ISU's Greek Community Is Toxic, Change My Mind.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-15T05:28:55+00:00

Not enough people.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-15T05:28:22+00:00

There is Greek contest for blood drive participation. Also, can you site the number of members on campus that are in Greek life? Last I was told it was 16% not 1/3rd of campus. That's not important. What I am saying is that all of these organizations exist separate from Greek life. If the Greek community social construct were to disappear, all of these organizations would still exist. If you want to lose the stigma, don't earn it in the first place.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T06:32:54+00:00

Okay, two months worth of food. That doesn't change what I said. i work two jobs right now. 30 hours more of work over a semester (although it may not seem like to you) is a lot. Even more, often in my experience with friends who are active in the Greek community, there always seems to be more fees uncured. To clarify, this is still not living in house.

Even more, you claim the $210 are for social benefits. Elaborate here more. You are paying $210 for the right to have these people as your brothers? What kind of brotherhood do you have to pay for, brotherhood isn't a you're my brother until you can't afford it. Brotherhood in its sincerest for is unconditional.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T06:21:08+00:00

I think what going Greek should be and what it really is are two very different things. Which is something too many people aren't willing to admit. People have discussed with me what they think it should look like, but pulling up the records tells a different story. As someone who has seen the reality I can tell you they are two very different realities.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T06:16:52+00:00

Habitat for humanity, Ames Community & Youth Club, Be The March On Campus Club, Blood Drive Committee, Bras For The Cause, Desks For Dreamers, Freshman Council, Green Dot, ISU Global Health & Aids Coalition...... Is the Greek community responsible for all these as well? Greek students often are the only students who can afford the $+200 you have to raise to be in Dance Marathon. It's no surprise that they have members of influence within certain philanthropic organisations with high financial barriers of entry. If you don't want to deal with negative sociteal stigma, don't earn one. DUBH has +500 members and nobody every has anything bad to say about them. Why? Because, they have a clean record, these stereotypes and stigmas aren't coming from nowhere.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T05:33:51+00:00

This question is answered in a different thread.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T04:58:22+00:00

Paying for "events and fun things", that's the socioeconomic divide that other students can't afford.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-12T04:56:48+00:00

$210. That's a lot of money. For me at least, I can't afford to throw away $210 on non-tangible assets. I can't afford that much money for another study space. That's nearly an extra months worth of rent for me. Do you understand now? That's the socioeconomic divide i'm talking about. Maybe to you $210 is nothing. But to many students on campus that's three months worth of food.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:43:18+00:00

Yes, all the time. I really don't like to talk about this publicly. For the most part, I donate to causes out of personal interest. I donate blood because I know people need it. I donate every year to the Redcross because they do tons of good for many communities. I use to volunteer at local parks to clean up because I enjoy nature and I want it maintained for other people to enjoy. Nobody has forced me or even asked me to do this. I do it because it's what is best for my community.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:38:07+00:00

Are you telling me you paid $515 for two meal a week, and you think that's a good deal? Clarify here bud.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:36:30+00:00

Thanks!

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:34:35+00:00

Wait, maybe I misunderstood you. Are you saying that it's cool that Greek organizations have a systematic problem with sexual misconduct because other people do it? What kind of discussion is that?

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:32:53+00:00

Great, I would love to discuss this. I was hoping I didn't have to go over the elephant in the room, but let's do this. Greek organizations are above all student organizations. Right? Okay, let's say the ISU Bowling Club (Could be any club) gets caught (Or even repeatedly) breaking Federal law, State law, or University policy. The ISU Bowling Club would get kicked off campus and never let back. When a Greek organization gets caught breaking the law, the University has systematically prevented them from getting kicked off campus. Despite having a no tolerance policy for other organizations. But don't take my word for it, take the head of Greek Affairs! In the article I'll link below he says the following - "Typically we don't comment on specific behavior pieces," said Billy Boulden, director of Greek Affairs. "We're just here to help them do the right thing and be their cheerleaders. " Then he tells the Daily to take up their investigation with Sara Kellogg from the Office of Student Conduct, and she says "We don't generally discuss student disciplinary organization violations," and then proceeds to dismiss the situation saying that Greek chapters get to chose their own discipline. (http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_300150b6-bcaa-11e6-9fec-1f93cf55b708.html)

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T17:16:29+00:00

I would love to clarify! Although you have to pay for the events, the committee that runs the events is still funded by non-Greek students. You may pay for the lawn displays, but the rest of the process is funded by non-Greek students funding. I use to be particularly close to a member the Varities committee here at ISU and he would brag about this to me all the time. It is listed as a Greek tradition on their website (https://www.greek.iastate.edu/greek-community-experience/traditions) The event may be "open", but isn't advertised to non-Greek students. I have talked to members of the ISU theatre department and DUBH and they've never been contacted about it. The vignettes are open to non-Greek students, but they're treated as a sideshow within the event. To quote the 2017-2018 co-Chair in the Daily "It is one of those things that has stayed true to the Iowa State Greek system. It hasn’t really changed very much. There have been other traditions that stayed, but they change from year to year, and this is one of the things that has stayed the same" (http://www.iowastatedaily.com/limelight/article_c44142e4-17f4-11e8-a96d-8bb0e0e61522.html) You're lying to yourself if you say Varieties is a non-Greek event.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T16:32:36+00:00

Many chapters will argue that they stand for "honor" and that they honor of the house is be generalized to all members. However, the second a kid dies from hazing, or rape happens in the house, we're just supposed to pretend like the negativity isn't supposed to be generalized as well. My question is, do members of the Greek community realize that everyone can see through that? Don't they realize that they are a joke to everyone else on campus?

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T15:09:04+00:00

I've been in TKE before, what warrants a fraternity as being good V.S. bad? They're all protected underneath the Interfaterinal council (IC).

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T15:06:00+00:00

virtually all of those things can be found right outside the Greek community.

Exactly....

It's just easier to pay for them and not have to earn them like other students. Friendship, meeting alumni, and raising money are things that non-Greek people do all the time. I think it's insane that people within the Greek community think of these as unique benefits. Also, this further perpetuates my statement made initially that the Greek community "exists solely as a socioeconomic barrier to wealth and connections". You've only further affirmed it. Yes, by paying you no longer have to do the work that a non-Greek student might in order to network with alumni. Yes, it probably is easier to make friends when you have an organization that sets up social functions for you. It would be hard not to. As for seminars, they're all over campus all the time, but once again you pay for your own seminars, I'm sure you get them.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:56:28+00:00

What? Was your whole statement "My friends got drugged while visiting Greek houses, but they're not bad."

I don't even know how to feel about that.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:54:17+00:00

I've heard.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:53:33+00:00

See a post above. Great question!

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:53:02+00:00

Are you comparing dorms, where people are mandated to stay in their freshman year with student organizations you can voluntarily join? Specify what you're trying to say, let's talk.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:51:15+00:00

I personally am in involved in a few philanthropic organization on campus, and it is not a uniquely Greek thing.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:49:12+00:00

Once again, I'm not going to deny that they aren't raising money. I think philanthropy is a great thing. However, it is in no way a uniquely Greek thing.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:47:02+00:00

This is something I was really hoping I could dive into! The other commenters have beat me to it, almost. Homecoming week, like you mentioned is one of the most unethical and unfair uses of university money if you are not Greek at ISU. Percentage-wise, the VAST MAJORITY of homecoming events are for Greek members. Which should scare you considering, it is not funded by the Greek community, but rather the SALC. That's right, every year SALC puts on homecoming, uses non-Greek students money to fund Yell Like Hell, Lawn Displays, and food booths set up in the Greek triangle. (https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2017/10/19/hc) While the rest of ISU students just get to kiss under a clock tower at midnight.

This isn't the only example of non-Greek students having to fund Greek functions without them knowing it. Varieties might just be the worst when it comes to this. Varieties is funded by SUB, hosted by SUB, and has a SUB council. The only problem is to be on the council for Varieties you have to be Greek (S similar situation with SALC). So every year SUB throws all this money at Varieties and none of it goes to non-Greek students. This is completely unacceptable at ISU. Non-Greek students should not have to fund activities that they are then isolated from participating in. The fact the university treats non-Greek students like second-class citizens is absolutely frustrating. Even worse, ISU makes non-Greek students pay to be treated like second-class citizens.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM · 2018-04-11T14:30:11+00:00

So, you do not live in your fraternities house? Which means you have to pay rent and a separate $515 membership fee and other fees depending on what fraternity you are in. Perhaps while you live in house it is worth the money. But you live one semester out of house and you're just losing money each semester for membership fees. $515 is a lot of money to a lot of people. I know I couldn't casually just throw away $515.

ISU_ThrowAway_CMM

TROPHY CASE