So, curious: what happens if I use the term "pledge"? Seriously.

I slip and do that constantly.

I have not really heard of chapters calling their new members anything "baby ________." I have seen G Phi Babes, which doesn't bother me at all, used purely as a term of endearment and limited to Bid Day. Also Red Hots, which doesn't bother me either, on Bid Day, and then let's just call each other sisters and friends.:)

Count me on Team Rush and Team Pledge. Sororities are unique organizations unlike any other women's organizations and "rushing" and "pledging" are part of our unique heritage.

The baby thing has been around in various forms for a long time. 20 years ago, I was a high school freshman and I recall being greeted by a "Welcome Baby [Insert High School Mascot Here]" banner on my first day.

Did I mention that [Insert High School Mascot Here] are the Trojans? :D

I doubt we're going back to the terms "pledge" and "rush." I think "recruitment" more adequately expresses what is occuring than "rush" if you don't have any conception of Greek Life before college. That's a big reason I didn't "rush" until sophomore year. And yes, I was a "rushee" and was sad when we could no longer use that term in our door songs.

What is a uniform name for a new member other than new member or pledge? First Years?

Nice! I see that the banner has been cropped out of the photo.

I disagree. I think any process in which you choose sisters for life in 4-5 days, and having met 10-12 women for a total of less than 5 hours, is certainly rushing things.

"Rush" supposedly got its name because university students used to rush down to meet the trains which brought the new students to campus. Some sororities/fraternities would arrive at the station in a town up the track in order to give a pledge pin to the most desired men/women! Imagine that.

I've made an assumption. When NPC adopts its unanimous agreements, each member organization pledges that each member will "abide by and honor the UAs."

Since that's one I'm not willing to honor, I'm presuming I would not be welcome as an advisor or officer at anything above the chapter level. I seriously doubt DG would revoke my membership because of it, but I respect that DG has signed up to something I cannot support.

At the University of Texas you would not have your way. The new Theta members paint on whiskers, wear cat head bands and most wear tails. And they do this publicly. I find it strange but it's how they roll.

Well, the terminology change is not a UA so don't worry about that! I slip up all the time too - and on DG terms- I lapse into ABC instead of ATC, Finance Adviser instead of COA, etc. Everyone does at some time.

I'm sorry, this is the most dramatic wailing over a terminology change I've ever seen in my entire life.

You "cannot support" it? Really? You "cannot support" referring to new members as... new members? Like, this is the most offensive thing ever to you? Because you're certainly posting like it is.

Please take a chill pill. Part of this discussion broke off into the "new member" and "baby" and "pledge" and "rushee" discussion.

I do not and will not support the change to "recruitment" and "new member" -- I won't use the terms in place of those I believe to be more accurate. Someone asked what would happen if one used the old terminology, and I stated that I was surmising, and implied I could be wrong. If you disagree with me, that's one thing, but it is your opinion, and opinion only, and it differs from mine. No need to get nasty.

Oh yes, please, take a stand over something as innocuous as a terminology change from rush to recruitment and pledge to new member. You're so brave to stand against it in the face of something that threatens everything you hold dear!

I tell you what, those jerks who wanted to make this change are nothing but commies! Socialism! Obamacare!

I think this is somewhat of a ritual? I don't think it's supposed to be known to the public that they are called pearls, at least that's the impression a friend of mine gave me. Could be wrong though!