[1964Alum]

.As a Chi O alum without an active chapter near me, I don't know why we have the same semester long pledge period that we had when I was a pledge! Nor do I remember reading about it in our Eleusis. But I am happy that we have retained it. Nor do I know what is now required during this period.

To back-track a bit, I don't really care for the term "New Member", much preferring the old "Pledge". We all understood that we wouldn't be members until initiation, and initiation required completion of a successful Pledge period. I really don't remember anyone complaining about it or balking at the requirements. Nor do I remember anyone not being initiated. In addition to the weekly pledge class meetings, we did the usual learning about our founders, our current national officers, our purposes, and meeting individually each and every active except those away from campus. We kept a pledge notebook and also wrote an occasional essay on an assigned topic having to do with Greek life. We worked with the actives on elections and homecoming, and went to visit sick sisters who were in the infirmary. We all attended the wedding of the rush chairman for when we went through rush. We had a weekend retreat for just the pledges. The actives had a pledge presentation formal ball for us and we pledges gave them a party. Much of that would likely be considered "hazing" now, but I don't remember a single thing that was degrading or unreasonable for becoming full members of Chi Omega. I hope much of that remains!