Miami University Stereotype?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Miami University - Ohio
21

<p>As a parent of a current Miami student I have been watching this thread closely. I do not know for certain what occurred at these events, as is true for all of us here, I would assume. I also read with disgust the stories of the intoxication and destruction at these hotels and museums. I spoke to my D about this. She conceded that her own sorority might also be reprimanded for the behavior of some 15 students, (sorority sisters and their dates) on one of two senior buses returning from their formal. Sure enough as she predicted her sorority was put on a two year probation. Being an underclassman in a large sorority, she saw nothing offensive happen that night at the formal and is not even sure who the offenders were. According to reports, this group of seniors had alcohol on the mini bus. They were of legal age, but the bus company did not permit alcohol on the bus, so they were in violation. Rumor has is that one of the dates called the driver “gay.” The driver then pulled over and made everyone get out of the bus in a high crime area of Cincinnati and left them there. I would have to guess there was more to the story than that, but that is what D heard and is telling me. The members have to take responsibility for their own and their date’s behavior. Unfortunately, the undergraduate sorority sisters have to suffer the consequences and embarrassment for the behavior of no more than 7 or 8 graduating seniors and their dates. Unfortunately the Greek community and the whole school suffer from the behavior of a few, or in all these situations collectively, a few handfuls. Hopefully, the organizations themselves will take actions to prevent their members from getting anywhere close to those levels of behavior again.</p>

<p>Dr. Hodge and the University officials are taking this very seriously. At recent orientation presentations alcohol abuse and improper behavior were not minimized or presented in a manner which made them seem like the offenders were “given mere slaps on the wrist.” Problems was presented openly and sternly. My guess is there will be zero tolerance this fall and for some time. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, this problem is not unique to Miami. I am at the age where my friend’s kids and my kid’s friends are all in various colleges. There are too many scary and sad stories about students doing stupid and selfish things. Every school has to take care of their own house and there is no pleasure pointing the finger at another. </p>

<p>Hopefully this incoming class will be wiser and have greater respect for property and self than these seniors demonstrated, but we also know that college kids can be very stupid sometimes. I am confident that the administration at Miami University will take prompt and firm action to prevent further episodes like these. Too bad they have to spend time worrying about “babysitting” young adults who should know better. Let’s hope many students, colleges and universities can learn from these events and make this next year better.</p>

22

<p>[Miami</a> University Greek groups ‘in crisis’ | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com](<a href=“Cincinnati News, Sports and Things to Do | Cincinnati Enquirer”>Cincinnati News, Sports and Things to Do | Cincinnati Enquirer)
[Miami</a> works to stem the debauchery | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com](<a href=“Cincinnati News, Sports and Things to Do | Cincinnati Enquirer”>Cincinnati News, Sports and Things to Do | Cincinnati Enquirer)</p>

<p>Two articles that appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer on June 28</p>

23

<p>D. has mentioned nothing of sort although she is bringing her sorority up all the time. She like it a lot and proud to be part of it.</p>

24

<p>As a parent of a rising high school senior, I have been monitoring this thread with interest. Seems like the problem lies with the college leadership, they set the tone (and the rules) for the entire campus. Let’s hope the suspensions mark the start of meaningful oversight, because these type of reports give the university a black eye with parents of prospective students (well at least with me). </p>

<p>We have a D. who is in a sorority at another school, so we are well acquainted with Greek life, but the type of behavior described in these articles goes far beyond typical college party antics. These kids come across as spoiled brats and while I fully recogize they represent only a small fraction of the total student body, this type of negative publicity can’t help but shade impressions of the university.</p>

25

<p>“Seems like the problem lies with the college leadership”</p>

<p>As a parent of Miami senior, I respectfully disagree. I believe that the problem lies with each individual student. Nobody forcing anybody to do anything. They are at least 18 years old and driving which puts them in responsible adult category (although they are still financially dependent on us). They are perfectly capable of making informed decisions and are aware of consequences of certain behaviors / actions. There is no college in a world that is responsible of baby sitting its students.</p>

26

<p>This morning’s paper says MU got a 1.5 million $ donation to build a new student center. Not sure if it’s a “recreation” center. Maybe that will give the kids something else to do besides drink.</p>

27

<p>^They have plenty to do currently and 1.5 million by no means is any close to build a rec. center. They have awesome rec. center with gorgeous pool that houses many Ohio championships. 1.5 mil indicates though that somebody really loves this school. Glad to hear that and wish to be in position some day to donate any amount.</p>

28

<p>The student center is a student union building, not a rec center. Will be replacing the “res” as it was known in my day…and has already been enhanced since I was there over 20 years ago!</p>

29

<p>Sorry MiamiDAP, I must respectfully disagree. Yes, every student is responsible for his/her own behavior, however it is up to the university leadership to set the boundaries of what will, or will not, be tolerated from a student organization by setting, and enforcing, meaningful guidelines. </p>

<p>University leadership and admission’s officers have no problem touting the successes, honors, and accomplishments of their students, so I argue that they must also bare some of responsibilty for the blemishes as well. </p>

<p>I’m not talking about “babysitting” we all recognize that is not possible and that young people will make their own choices. However, university leaders have some powerful tools they can use to “coax” a higher level of behavior from students participating in student organizations. </p>

<p>We have friends and family attending Miami so we are well aware that this level of poor behavior is not the norm. However, not all prospective students/parents have these university ties. Universities spend a hefty amount to convey a positive image and poor press like these recent articles do damage – like it or not.</p>

30

<p>Scholar 93 started this thread with the question regarding the Miami stereotype—are Miami students rich, spoiled brats? </p>

<p>After reading the accounts of the past two months, what would the UNBIASED think? Unfortunately, this type of attitude (35 incidents in 5 years) has gone on long enough. I’m a Miami alum that has taken off the Miami rose-colored glasses. Something has to be done. </p>

<p>Don’t think for a minute that the thousands of perspective students (and parents) that will be ■■■■■■■■ these pages in the next year won’t re-evaluate Miami after reading these accounts.</p>

<p>Unless Miami wants to become a magnet for the entitled rich spoiled brat, Hodge needs to put the hammer down on IFC and Panhellenic and state in absolute terms, that students and their organizations will be thrown off campus. Zero tolerance.</p>

<p>The sterotype continues and is warranted.</p>

31

<p>Thank you, ohiopublic. As an alum, you are allowed to be lovingly critical.</p>

<p>I hope Hodge does what needs to be done.</p>

32

<p>DON HO,
I strongly agree. Expulsion is an answer, just chop off the bad branches, the rest of the tree will not be infected. And, yes, Miami is a magnet for spoiled brats from private HS. My D. is one of them and I am very proud of her and her achievements. Loves her sorority and has never had a singel “B” in her life, going to Med. School in a year along with her friends, other Miami graduates. Way to go spoiled Miami brats!</p>

33

<p>Spoiled brat behavior for sure. Expulsion-sure when they know who the offenders are. It is my understanding that they don’t know who some of the kids were and now they have graduated. The ones left behind have to pay the penalty. Hopefully that will motivate them to choose their new pledges more carefully and demand a higher standard of behavior from their current members. </p>

<p>My current Miami D and my soon to be Miami first year both know what their fate would be if they ever behaved in this manner and my H and I ever found out about it. I don’t even have to tell them, but I will tell them to make sure there is no doubt. They would swiftly be commuting to the local state university on their own dollar.</p>

<p>I have no doubt that kids do stupid things, but this was way over the line of at all acceptable. I do believe there will be much less tolerance at Miami for some time to come. I am not afraid to send my next D to MU this fall. This type of behavior is not what I have witnessed with my current D’s friends or students I have encountered on campus. Just the opposite to be honest.</p>

34

<p>The students I know who attend Miami are just the opposite of spoiled brats, some attended private HS, some public. That’s why these recent news stories are so troubling, they convey an image that is not reflective of the student body at large. Expulsion is a good last step, but closing down an offending chapter for a year or two would really give all of the greek houses a wake up call and perhaps encourage a higher standard of behavior. Miami is a great school and produces many accomplished students like MiamiDAP’s D.</p>

35

<p>I think Miami’s history of being more selective (believe OSU surpassed them last year in Ohio publics) and their higher tuition has led to the stereotype…is this any different than behavior exhibited by any number of students at a given college? Absolutely not, nor is it different than it has been over the past 20-30 years. Is the stereotype of smarter, richer students what is attracting the media attention? That more is expected of them because of their education and upbringing? Maybe so!</p>

36

<p>"is this any different than behavior exhibited by any number of students at a given college? Absolutely not, nor is it different than it has been over the past 20-30 years. "</p>

<p>-Exactly what I have witnessing and stating. Agree 100%. There is a huge difference in my kids’s ages. Since son has gone also to Ohio public very many years ago, I can say that there is no diff. whatsoever.</p>

37

<p>Posted in Miami Alum eNewsletter:</p>

<p>Regulations Suggested for Greek Organizations</p>

<p>Focus on Accountability, Expectations
A task group is meeting weekly this summer to follow up on suggestions from a June 2009 external Greek Assessment Report and April 2010 Blue Ribbon committee report of Miami’s Greek system and to specifically address the type of misconduct exhibited by three Miami sororities this spring.</p>

<p>Student leaders are playing a key role in the group, working with faculty, staff, and community members, led by Vice President for Student Affairs Barbara Jones.</p>

<p>Incidents involved members and guests at Miami’s Pi Beta Phi chapter at Lake Lyndsay Lodge in Hamilton; the Alpha Xi Delta chapter at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; and members of Zeta Tau Alpha and their guests on a bus to an event. Charges included several alcohol violations, damaging facilities, acting indecently, and disrespecting staff and property.</p>

<p>Review of the incidents followed standard university judicial processes and resulted in sanctions ranging from probation for Zeta Tau Alpha to one- and two-year suspensions for Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Xi Delta, respectively.</p>

<p>The news garnered widespread media attention from numerous websites, television and radio stations, local papers, and national outlets, including the New York Times, Toronto Sun, and USA Today.</p>

<p>Some of those stories carried reaction from President David Hodge, who said, “We are appalled and embarrassed. …” Showing Miami is taking the matter seriously, he pledged a review of policies and behavioral standards for all student organizations.</p>

<p>Within the weekly task group meetings, much of the work centers on prevention of incidents like the ones this spring. Students have taken the lead in researching standards and expectations from other campuses and recommending much stronger regulations, consequences, and reward criteria. The group has suggested requiring additional security at socials, working more closely with venues, consistent enforcement of alcohol-related policies and procedures, providing clearer disciplinary processes and outcomes, and additional educational programs on accountability, bystander behavior, and standards of excellence.</p>

<p>Although Miami is far from alone in dealing with alcohol violations or Greek sanctions, Hodge said, with the spotlight on Oxford, Miami has the opportunity to be a leader in “raising the bar for expectations pertaining to student conduct and self-discipline.”</p>

38

<p>Miami University is a joke. Avoid at all costs. I am a current student and my personal experience has been a complete waste of time. The only reason I am here is for the business school, and even then, 80% of the students in the business school are idiots who don’t understand algebra.</p>

<p>There are too many students who were born with silver spoons up their asses; they’re all over the place. The financial aid / bursar offices are also jokes, and have no idea what they are doing. They are extremely unhelpful, and if you ever believe financial aid may even just be a SLIGHT issue for you, I would avoid this school. Not many in either of the offices care about keeping their good students enrolled, they just want to get paid and go home.</p>

<p>Miami University’s entire image is a facade. It is not ‘public ivy’ as some of the counselors will tell you, nor will you enjoy it as much as everyone says you will.</p>

<p>Let me know if you have any questions.</p>

39

<p>nickfat: While I respect your right to express your opinion it would be helpful if you cited some personal examples of issues you had with Miami in support of your opinion.</p>

40

<p>Miami U is just like any U, is much more about what student gets out of experience. Apparently. nickfat os getting very little at the place with awesome resources devoted specifically to Undergraduate Education, priority #1 at Maimi. Very sorry for nickfat and his family, paying lots for unused resources. Would anybody pay for several cars and never pick them up from dealer’s lot?</p>