CSNbbs

My brother was President of SAE at Rhodes when he was a student there.....



MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A fraternity at Rhodes College rolled out the welcome mat for incoming female students. It was a banner letting parents know just how welcome their daughters are but for some it seems to be a sign that's a little too inviting.

It may not have been as bodaciously gross as a former staple of the collegiate experience. Not as wild and wooly an exhibition of previous sophomoric stunts.

But, on the stoic campus of prestigious Rhodes College in Memphis the "questionable" welcome back greeting extended last weekend by the members of the school's Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity apparently scored high on the politically incorrect meter.

"I think it definitely is in really bad taste. It certainly doesn't represent the view of the rest of the college," said George Williford, fellow Rhodes student.

"They probably just made a mistake. Thought it was funny… but," said Stephanie Gregory, a Rhodes College student.

And it's that "but" that apparently put the "butts" of the brotherly SAE's in hot water. Though a call to Rhodes College administration was not returned and the fraternity president couldn't be reached FOX13 News learned the banner drew a critical eye from a campus professor who expressed his displeasure with the "message" he thought it implied.

However, despite being fined an undisclosed amount, the greeting wasn't finally taken down outside the frat house until Wednesday when FOX13 News started poking around for more information. As for student reactions we got, well, they weren't all totally aghast at the no doubt comedic attempt by the otherwise stellar frat.

"It's offensive. But, I think they meant it was as a joke and they didn't mean to offend anyone," said Kris Zelasco, a Rhodes College student.

"I think some parents would obviously be upset by it. But, if you've been on campus before, you know that it's just a joke. I didn't think it was funny. But, I know that a lot of other people thought it was funny," said another student.

"As a father. As a mother. As anybody. I don't think you want your daughters having that propaganda right as you get on the campus. It's not respectful and it doesn't go along with the morale of the college I think," said Maria Carteagena, a Rhodes College student.

"I'm pretty sure they got fined. Am I right? Yeah, well, they deserved it," said Williford.

Next time you guys want to do something for fun, I got two words for you- "Toga Party!"

Really now...?

I'm appalled.

What's wrong with welcoming young, lovely ladies into their fraternity? Is this not America?

Over the years, haven't the Sig Alphs and the ATO's pretty much animal housed collegiate environs?

Here should be a commandment for the greeks:

Remember Miami of Ohio, Spring, 2010. Lessons in what NOT to do when seeking respect. Don't act like you're entitled to drink, you're entitled to special treatment, you're entitled to be an a-hole, d-bag, b!tch, or prima-donna. Take advantage of opportunities to lead and portray your group (whatever it is, frat, sorority, ethnic group, club, gender, etc) in a positive light.

I could add such things as popped collars, wearing sports jerseys when you're not at a ball game, but that's going a little too far.

A sign is mild relative to what occurred at Miami/Ohio, I realize. But in light of Miami/Ohio, every greek organization, heck, every college student, is on notice whether they are paying any attention or not. Thank your fellow greeks and fellow students for increased scrutiny.

Actually now that I think of it, what could be more offensive is that it wasn't even original, lol. I think we've all seen similar signs at other colleges and on youtube and such. Copycat faux edginess? C'mon! This is Rhodes! One of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation! Can't you do better than THAT?!! We're supposed to graduate LEADERS. INNOVATORS. ROFL.

I would like to see news of extraordinary achievement, whether it's in the community, or academically, or some other laudable achievement, especially from the metro greek community. It's out there, they do volunteer work and such, many are honor students, etc. With the internet, it's easier than ever to brag about these true achievements and spread the word.

I was actually expecting a bad sign. I think it's funny (admittedly I don't have a daughter) but a little weak and lacking imagination

I'm pretty sure this sign, or a variation of it, has been put up for the past 20 years plus.

Not really sure why, now, it is a big deal.

Way too much of this "touchy-feely group hug" mentality going on nowadays.

If you're a dad worth a crap, and that sign really bothers you, you go 'welcome' yourself to every SAE there, inform them who you and your daughter are, and let them know you better not have a reason to come back and 'meet' them again.

(08-26-2010 09:17 AM)salukiblue Wrote: [ -> ]I'm pretty sure this sign, or a variation of it, has been put up for the past 20 years plus.

Not really sure why, now, it is a big deal.

Way too much of this "touchy-feely group hug" mentality going on nowadays.

If you're a dad worth a crap, and that sign really bothers you, you go 'welcome' yourself to every SAE there, inform them who you and your daughter are, and let them know you better not have a reason to come back and 'meet' them again.

And 20 years ago there was plenty of abuse (both relationship and hazing) that went either underreported or ignored. I also think it's become an issue now because people are fed up, not just with the greeks, but with the college behavior in general when it comes to abuse, date rape, drugging girls, etc. It's also a microcosm of society as a whole. And college students haven't shown they can be trusted to self-regulate on many campuses. Maybe Rhodes is different though because it's smaller. I hope so; I'm glad it isn't seen in the same light as Miami of Ohio.

The "threatening dad" approach helps if the father lives on campus, lol. And your daughter is immune to the peer pressures in college not to rat when you're sexually harrassed or even abused or threatened. But statistics show most young women are susceptible not only to those pressures but the pressure to emulate the college girls in GGW. And kids get away with a lot of horrible behavior before parents show up.

In all frankness, college guys not only would not be intimidated by that, but would be challenged by it to do what they want and get what they want and avoid consequences. Also, by the time the dad gets there, the kid has already run, or now is prepared to play the "victim" role when the dad gets his revenge.

Don't make your daughter stand out as a target. Just like not leaving valuables in your car in a big city.

Also, where does the faux tough guy pi$$ing contest exchange end? In some circles, in some areas of the country, maybe the better approach is to bring a shotgun, when you see that sign, blast it. Is that better?

I think having a higher level of scrutiny by the administration and by campus police is essential alongside the tough dad. I would rather maximize prevention so the dad doesn't have to come back. And I don't think threats these days work as well as they did 20 years ago. And I question whether they really worked, or whether back then the daughters were ashamed or embarrassed to report it. Or didn't remember because they were GHB'd.

cant spell greek without a G-E-E-K

Well Rhodes girls do put out, but you don't have to be a frat or student there to partake.

(08-26-2010 03:56 PM)poppaslaw Wrote: [ -> ]Well Rhodes girls do put out, but you don't have to be a frat or student there to partake.

Like you would know.

That's ridiculous. Does anyone remember the "Make your mother proud..." t-shirts? Those were offensive.

(08-26-2010 04:41 PM)3601 Wrote: [ -> ]That's ridiculous. Does anyone remember the "Make your mother proud..." t-shirts? Those were offensive.

I saw several girls wearing them ...



A friend of mine screen printed "save the gerbils' T-Sirts ==Pink with brown ink .. I wore it for several years .. got a lot of looks...

we're not gonna riot!
we're not gonna riot!