1. Greek Life: Sorority Literacy
Amy Flynn

2. Definition of Sorority Discourse History
Overview
Definition of Sorority Discourse
History
Regular activities of Sorority Women
What Sorority’s Stand For
Society Perceptions Of Sorority Women
The Future of Sororities
I want to point out that regions in the United States are very different when it comes to sororities. At the University of Cincinnati we have extremely stick bylaws and standing rules that are enforced by out PanHellenic Council and we have a very different approach to many ways of doing things. The similarities are extensive but we can absolutely no means haze. I am strictly basing all of this research and project off of UC Greek Life and Students here at the University.

3. Sorority Discourse
A group of university women that come together for social reasons. Recruitment Rituals and Sisterhood It’s a discourse within a discourse A language of its own (Its all Greek to Me)
Now this has changed in many ways throughout the years. This first statement is in fact the most basic definition of a sorority. Sorority’s correlate strongly with Gee’s theories of acceptance, to become a member there is an entire process that one must go through. Recruitment which is usually 4 to 5 days long, where one meets all different chapters at an organization and then slowly narrows down her choices and in the end the sorority must choose the girl and vice versus because each value set and personality differs from chapter to chapter. When initiated secrets and ritual knowledge are passed down and remain only with the sisters. Therefore the discourse in exclusive and only the members of sororities fall into the Greek community discourse. Only initiated members are supposed to wear the letters of your organization symbolizing what your affiliation is. One is always representing their sisters. There is even a specific lingo that comes with the territory.
Bid- Offer to Join
Rush-

4. Women formed these “Secret Societies’ Form various motives
Past
Women formed these “Secret Societies’ Form various motives
The main idea was to have a self governing organization
Infiltrating particular social circles
Female identity among male dominated society
In the beginning sororities were first formed to get women into specific positions in which to meet men. Typically members were white women with a higher class level because they were the first to attend universities. However some members had other motives. At first all of these organizations were considered fraternities and at one time were banned at certain universities and they returned as sororities. On UC’s campus there are a number of National PanHellenic Council sororities, religious sororities, honor sororities Asian and African American sororities.

5. Present
Mission Statement (Example) Fraternity is an organization of women, which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development and an understanding of and an allegiance to positive ethical principles.
This is an example of a Sorority Mission Statement today. Since the founding of sororities this has evolved drastically, pulling in the values of community involvement, leadership and scholarship while still maintaining the emphasis on the social aspects. Every Greek organization has there own particular set of values that is characteristic of their community of sisters.

6. Interviewee #1 Interviewee #2 Outsider Questions: Cost
The feeling of insincerity and fake
Interviewee #2
Don’t really know about it
Stories of Hazing/Partying
Questions:
Would you join a sorority? Why or why not?
What is who perception of a sorority girl?
Where do you believe you got this perception?
(last two answered on next slide)
Both Interviewees were taken from different groups of people. Unfortunately they seemed hesitant to truly speak their minds due to them knowing I was an active Greek member, so I have that for future reference. Throughout both interviews it was clear the apprehension of the unknown. One really didn’t know a lot about the organization but rumors and media seemed to get the best of her. The other one was intrigued but the cost of the sorority deferred her intrigue.

7. Getting the “Mrs.” Degree Hazing Daddy’s Credit Card
Outsider
Stereotypes/Media
Drinking/Partying
“Paying for friends”
Getting the “Mrs.” Degree
Hazing
Daddy’s Credit Card
As with any discourse there are insiders and outsiders. Greek life has been under scrutiny for many years and the media does not help the cause. Films like Legally Blonde, House Bunny, Sydney White and Dying to Belong along with television shows like Greek. This is also marketed in the news and newspapers about the death due to hazing or poor behavior by sorority women. Stereotypes are easily formed from this media giving an overall negative image that overlooks all the good that comes from this discourse.

8. Interviewee #2 Interviewee #4 Insider Questions:
Involvement in so much more.
Opportunities for career connections
Exposure to diversity of involvement
Scholarship Opportunities
Self Governing organizations
Interviewee #4
Sisterhood Bonds
Volunteering for Communities
Held to a high standard
Questions:
1. Why did you join a sorority?
2. What benefits do you feel come from being involved in a Greek organization? Negatives?
3.What do you think are the Societal perceptions of Greek Life?
Both said negatives are the stereotypes or sororities and the misguided chapters that give us a bad name, the same perceptions as the previous interviewees had. They were honest is saying that some stereotypes are seen on other campuses and even some here at Cincinnati but the stereotype trumps all of the good that come from a sorority. Although each woman has different motives for joining a sorority they take advantage of the opportunities available.

9. Lots of involvement within chapter Requirements are extensive
Insider
Lots of involvement within chapter
Requirements are extensive
Dues
Grades
Standards
Attendance
A chapter is a self governing body, therefore it requires a hefty amount of time energy, money and leadership. As a governing body they hold their members accountable for there actions and take measures such as probation and dismissal of chapter very seriously. Within the chapter there is always room for growth. Being the current Treasurer I personally see everyday the needs of the sorority and the cash flows. Many people think that sororities are all rich but almost all that money is spent running the chapter, supporting sisters in need and giving to philanthropies.

10. Statistics of Development
About % of the total full-time undergraduate student population are Greek
Raised $53,404 for Make-A-Wish Foundation for Greek Week
Volunteered over 30,000 community service hours and raised over $100,000 for other philanthropies
Had nearly 700 programs and events
Attained a All-Greek GPA, exceeding the All-University average
1,364 (63%) of Greeks were in one or more other campus or community organizations, and hold over 600 leadership positions
Over $100,000 in merit- and need-based scholarships was awarded by our fraternities and sororities to their members
13 of our fraternities and sororities were recognized by their national fraternity or other inter/national fraternal conference for organizational and individual member excellence.

11. Future of Sororities is ever evolving
The identity of each Greek Organization is different in each organization
The number of chapters and new charters is ever growing
Here at the University of Cincinnati the number of women going through Formal Sorority Rush is getting larger every year
At UC the “small” Greek community impacts the Campus and City tremendously

12. Sources
Interviews with 2 Non affiliated and 2 Members "Greek Life, University of Cincinnati." Greek Life, University of Cincinnati. University of Cincinnati. Web. 06 June <