How we're not congruent. Take: 2

So I guess none of us were honest enough in our last posts about our organizations apparently, so let's give this another go shall we?

Now, just focusing on how Pike is not congruent with the values of our mission statement is very tough because truthfully, we do not put emphasis on our mission statement. The bulk of our values come from what we're taught in ritual, our "basic obligations" as a Pike, and our motto, "once a pike, always a pike." But for the sake of this assignment I'll try to base my post off of our mission statement. Our statement is as follows,

"Pi Kappa Alpha will set the standard of integrity, intellect, and achievement for our members, host institutions, and the communities in which we live.

Now I know in the prompt about this topic it seemed the direction we were supposed to talk about was how we aren't congruent basically in how we're acting in social settings. I'd say that we all have pretty similar mission statements so I'm going to break it down like it. First Paragraph is what I feel Pike is not being congruent with and the second will be what I feel greek life isn't being congruent on.

So as far as Pike goes, there are a few simple things I think we're not doing as well as we should. 

1) Intellect. We simple aren't getting the overall chapter grades. Yes we have plenty of people that are getting awesome grades, and everyone in between but I feel we need to have more of a strive, myself included to want to better ourselves. Not for greek life, but for ourselves. I couldn't care less how people judge us based on our house grades because I don't believe are a pinnacle issue within greek life. You need good grades regardless of fraternity or sorority. When it comes down to it we're all here for the same reason...to graduate with a degree and get a job. You join a greek organization to enhance your college experience, not just so you have mandatory study hours every week.

2)Philanthropy. I think we do not have a good enough system set up that allows us to give enough back. Granted we've had some unforeseen problems that have set us back in this category, but it doesn't change the fact that we could be better. Yes we have philanthropy events but I feel they could be so much bigger and we could give back so much more.

3) Setting the standard. I feel like that's pretty self explanatory. As of right now we're the fraternity  trying to knock off the goliaths of greek life in every aspect and until we're king of the hill I will nto be satisfied. Setting the standard doesn't mean trying to match what other people do, but rather having them try to do what you're doing.

No as far as the greek community as a whole goes...

1)Grades....how many fraternity houses have terrible grades, some not even making an effort it seems. I understand there are plenty of distractions in college and certainly greek life, but there's no reason certain people should have such low grades. We're supposed to be better than the rest of the student body. (I mean that in the least asshole sounding way as possible) We're supposed to be the ones that set the bar and set ourselves apart from the rest.

2) Bashing Each Other. I know this one is a little tough because greek life is one giant competition when you think about it. Each organization is competing for the best pledges, best pairings, best TG partners. but at some point we need to realize that when it comes down to it we all have the same basic principles and while yes, some are more successful than most, there's no need to get confrontational about it.

3) Being stupid. This also needs no explanation. How many frats are on social probation/suspension this quarter? A decent amount. This is a tough thing for me to say because while I personally don't have a problem with doing some of the things that would get a group on so pro, the cold hard facts is that you can't anymore. I know it's hard to listen to alumni at tailgates talk about all the crazy stuff they'd do to pledges, or the crazy things that would happen at parties, but the reality is times have changed and OSU isn't messing around.  

This isn't greek life in the south where rich alumni rule the schools and you can get away with whatever you want. This is northern greek life at a school where around 10% student body is greek. You're not going to get any love from the administration and definitely not cut any slack when it comes to breaking rules. 
4) Get Involved. I know there are a good number of people in greek organizations that are only involved in that organization. I feel like people need to get involved more around campus. Not only does it get greek life's name out there but it gives us a better name when they see Joe Schmo frat boy as the president of some club/organization as opposed to Joe Schmo frat boy drunk as hell at the bar being obnoxious.




I think these are all good things people should work on. You'll notice I didnt focus on the social aspect of thigns too much because I don't have a problem with it. We're all in social fraternities, with the key word being SOCIAL. I don't understand how TG themes being a little racy conflict with a social organization's mission statement. It's college man, people just want to have fun. You'll also notice that I didn't say anything about not acting stereotypical because that doesn't bother me either. Not every greek organization acts in the same manner, but I would make the argument that each one has a multitude of personalities and not one stereotype like many may think. Brass tax OSU students already have a preconceived notion of what greek life is based on the media and things like that. If people chose to act in such a manner, go for it. If it attracts the type of recruits you want and it works for you then by all means continue being the stereotype. I feel like it hards to understand the stereotype here at OSU because our greek community is so diverse compared to many other communities at different schools. The stereotype comes from rich students who join greek life looking down on "GDI's" for not being them. A lot of schools' greek communities often times are more of the richer students who can afford such high dues and still have expendable cash so often times their personalities match that. Whereas here at OSU I feel many people in every organization are in extremely different financial situations and have any different kinds of personalities. So I can see where these people would get upset at people who might be looked upon as giving greek life a bad name, but I just don't think it's a huge deal. Most times people are acting stupid when their drunk anyway. Thousands of students act drunk on campus every weekend but since we're attached to national organizations we get branded. Doesn't exactly seem fair does it?