By Ryan Baumgardner

The Rebel Yell
University of Nevada
Las Vegas

May 5, 2003 - MTV has found success recently with reality shows, two of which are based on Greek lifestyles.

The Sigma Chi Omega fraternity and Delta Xi Omega sorority from the University of Buffalo are the two chapters that were selected for the currently running seasons.

Because the shows claim to showcase typical Greek lifestyles at a typical fraternity and sorority, some Greeks and others affiliated with Greek organizations are upset enough to voice their opinions.

Brett Radmin, Co-founder of Greek101.com, a website that sells Greek apparel to colleges and universities, is one of these individuals.

In a press release, Radmin stated that he feels the MTV shows are leading MTV viewers to believe that all Greek organizations are like "Animal House" and has therefore decided to sever his company's relationship with MTV.

The decision was not an easy one for Radmin, who recognized that MTV was offering his company a huge marketing boon.

"How can a company appear hip and cool and still effectively market and sell its products to college and Greek administrators without alienating one or more constituencies by associating with the wrong crowd?" Radmin ponders.

Radmin pointed out that many students and administrators have said that they would boycott products that were featured on the shows.

Tony Provost, a UNLV student who recently became a brother in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity said, "It does show Greeks in a bad way, because if a parent ever saw it, they would relate what they saw to all fraternities, even those that don't act like the ones portrayed on MTV."

Corrine Sullivan, who is the President of the Delta Zeta sorority at UNLV said, "I think it's completely exaggerated in order to attract viewers, it highlights whatever it can to get ratings up. I would absolutely boycott products featured on the show."

Tim Baldwin, a senior member of UNLV's Delta Chi chapter felt similarly, stating "It's probably not accurate, because things are different in different places."

Whether MTV is concerned over the uproar has not been made clear, the network may not be receiving enough complaints to warrant pulling a show off the air that receives high ratings. "I think they portray the people involved to be sort of stupid, and only wrapped up in their fraternities and sororities." Meghan Brace, a student at UNLV who is not affiliated with a sorority said.

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