What is this "initiation" that everyone is talking about?

It's when you light a candle and read out of a duo-tang folder. Oh. Wait. I've said too much. I'm telling secrets from the ritual of the honor society to which I belong.

I completely understand, NutBrnHair. That's why I put that disclaimer in the first post. I figure whomever feels they can share will do so but no one should feel uncomfortable!

Believe me, I didn't post anything a random person standing in front of a DZ house wouldn't be able to tell ya :)

I feel exactly the same way.

I don't see how make up could make any worse of a mess to be cleaned than all that blood from the ritual sacrifices.

That's not just us, right?

OMG -I've said too much, haven't I? :o

ssssshhhhh!!! thats supposed to be a secret!! bad kappa!! ;)

Likewise (with the obvious substitution of AEPhi).

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Several years ago, AEPhi colonized at Brandeis University, and I was invited to the colonization (I wasn't able to make it, unfortunately). Brandeis does not recognize greek life, so we were specifically instructed NOT to wear white, but instead to wear normal street clothes and bring a white outfit to change into. We were also asked to bring, but not wear, our badges.

The chapter was never chartered, but there are chapters of SDT and DPhiE, as well as ZBT and a couple of other fraternities.
</tangent>

Fraternities
 

I notice no comments about Fraternities on this thread...

I presume that Suit and Tie would be most standard?

My mother made me promise that, if I ever got remarried (!), that I'd get my eyelashes dyed!

That is probably the biggest Initiation myth we have. Makeup is fine.. the idea is for women to look their best on a special day :) Heels are not a requirement so that was clearly a chapter nuance. Maybe they had issues with women trying to get by with flip flops so they made it "heels".

White hose were bigger in the 90s, I think. I'm not even sure they still sell them!


No need to feel guilty. If you're not supposed to discuss it, then don't. This is not secret information for some of us.

As my sisters above noted.. white dress (below the knee), with shoulders covered and white shoes. Jewelry is not worn but makeup can be.

Having seen an initiation at our convention, honestly? It was just a lot more people standing around watching it. Then again, I think ours is pretty idiot proof. From what I gather on here, other groups' are more complicated. Ours is quite straightforward (except for the part where we fire up the Phoenix's butt) and I like it that way.

Subbing in my sorority, ditto. We've even asked passers-by to help us take pictures outside of our house before initiation.

I feel I can say what we wore since the Phi Mu Alpha guys got to see us moving about the music building (no houses for sororities in upper state SC). Some of them were apparently there just to see this. As in, they were waiting in the hallways. :rolleyes:

Anyways... All white. Dress, slacks, skirts, bathing suit coverup dress things. No specification on formality, but we took it to be an event to look nice for as a class. No make-up. No nail polish. No jewelry other than the MIT pin. Pure white shoes, white socks, or no shoes at all (your choice). Most of us went for no shoes. They collected the shoes we walked over in and any jewelry (including simple studs) before we were allowed to begin. We were warned by random sisters the week prior to our ceremony as to what to wear.

When I explained to my mom that I was looking for a white skirt, she asked why. Apparently she got to wear a mix of the sorority colors for her AOII initiation... all those years ago.

At our Convention, a nearby chapter does it. And it may be for real if they have someone to initiate or it may be a mock ceremony. Frankly, to get up early to go is not on my radar screen.....I can go to one every semester here if I want...and at least I know the people.....

Well, there was a comment from a fraternity member. ;)