Fraternity/Sorority News

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2907511&page=1

Basically this article is about a sorority at DePauw University who dismissed 23 of it's members for what many said were unknown reasons. The girls they dismissed claimed to be admirable students, well rounded individuals and in good standings with their chapters. After speculation as to why they were all dismissed, they came to the conclusion that it had to be because they did not fit into the image that their sorority wanted to convey; tall, blonde and skinny.

I do not know whether what these girls said is true and they were kicked out for being overweight or of a different race, but I do know that the media has a frenzy when it gets a hold of something like this. It is something that many people think all sororities do anyways, so they love to highlight isolated cases to make it seem like it is something that happens ALL the time. The truth is, we don't know why these girls were kicked out? There is nothing from the Delta chapter of Delta Zeta saying they have no reason for being dismissed, we are only shown what these girls assume. The piece portrays not only this sorority in a bad light, but greek life as a whole. Once again, it only picks up the negatives and fails to seek another side. No where in the article does it say they reached out to DZ for a comment or spoke with members who weren't asked to leave, so regardless of the truth, it appears as if they are a shallow group of girls who wanted to make their sorority more appealing to fraternities.

Incidents like this are so damaging to sorority life. They make girls think they have no place in a sorority if they aren't built like barbie and made of money. The reality is I laugh when a girl says "I don't know if greek life is for me" because I know there is such a diverse group of women on this campus and there is more than likely some place she can find a home. Articles like this make it seem like she is right. If discouraging people from rushing and ultimately decreases the amount of people involved in greek life. I think this type of thing could be avoided if there wasn't such a bias in the media and if a spotlight weren't shown onto every negative thing a greek organization does. It makes it seem like we are shallow individuals who don't care about what we stand for, only what we look like, and I think that is a grave misrepresentation of the greek life I know and love.

Bystander Effect

I think it's safe to say that it's incredibly difficult to be a voice of reason in a crowd of people who don't want to hear the truth. I know I for one have a hard time speaking up in these types of situtations because I don't want to step on anyones toes and I don't want to have people upset with me. Greek life is no different. In fact, it's more difficult for me to find my voice in a group of people that I know I have to be friends with long-term in college, and these girls are my sisters. However, just because I long to fit in with these girls, it doesn't mean that I approve of all their actions, in fact there are many girls who feel the same way. None of us speak up though and it has many negative implications on our my sorority, and it continues to reinforce stereotypes that many of us are working so hard to break away from.

I love my sorority and I love my sisters, I have to say that first because I don't want people to get the impression that I am unhappy or that I am judging this group of girls. I am optimistic but at the same time, I know everywhere I go, when I am wearing my letters or a shirt that affiliates me with greek life, I am being judged and so is anyone else in my shoes. The people who know nothing about greek life see our actions and group us all together so we all have to be on our best behavior all the time. An example of the bystander effect is when we are at socials and TG's. There is a member who is constantly embarrassing with her actions and her words and despite the fact that EVERYONE notices it, nothing is said to her about her inappropriate behavior. It's hard because no one wants to be "that girl" who rains on someone elses parade,  but that is what needs to be done. What ends up happening is people that people look down on her. If we're around people outside of greek life, they assume that we all find that acceptable, which we don't. It reflects badly on my sorority, which I love, and on greek life, which I also love. I think there are a lot of girls in my shoes, ones who assume if the behavior is unacceptable, than someone else will tell her. It doesn't seem like anyone wants to stand up and say something so they pass the buck. It's not right and it can be very damaging to not only that girl, but the entire greek community.

Oath

Oath. Hmmmm. So what comes to mind when I think of the word oath? Well I first think of witnesses in court who are being sworn in under oath which means they are leagally obligated to tell the truth. Then I think of service men and women who take oaths for things like to protect and serve. I also think about weddings since when the bride and groom are saying their vowes, they are taking an oath to each other that they will love honor and obey till death do they part. So what is an oath? What does it mean? Well, I could give a dictionary definition of oath, but I'm pretty sure most of us could find that on their own. So it goes a bit deeper if I tell you what I think an oath is and why they are so vital and important. If you think about it, an oath is nothing more than a verbal promise. If you take an oath, chances are it isn't sealed in blood, it is only as valid as the person who is speaking the oath. That means it becomes a bit of a cycle. If you are an honest person who follows through on their promises, then the oath you take has validity and it will be honored and respected however if the person taking an oath is dishonest, the oath has no backing to it. Basically to put it as plainly as possible, an oath is only as valid as your word. It is your word. It is a promise you make to a group of people or just one other person or maybe yourself.

Whats the difference between an oath and a verbal agreement? That is a tough one, but if I think an oath is built off tradition. Having a verbal agreement that says I'll pay you $1500 on the 16th of May is a set schedule whereas an oath is something that is a promise for a lifetime. One thing that everyone in this class has in common is that we all took an oath. We all made some sort of verbal agreement that is for life. The same oath that every other person who has gone before us has taken. An oath is built off tradition. It's an agreement that shows the values of a person or the organization. It is backed entirely by a persons character and it's something that the individual is responsible for and only that individual. Oaths are unique and each of our oaths were unique, yet essential and important and it is up to us as individuals to uphold. Oaths are what seperate us from each other and its what sets us apart from other organizations. We need them to keep us in tune with the values of our organizations.

Citizenship!

cit·i·zen·ship

[sit-uh-zuhn-ship, -suhn-]

–noun

1.

the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

2.

the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen: an award for good citizenship.

 

This is a dictionary definition of what citizenship means. While it seems like a very simple concept, it is actually quite complex and many things go into being a good citizen. This definition pretty much sums it up by saying doing what you need to do, when you need to do it and how it needs to be done, for the greater good of the community. Now if I really wanted to be generic I could say well I sign up for things like Flap Jack Frenzy in my sorority, so I am demonstrating good citizenship, but it is about more than that. When I am looking at what makes me a good citizen in my sorority community, I don't just want it to be about doing the bare minimum or what is required of me. I want my citizenship to be based on going above and beyond. For example, this weekend I'll be participating in AOPI's kickball tournement, and a powderpuff football game.  As an Alpha Chi, it is my responsibility to participate, but I am going above and beyond for the things I signed up for and my requirements for accountability have alread been filled. But I want to show my sisters I am someone they can count on to step up and participate. I am volunteering with recruitment because I want to be helpful. I could have joined the sorority and done the bare minimum and gotten by, but I want my experience to be something greater and that involves citizenship.

 

When it comes to Alpha Chi and their citizenship in the university as a whole, I truely feel we shine. My sisters are involved in SO many things and they are all so diverse. I know when Buckeyethon came around, I was extremely proud to call myself an Alpha Chi. My sisters helped organize the event, some were motivation leaders, and many participated, and most visited. It was so great to see them come together for a great cause and it seemed like everyone had support on each level. I feel like it was a shining example of how we do things. One of my sisters, Navy, is in the beat boxing club at OSU. When buckeye showcase came around, there were probably 50 of us on a thursday night there to support her. I guess when I look at the way we do things I would say we are honestly there for each other. My big, had to go to a pistol club meeting for one of her classes and instead of going alone, she had 4 sisters with her. The involvment one individual takes on in the university, instantly triggers others to join her. It is almost like it is contagious and I love that about my sisters. They are involved and looking to better themselves and the people around them, which I feel are elements of citizenship.

 

Greeks play a HUGE role at Ohio State. They are involved in everything from student government, to the latern, and even a few athletes. Even though I have only been involved in greek life for a short amount of time, it is already clear to me that when something needs done at OSU, the greeks are there to do it. I know from the outside looking in, greek life is a joke, but we have the highest GPA out of any other organization on campus and that is saying something. We are also an organization that does a lot of the community. I think Greek life has ALOT of stereotypes to overcome before everyone looks at the community as "a good citizen" but we're getting there. As a whole, it could not be more important for us to stay good citizens in the eyes of our peers and administraters, because one slip up from any organization on campus reflects badly on all the greek organizations. On the same note, I think the Greek organizations on campus are exceptional.  My sister is involved in Greek Life at OU and it seems every other day she is telling me about a new fraternity or sorority getting in trouble or kicked off campus. I don't hear about that at OSU. It makes me feel like we're doing something above average and exemplifies our good citizenship. I think greeks at Ohio State are following what it means to be good citizens, they are doing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and how it needs to be done and they are going above and beyond to do it!

Congruence

Walking around 15th avenue and stopping every person in greek letters really taught me a lot. Many of the greeks my group and I stopped were really excited to have a chance to talk about their chapter or organization to people who were pretty much clueless on those subjects. However, when we asked them the actual questions, they were confused. When asked 'what does your chapter spend most it's time doing?' I got a lot of laughs. That question really made these greeks sit and think. Truth is a lot of them wanted to say themed gatherings or parties and socials, but most of them realize the stereotypes that swirl around their organizations and they were hesitant to say partying is the thing they spend their time doing. Even when I was asking one of my sisters, she said TG's, sisterhoods, and philanthropy, but she stopped herself and told me to reverse the order. When I asked a gentleman in the Evans Scholars, he said parties then sports and cleaning then laughed and gave me an answer that didn't even include partying. Almost everyone I talked to gave me answers that tried to gloss over partying because they're defensive of their chapter and the greek system as a whole. I think that was really interesting. So many people think greek life is just like the movie Animal House. Yes we do throw parties and no we are not out there raising funds for our philanthropy's every day, but greek life is still an outstanding organization that is constantly thrown under the bus. I can't tell you how many people I have talked to and told I'm in a sorority and they make fun of me and say I've joined the drinking club. I think the answers I got from these greeks says they feel the same way. They didn't want to be completely honest with me on what their chapter spends its time doing because they don't want to be judged or stereotyped.
I think this exercise speaks volumes about where greek life is, and where they would like to go! I know I would like to tell people I was in Alpha Chi Omega and have them think more of me, not think I spent my college years drunk and scrapping by with my grades. I want greek life to be something that attracts and maintains the best of the best. I already feel like greek life does attract the best of the best, but I want everyone from the outside to feel that way too! The protective nature of the individuals I interviewed tells me that they want the same thing and they are sick of the stereotypes as well. I liked doing this exercise and seeing what other chapters hold near and dear to them. It was a cool experience and I felt like it put the class into perspective!

Panera Bread

This was a really difficult topic to write about because I really couldn't think of an organization that really displays their values and makes them know to the public. I think this is because that is a HUGE risk. If a company goes out and says "we value lower prices and high quality" they are going to have to stick to that or else it will be thrown in their faces. So after I combed my brain for an organization that not only preaches their values, but sticks to them as well, I came up with Panera Bread. I have worked at Panera for a little under four years! In the first week I was hired I had to go to a orientation called Planet Bread. It sounds corny and it totally is, but they made sure each new associate knew what Panera stood for. They went through the core values of the Panera coorperation, which were mainly about quality of food and service, and making sure the customer had a pleasant experience each visit. I realize every company probably has the same policy of the customer is always right, but I think Panera goes above and beyond that sometimes. When I'm eating at a Panera, probably 95% of the time I am greated with a smile and an associate who seems interested in upholding quality. That is a lot more than I would say I have any place else. I know Panera doesn't usually have commercials on TV but I think they still have a good way of expressing their values to their customers, They right their core values on the side of every bag, which I think is bold because nearly every customer will see that. I also thing they create an atmoshere where you can tell quality is first as is the customer. Most people I know don't speak so highly of a company they have worked for because once they are on the other side, they find out these values are fake and insincere. I have found that Panera is a great company that is everything they say they are.

My Values

When it comes to my beliefs and my values, I would have to say that I am someone with some pretty strong morals and values. I was raised in a Catholic family and attended a private Catholic school for all 12 years of school, so the church is what shaped my values as I grew up. I have seen my values in action from my parents. They have been married for 27 years and I think they have raised my sister and I well. Knowing where I get my values is important because I can look at my family when I am questioning my beliefs. Anyways one value that I think is most important is to be kind to all people. The Golden Rule is to treat others the way you want to be treated. I know at times it is very hard for me to live by this standard, but you never know why a person is the way they are or what their life circumstances may be. I think it's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice :-)

I played sports in high school and one important lesson I learned was to know who you represent. Since this class does have to do with greek life, I think this is an important lesson especially now. When I am out in public and I am wearing my letters, or anything that lets people know I am in the greek community, I know I am a direct reflection of them. I want to be a positive representation of myself, my family, and everything else that I may have the ability to represent. I guess then you could say I value appearances and the opinions of others. I value my friends and my family, as well as my education. I value constructive criticism and helpful and friendly advice. I place a lot of value in respect. There are many people I don't like and many views I don't agree with, however I respect them and that makes it possible for me to coexist with people who are different from me.

I think the most important thing about values is to know where yours come from. If you think about it, you learn values from the way you grow up. And every single person is different and grew up in a different way. So it would make sense then that we all value different things and for different reasons. It's difficult to remember that some times, but I think it is our resposibility as leaders and productive members of society to try to remember that.