UPenn Phi Sig Chapter Disbands

guardian_angel! · #1 11-07-2002, 11:09 AM

The Phi Sig's at Penn close their chapter because they hate their nationals.

http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vn.../3dca52d3d3602

SigK_Bama · #2 11-07-2002, 11:12 AM

Whoa...

MoxieGrrl · #3 11-07-2002, 11:13 AM

Can't say that I agree or disagree with them, but I admire their bold move to stand up for what they believe in. However, I don't understand why they would be angry if Phi Sig wants to come back......they chose to leave/deactivate...why cheat someone else out of an experience that they might enjoy?

33girl · #4 11-07-2002, 11:51 AM

Whoa, indeed.

However, sometimes you reach an impasse and there is nothing to be done about it. This sounds like some of the stories of the formerly national, now local sororities at Dartmouth.

Their anger might stem from two things: 1) the feeling that the national considers them so easily replaceable and/or 2) they believe the organization does not deserve the patronage of their fellow students or the support of the school. Incidentally, I'm guessing at their point of view, not saying I feel that way.

Kevin · #5 11-07-2002, 11:58 AM

With national organizations there is an amazing amount of red tape to have to wade through. It is definitely a trade off. If you're local you trade the excellent national programming and national affiliation for being able to do what you want when you want.

Sounds like these girls just had a different set of priorities than the general sorority did.

I think it's great that they stick to their values like that.

texas*princess · #6 11-07-2002, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MoxieGrrl
Can't say that I agree or disagree with them, but I admire their bold move to stand up for what they believe in.

I have to definately agree with this statement. ^^^^^ I know I had to make a tough decision somewhat similar to that awhile back (although it did not involve a national group), and in retrospect, it was the best decision I ever made.

Eupolis · #7 11-07-2002, 01:16 PM

There was a chapter of a NIC fraternity at my school that mass-disassociated in the 1980s. The story about why has become confused over the years, and I think I'd have to find someone who was in it at the time to get the true story. I've heard a couple of versions of the story. The versions I've heard all suggest that the brothers elected a president who was in at least one if not two minority groups of whom the headquarters did not approve, so the brothers all quit, choosing not to be part of an organization that would discriminate along those lines. I haven't got a good, concrete way to confirm the story, though. There's now a local organization (coed) that is said to be descended from the breakoff group.

PsychTau · #8 11-07-2002, 01:50 PM

If the members deaffiliated, deactivated, turned in their letters, (whatever it's called) and no longer are members of an NPC sorority, how can they continue to serve on Panhellenic Council? I understand that this is a nice thing to do for continuity of the Council and a show of support for these ladies, but it's not logical. An independent can't serve on Panhellenic Council. . .wouldn't they be considered independents?

On the other hand, it is nice to see someone stand up for their beliefs. However, it's sad to see a chapter go.

Optimist Prime · #9 11-07-2002, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eupolis
There was a chapter of a NIC fraternity at my school that mass-disassociated in the 1980s. The story about why has become confused over the years, and I think I'd have to find someone who was in it at the time to get the true story. I've heard a couple of versions of the story. The versions I've heard all suggest that the brothers elected a president who was in at least one if not two minority groups of whom the headquarters did not approve, so the brothers all quit, choosing not to be part of an organization that would discriminate along those lines. I haven't got a good, concrete way to confirm the story, though. There's now a local organization (coed) that is said to be descended from the breakoff group.

That is true brotherhood. It was way too recent that they would disaprove of minority though. That sucks.

#10 11-07-2002, 02:01 PM

I agree with MoxieGrrl as well..

The only thing I wonder when I read this, though, is.... do you really think ALL 60+ of those girls really wanted to deactivate? I'll bet you anything there were probably 5-10 or more girls (probably younger girls, esp.) that didn't really want to go, but felt "what can I do?"

If that is the case, I feel really bad for those girls

Kevin · #11 11-07-2002, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ginger

If that is the case, I feel really bad for those girls

If Phi Sig wants to remain there I'm sure they could use any dissenters to keep that chapter open. Not knowing the girls' reasons for disaffiliating makes it a tough judgement call.

phisigsigchic · #12 11-07-2002, 02:13 PM

Hey guys, say hello to a member of Phi Sig (gamma nu chapter) who also got sick of National. We are ALL now on alumnae status. The Phi Sig National doesn't care about true sisterhood or any of the things our founders based this sorority on. I completely agree and sympathize with the Penn girls because all of us here at RU feel the same way. We feel that National did nothing to help us and only made the situation worse. What makes it even better is that the National Grand Archon (Sandy Grossman) is an ALUMNAE of OUR CHAPTER! And she did NOTHING to help us with recruitment (which was our problem). All they wanted was NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS (for MONEY MONEY MONEY). When we explained to them that while Rutgers might be a huge school with a huge student body only about 10% go Greek. Even the more "popular" sororities have trouble making total. But they didn't want to hear it. They wanted us to recruit a ridiculous number of girls during informal rush this beginning semester (keep in mind we can't recruit freshman until the spring). And also, we aren't the most popular sorority because we haven't been given the resources by our national to build ourselves up. Instead of helping us, they just brought us down. But guess what? We are all much happier and less stressed with them out of our hair. While we are sad that we no longer are an active chapter, we feel that it was the best decision for us and we still love each other and continue to wear our letters. So to all of you who have a good national, feel grateful. Because we are very very jealous. And I know for a fact its not only Penn and Rutgers, other Phi Sig chapters feel the same. Obviously when so many people agree, then its not all our problem, National has to change its ways.

aephi alum · #13 11-07-2002, 02:23 PM

Something not too dissimilar happened at my school about 12 years ago. An NIC fraternity was unhappy with the ethnicity/religion of many of the brothers at my school's chapter, so they reorganized the chapter and asked all but a handful of the brothers to go alum. All but one of the brothers who were invited to remain active, deaffiliated instead, and the group started a local fraternity that is now a chapter of a different NIC fraternity.

I wonder - do the Phi Sigs at Penn have any plans to organize into a local sorority?

As for them continuing to serve on Panhel, if their terms are almost over anyway, might as well let them finish them out rather than scramble to find an interim president who will only serve for a few weeks. If they do form a local, the local can stay on as an associate member of Panhel.

Blue Violet · #14 11-07-2002, 02:35 PM

A group of guys was unhappy. Some went alum. Most disaffiliated all together. They formed a local. Then that local Joined a New National NIC? WOW! That is very modern thinking. I guess NIC doesn't have a rule like NPC about not having been initiated into two groups. Any guys out there want to be takers for this conversation? I am very intriqued

!

LeslieAGD · #15 11-07-2002, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PsychTau
If the members deaffiliated, deactivated, turned in their letters, (whatever it's called) and no longer are members of an NPC sorority, how can they continue to serve on Panhellenic Council? I understand that this is a nice thing to do for continuity of the Council and a show of support for these ladies, but it's not logical. An independent can't serve on Panhellenic Council. . .wouldn't they be considered independents?

I was thinking the same thing. The only rational thing reason seems to be that since it's almost mid-November already, and elections have probably started, it will be easier to just allow the officers to finish the month.

I'm also wondering if the ex-members are still living in the house.