of the illegal use of the word "terps." I don't know what the new site name will be and I doubt I will hear about it from any other place but here.

Any thoughts on the UM greek system? Particularly the sororities.

I have been offered an advisor position and am curious because it sounds really hard and don't know what my decision will be. And I am curious as to what actives think.

Thank you.

[Tom Earp]

Unfortunally, Pitt. St. U Kansas is alot like Universitys these days!

They do not push the Greek Orgs.

Yes there is a lot of moronic Crap that the Orgs do but what about the good that they do?

No Greeks, what a homecoming would it be, No Greeks on school commitees,,how many charities would get less money? Just how much money do the schools get from Alums with Greek Org. Back Grounds?

What if All Alums sent condolences that they could No Longer support a school with money as they do not support the Greek System? HMMMM?

If We do not stand up, do you think that the active chapers will be able to do anything?

Well just my two pence in!

[DGPhoney]

wow, I do remeber that site being around, I too had wondered what happened to that site. I think in the state of Maryland that the Greek System is kinda the same throughout each school. I do agree with Tom E. though, especially with the Greek System in Maryland, they are so quick to judge the bad things and very rarely quick to hop on the band wagon for the good deeds. I also think the Greek System in Maryland in General is kinda quiet. Does anyone else from MD think that?? I mean you rarely see Greeks representing their orgs or a plethora of Greek Apparel or just seeing Greeks around. Is it just me, or does anyone else from MD think that?
DGPhoney~

[darling1]

I attend College Park and I see a very strong system. People are proud to wear their letters and they are very much into community involvement on and off-campus. They are adding a lot to change the negative stereotypes that have been placed on them. For example, many orgs. have become 'dry' and attempt maintain strict policies and have different events to show students that you can have a good time w/o alocohol. We have a First Look Fair where all campus orgs. come out and show all the students what there are about. There is even a Greek Fair I believe that has the same concept as the First Look Fair.

In addition, the Greek System have demonstrated a fine example of strong academic consistency and improvement. In our student union you get to see the average gpa. of all the orgs. including previous years.

Maybe overall the system may seem quiet but at College Park, I think the message is the opposite.

[shadokat]

From what I know of UMD's Greek System, espeically amongst the sororities, there's a lot of stereotyping going on. But the groups there all do such great stuff for the community and what not, that I think a little greek unity is all they need to have a fantastic system!!

[KarenC725]

Darling1, what house are you in?

I agree that from my time in the system there seemed to be a lot of stereotyping. I loved my sisters and choosing was actually hard.

[darling1]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by KarenC725
[B]Darling1, what house are you in?


i don't belong to a sorority. i've just been at maryland long enough to see what i've seen .

[KarenC725]

Oh, ok. I was a Zeta at UMCP. We were still fairly new then and I know the chapter is not doing all that well now...

[kimmykimmy]

Karen, what houses did you pref?

what do you think Zeta needs to work on or what are they doing wrong?

I am curious how chapters at UMCP stay strong, get strong, and break down.

I know numbers numbers numbers and quality quality quality but how do you GET numbers and quality year after year.

that is what I am wondering because the chapter that asked me to be their advisor is also struggling and I am wondering what I am up against if I agree to advise them.

[KarenC725]

I preffed DG, A Chi O and ZTA. Since we were new and small, e didn't have the "rep" that other houses did. Some of hte girls were not the "quality" that other houses wanted so many perceived us as low on the totem pole. From what I hear about them now, they forgot how they made their mark and became a house that was heard. I think they forgot alot about being sisters and not being sorority girls if you know what I mean.

For example, I was infatuated with a Sigma Chi who was in my math class. It was such an oddity that he would talk to a ZTA because we were not on the same tier.

[KarenC725]

If you don't mind me asking, what chapter would you be affiliated with?

[AOPiTerp]

I love the Greek System here at Maryland! So, far AOII has been incredible, and I have a blast with lots of other houses. Things have been kind of shaky this semester (the social policy is under review and there have been some other situations) but we will come out on top. Under the circumstances, everyone has really come together, which can only make us stronger.
Among the sororities there are some stereotypes, but they are as shallow as the people who believe them and repeat them. All of the women I met during rush were awesome, and I can honestly say that I have friends in just about every house.
There are 35,000 people at this school, and only 10% of the students are greek, so obviously we may not be as visible, but we are by no means quiet. I see Terps proudly wearing letters everyday, and some of the most incredible programs on campus in the past year have been sponsered by GLOs.
For the person who was wondering about terpidiots, the university owns the right to the word "terp" so, the site got shut down. I'm friends with the guys who ran it, and they're working on a new site. It won't be the same, but I'm sure it will be awesome.
I'm alomost done rambling about Maryland, but no Terp can go out without saying 3 things:
1. Orange Bowl, January 2, 2002-- 20,000 Terps singing the "You Suck" song at the height of Fridge Fever-- the gators are going down!!
2. Duke Sucks.
3. F*%@ Zoom

[AOPiTerp]

PS- For more information on our greek system check this out.
http://www.union.umd.edu/greek_life/