Sigma Alpha Epsilon is now back on campus and is recruiting this semester.
The rush schedule is as follows:
April 13th - Wings and Pizza at the House, Meet at Commons Front Desk at 7:00
April 14th - Subway Night - Meet on the 3rd Floor in the Commons at 7:00
April 15th - Invite Only Dinner at The Awe Shack, a recent alumni’s restaurant, meet at Commons Front Desk at 6:30
This is a great opportunity for any student who has been interested in joining a Greek organization. The facebook group for Spring 2007 recruitment is http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67972893490
It seems like a good idea to get Greek life together in a room to discuss its image. The image of Greeks on campus isn’t always the best and though perceptions of Greek life have often times been negative, the following facts are also true.
* 48% of all US presidents have been Greek
* 42% of US Senators are Greek
* 30% of US Congressmen/women are Greek
* 40% of all US Supreme Court Justices have been Greek
* 30% of Fortune 500 Executives are Greek
* 10% of all listed in Who’s Who are Greek
* … Greeks make up only 3% of US population
~source – NICINDY.ORG
That said, according to multiple sources, this weekend’s Greek Life Imaging workshop devolved into a real shit-show.
How do the powers at be suggest that Greek Life discuss its image?
1. Require Attendence of all new members
- Not a bad idea in theory but when new members have joined 3 days ago they probably were not planning on participating in an event on a the following weekend
2. Put up blank posters in the room and allow all people in the room to write stereotypes of the various Greek organizations on these posters
- This is reminiscent of the Diversity Day episode of “The Office” featured below
It would be dishonest to say that all Greek organizations get along perfectly. So why not provide some of them opportunities to settle scores?
Step 2 is where my sources indicate the event truly devolved. The stereotypes written on the various posters invoked wounds that are deep. The new members, probably uncertain in their decisions to join Greek Life were made uneasy by this and apparently at least one person broke down in tears.
As I look at this scene from a distance, the idea of the event, working on the image of Greek life is an admirable goal, but the event was apparently conducted in a sophomoric nature. It was destructive to Greek unity. Such events should be constructive. UMBC’s Greek community, small but strong, should stand united and work in constructive ways to build its image.
Better ways of doing this would be for one to ask the individual Greek organizations to name their own stereotypes. People will generally be honest about themselves and introspection causes many less wounds. It can cause healing and positive discussion.
Those who organized this event should consider constructive ways of examining the image of Greek Life.
Danny Burch of Lambda Chi Alpha (I believe, Danny please correct me if I am wrong.) asked me to post this for his fraternity. We are adding a Greek category so if anyone has any articles they want to submit pertaining to Greek Life, please feel free to do so.
Monday, September 8th:
Meeting at 7 PM in Commons
Applebee’s following the meeting
Tuesday, September 9th:
Pool Night in the Commons Gameroom at 7 PM
Wednesday, September 10th:
Capture the Flag at 9 PM
Thursday, September 11th:
Poker and Dinner at 6 PM
Friday, September 12th:
Invitation Only Dinner
Monday, September 15th:
Meeting at 7 PM in Commons
Applebee’s following the meeting
Tuesday, September 16th:
Hypnosis at 9 PM
Wednesday, September 17th:
Soccer at 9 PM
Thursday, September 18th:
Dinner & a Movie at 6 PM
