<p>Do I want to rush a fraternity? Are you kidding me? They are the source of elitism and they foster such superficial values in their brother/sisterhood. I have desire at all to rush a frat, and will never do so in my lives. I educate people who might be interested in rushing frats/sor. that it’s probably one of the worst decisions you can make in college life. You will lose your own, self uniqueness and individuality. Your life revolves around popularity contests.</p>
<p>Actually, it does not rely on ethnicity. It does not necessarily rely on your background or your look.</p>
<p>"The choir, the student newspaper do sometimes require a previous background in the area, and student newspapers sometimes require a certain belief set depending on where you are…</p>
<p>The greek scene is a voluntary association, as are other clubs and organizations…"</p>
<p>Voluntary? What? Did I hear this right? Yes, of course you volunteer yourself to rush. And then you’re being judged on your ethnicty, background and looks. Three things they usually look for in sororities at UVA:
- Looks (if you’re not pretty you can’t be a DG!!!)
- Money (if your parents are rich assses, you’re in)
- Ethnicity - there is no denying that white people form the majority of these elitist organizations.</p>
<p>tennis, you obviously have no idea what you’re talking about. That’s great that your educating people about something you have no experience with… It really is very dependent on where you go to school. At some schools what you describe is probably true, however at most schools your assumptions are way off base. I joined a Fraternity at Carnegie Mellon and we were about 40 percent white and had many Asians, African Americans, Indians, and Hispanics. We also had people from many different majors, including art ,drama, engineering, and physics. The decision to admit someone was based on whether or not they were fun to hang out with and not race or looks.</p>
<p>TennisCraze, not all organizations look for potential members that are rich, pretty, and popular. Take me for example, if you saw me in person, you wouldn’t believe that I am a member of a Greek-Lettered Organization. I wasn’t miss popularity in high school, or in college for that matter, neither I nor anyone in my family is rich, and I’m not even white! </p>
<p>But when I was looking for organizations to rush last year, I decided to stay far away from any sorority that appeared to value looks, ethnicity and familial wealth over the inner qualities of a person. I avoided all “white girl” sororities, as I had no interest in them. I eventually rushed a co-educational, multicultural organization, whose members dedicated themselves to serving the disadvantaged youth in the community. After attending their informational meeting, I decided to take the steps to becoming a member of their organization. </p>
<p>Now, almost a year later, I can say that my organization does not judge rushees based on shallow criteria such as looks (being pretty does not mean being able to do the work the organization requires), familial wealth and connections (you’re the one who’s rushing, not your parents; Besides most of my Siblings have to work for a living :)), or ethnicity (Since of our most important values is Diversity, now what sense would it make if we discriminated based on ethnicity.)</p>
<p>constant: that is a good read but, he isnt really referring to the co-ed non party based frats/sororities.</p>
<p>i dont have the $ for a frat so i didnt join but joining a frat has helped some of my friends boost their self esteem.</p>
<p>I would never join a sorority because, to be totally honest, I think one roomate will be enough estrogen for me. The vast majority of my friends are guys. :)</p>
<p>At least around here (I am still in HS but I live in a college town), the area of campus with all the frats is actually the most dangerous part. There are riots, stabbings, car accidents, drunken displays of violence and idiocy etc. I think that a frat/sorority with a theme, e.g. based around a major, community service, ethnic/language group (I know girls who live in a Russian sorority) are okay. Frats that exist purely so that a bunch of guys can get drunk and compete with the other frats (this goes for sororities too but there isn’t an abbreviation for that) and make themselves feel like big men are pointless and wrong, not because they are elitist, but because they encourage a group mentality with no real point or focus of any merit.</p>
<p>Yeah GLOs whose only purpose is to drink, smoke up, and f–k are pretty damn pointless. Which is why I and most other members of Cultural GLOs avoided them like the plague. I joined my organization because, I knew after I crossed (finished pledging), the letters I’d have would have a higher meaning than being able to party with my prophytes. Now, I’m not saying that my organization doesn’t throw parties or attends the parties of other GLOs, because we do. We enjoy having good time on occasion, but that is not the reason why we were founded five years ago. We were founded on the bases of Leadership, Diversity, Unity and Respect. </p>
<p>As for the frats in a bad neighborhood on campus thing, I can’t tell you anything about that, since there are no on-campus Greek housing at SUNY Buffalo. Most organizations with houses own or rent them in a working class neighborhood adjacent to our South Campus. And even then, many Greeks chose to reside in the dorms or apartments on campus.</p>
<p>If you don’t really want to “go Greek” that’s fine. But at least try to find some student-association club that fits your academic or leisurely interests. School can be boring if you don’t do anything outside of class, homework, and studying for exams.</p>
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<p>Can’t speak for sorrorities, but fraternities–even at schools in the South–have members that are:
- Average looking.
- That don’t have a lot of money.
- That are of different ethnicities.</p>
<p>You are stereotyping in the extreme. All clubs make judgement calls about individuals, either before they join, or after they are members. Even in student government, honor societies (which do have qualifications that one must meet), sports, etc…there are issues with exclusion based on percieved looks, ethnicity, popularity, et al.</p>
<p>Any body or group that is selective (or chooses leaders in a vote) can be, according your definition…elitist. Talk about about what you know. Did you rush? Did you look at a variety of houses? Do you have any friends in the Greek system? If you don’t, go through the process or get to know some greeks–before making blanket judgements about individuals within a social group.</p>
<p>Fraternities and sorrorities are generally philanthropic, get higher grades, and are more involved in their community then those that are unaffiliated, unless they are in a small school.</p>
<p>The idea that it’s only about socializing is short-sighted and misguided.</p>
<p>tennis, even UVA has some unprestigious greek organizations…like, say, GPB.</p>
<p>I didn’t rush but I don’t have a problem with the Greek system. Why are you so bitter? Which one rejected you?</p>
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<p>I am a minority student in a sorority, and I have NEVER felt judged based on my ethnicity. While it is true that Greek houses at my school at mostly white, the percentage of minorities in houses is probably about the same as the percentage of minorities who rush.</p>
<p>yes fraternities and sororities are elitist… as are most groups, there would be no purpose to have the group if members didnt have to meet some requirements to become/stay active, otherwise its called general population… not liking us because were elitist it kind of not liking your school for dividing the campus by year, or not liking people at other schools that you werent accepted to</p>
<p>I am not bitter at all. And I won’t ever rush, or wish to have any affiliations with the Greek system. I’m just pointing out how they encourage elitism and segregation in the university.</p>
<p>Your advocating discrimination against the individuals and groups in the greek system with respect to student activities. By your definition of exclusion…you could by definition be fowarding elitism as well, since your belief implies that your stance it the ‘best’ one…</p>
<p>The question is still: If you have not investigated in the greek system by rushing or have no associations with any greek student, how can you judge ALL the different houses, on different campuses, and make blanket statements like that above?</p>
<p>He can’t. I’m surprised he’s even going to a university that has any sort of admissions requirements. What elitist pigs those schools are! Requiring students to score x amount on tests, have a certain GPA, who factor race and/or athleticisim into their decision on whether to admit someone or not. Then they compete with each other in various contexts simply for bragging rights. When the real rivals compete, the drunken brawls and violent heckling that ensue are simply unacceptable.</p>
<p>So Greek students are elitist? Is that a bad thing? Going through pledge quarter builds character and allows you to become a true leader. I know way too many students that hide their personalities and passions. College isn’t about being a sheltered child anymore. If you look at the CEOs of top companies, you will see that a majority are fraternity and sorority alumni. Sure, fraternities are elitist groups but that doesn’t mean they don’t want anyone else but their members to be a part of their organization. Show me your passion and hard work and I’ll respect you. Or you can wander back in to childhood and pretend like people in the real world are just going to give you everything you ever wanted.</p>
<p>I think the OP is bitter that you can’t just sign your name on an intent form and and be able to wear the letters of a respectable greek-lettered organization the next day. He doesn’t understand that greeks got to be greek because they went through a rigorous leadership-type course called a pledge program, not because they signed their name on the dotted line.</p>
<p>unless theyre tke…</p>
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<p>no kidding…</p>