I know I can't speak for the Gamma Phi's on your campus and I don't know how Greek life is like where you're from, but I know that the 8 week new member period like the one you've described sounds really ridiculous.

I remember hearing our MD Advisor saying that the new member period could not be more than 8 weeks as this was a national rule. I'm not sure if it's an NPC rule, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN DURING THOSE 8 WEEKS. Each week we would have Fraternity Education and that was when we learned everything we needed to know about Alpha Gamma Delta. In addition to that we had the 14 Pearl Program (named after the jewels on our badge), and that program is designed to make the NM personally involved in the community, the campus, and our chapter. It's basically a personal development program. Each time a NM fulfills one of the pearl categories she receives a "pearl".

In addition to that, our NMs hold offices within their class, organize a NM fundraiser, attend our sisterhood events, are expected to keep their grades up, etc etc. Initiation takes place in mid-November. There's a lot more I could add to this but I think I'd be up typing till morning.

We do not allow a NM to wear our badge unless she knows everything about AGD that she can possibly learn within the 8 weeks. Why give them a badge if they don't know what their sorority is all about? This is why I love NM tests. I really do not understand how this could be considered hazing...but that's another story. This semester our sisterhood retreat is the weekend before the NM test, so our baby squirrels will be immersed in AGD and hopefully they'll be fresh for the test!

While the other 25 NPC organizations may not hold their frat eds this same way, I can bet that it's somewhat similar. So...earning one's letters isn't a piece of cake after all.