Greeks vs. Independents

From SenatorAdams

In The Mike Adams Series, the University of Florida student population has been politically segmented. Initially, it was deemed to have been split into two camps, but in reality it is more like five.

Types of UF demographic groups

• Establishment Greeks - these form the electoral backbone of The Circle's dominance on campus. In exchange for their votes, various Greek houses receive positions within Student Government and their elite members get tapped to join The Circle.

• Rebel Greeks - on occassion, a number of greek houses will split from The Circle's coalition. This can be either for personal, parochial, or even ideological reasons. But what ever the cause, it is always temporary.

• Non-Greeks - this is short hand for the kind of student who is not a member of a fraternity or a sorority, but otherwise favors the establishment candidate. This is a fluid demographic, often based on personal or ambitious reasons, or on the appeal of the candidate The Circle has chosen to back in that election. Minority groups and honors students, particularly because they often organize their members like a proxy Greek house, are considered part of this category, and accordingly do spend most of their time backing The Circle.

• Independents - this group is the antithesis of the establishment Greeks. They oppose The Circle for ideological reasons and would reject membership if offered. The Circle believes there are few true independents, that anyone can be bought. And to a great extent this was proven with the Gator Party. For them to be successful, most Independent campaigns have to align themselves with Rebel greeks and peel off a number of non-greek subgroups.

• Wildcards - these are apathetic folks or those who are brought into SG politics specifically because of a certain individual they know from some other relationship. Many voters in this category, as well as many rank-and-file Greeks, will vote for a joke party - particularly if the joke is alcohol or sex-related.

Origin of the term "independent"

• The term "independent" was originated as a descriptor for any UF student who was "independent" of The Circle's system of control. It has grown to mean non-Greeks in general, and those who hold radical/reformist political views in particular.

• The term "god-damn independent" or GDI, is a recent invention that refers to a particularly radical or annoying Independent. For example, a Greek might say "those god-damn independents are forcing a run-off election". But rather than just be an adjective suggesting a dislike, "god-damn" in this case is actually part of the name given to those types of independents.

• In many ways, the full phrase of "GDI" has replaced "independent" to refer to SG radicals, as "independent" has become a generic moniker for non-Greeks.

Trivia

• While there have been Non-Greek members of The Circle who were elected Student Body President with The Circle's endorsement, and there have been rebel Greek members of The Circle who became Student Body President without its blessing, no one has been elected Student Body President who has not been tapped into The Circle.

The Mike Adams Series by Kenneth Kerns
The Novels	Reunion At University Avenue • The Proxy Senator • Confirmation
Major characters	Mike Adams • Ashley Woodard • George Avelli • Jeff Simon • Sam Lee • Aimee Jackson
Minor characters	Adam Ruppesberger • Bennita Jones • Ben Burns • Rick Roberts • Nicholas Hickey • Peter Easley
Fictional organizations	The Circle • Gator Party
Related topics	Greeks vs. Independents • Legacy • "Old Walter" • Student Government • U.S. Senate