Dynamics of Greek Life on campus

[Coquiporvida]

I have had this conversation with my sisters as well as other multicultural greeks as well as many IFC and PHA greeks. The dynamics of greek life definitely differ from university, to university. There can be a sense of unity felt, or a great division. At schools that are more heavy populated, and have a diversity of greeks, the experience may be differ greatly from a university who may not have this.

Missouri State by far has the most greek chapters the South West region, but my experience as a multi-cultural greek definitely differs. The dynamic of greek life at MSU has an ayre of disunity. Rarely do the chapters fratenize with others who are not similar to them. To put it simply, it is very elitist, especially amoung the multicultural greek life. So my question is, what is the dynamic of greek like at your respective college or university? Is the unity, or division.

[sjsoffer]

Well I go to Missouri State, so I'm guessing we have similar greek systems Only I'm not in a multicultural sorority.

[cattleprod]

Well I had never heard of missouri state until this thread much less their greek system so I doubt they have "the most greek chapters in the southwest region" unless the "southwest region" refers to southwestern missouri.

[Coquiporvida]

To reply to the previous thread, Im not just refering to multicultural sororities or franternities on MSU campus. I mean the perception of greek life on other colleges and universities as compared to MSU. It is my personal experience and observation as to the dynamic of greek life here.

And to the last post to clarify, it is the southwestern region. We are in the buckle of the bible belt, not very many surrounding universities even allow greek chapters on their campuses. I know for sure that we have the highest multicultural greek population in the region.

[Kansas City]

I attended a regional university in Missouri too. First, I wouldn't say that MoStU has "the most chapters" but maybe the University at Springfield is the largest school in the SW region of Missouri. Second, as you explained in your original post, chapters and Greek life are very different from chapter to chapter and campus to campus so I'm not really sure exactly what you are asking for. At the school I attended and now advise a chapter at, the NPC and IFC chapters were very unified and created a very positive Greek life environment. However, my campus had very few multi-cultural organizations in the mid-90's. Those that did exist had very low membership and seemed to choose not to participate actively with the NPC and IFC groups.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Coquiporvida

And to the last post to clarify, it is the southwestern region.

But when you say "southwestern region" and leave out "of Missouri," I'm betting most people had a moment of trying to figure out what Missouri State is doing in Arizona or New Mexico.

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But when you say "southwestern region" and leave out "of Missouri," I'm betting most people had a moment of trying to figure out what Missouri State is doing in Arizona or New Mexico.

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But when you say "southwestern region" and leave out "of Missouri," I'm betting most people had a moment of trying to figure out what Missouri State is doing in Arizona or New Mexico.

I'm from MO, and it took me a while to figure out she meant SW region of MO only. Springfield is (I believe) less than 3 hours from Fayetteville AR, and within 4 of Stillwater OK, Columbia MO and Lawrence KS. So it's not crazy isolated within it's 'region', but I guess if the region is SWMO only, then sure. But then there is also only one largish system in Central MO, one in NE MO, one in NW MO, one in SE MO...

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by pbear19

I'm from MO, and it took me a while to figure out she meant SW region of MO only. Springfield is (I believe) less than 3 hours from Fayetteville AR, and within 4 of Stillwater OK, Columbia MO and Lawrence KS. So it's not crazy isolated within it's 'region', but I guess if the region is SWMO only, then sure. But then there is also only one largish system in Central MO, one in NE MO, one in NW MO, one in SE MO...

Yep ... now for your Missouri geography lesson for the day as it relates to the university system:

Central MO - University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University) in Warrensberg, MO
NE MO - Truman State University (formerly Northeast Missouri State University, changed name to become more "selective", e.i. "we're going to charge more for tuition") in Kirksville, MO
NW MO - Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO
SW MO - The OP's school, Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University, changed their name to sound as big as Mizzou, but they aren't) in Springfield, MO
SE MO - Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO

Univeristy of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia, MO is a Big 12 school and probably the largest university in the state with regards to students and a Greek system.

[gtdxeric]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

Yep ... now for your Missouri geography lesson for the day as it relates to the university system:

Don't forget UM-Rolla. 5000 men and 500 women can't be wrong!

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by gtdxeric

Don't forget UM-Rolla. 5000 men and 500 women can't be wrong!

I also forgot Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph which was a "State College" until they changed their name what, 2 or 3 years ago?

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by gtdxeric

Don't forget UM-Rolla. 5000 men and 500 women can't be wrong!

You mean the Missouri University of Science and Technology, right?

ETA - I think the bottom line here is that the state of MO is not devoid of greek systems, nor is the area immediately surrounding Springfield. I guess I don't have anything else to add to the rest of the OP.

[DSTCHAOS]

Random:

Just finished reading Mizzou's Greek Life page. They definitely keep people informed about what's been going on event and disciplinary action-wise.

[Coquiporvida]

To clarify, I was inquring about the dynamic of greek life as a whole at other colleges and universities. I know my experience as being greek at MSU. I wanted to know other peoples experience. Is there unity, an elitist attitude amoung the greek population as a whole?

And yes, MSU is in the Southwestern region of Mo. Just to clear it all up.

[Coquiporvida]

And I know that Mo is not DEVOID of greek systems. I was saying that in the region many universities like Evangel, CBC, SBU do not allow greek chapters or do not have many greek chapters in general. MO State has the most compared to institutions surrounding us.