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Just my $2.50 on the matter...
I am a proud sister of SAI. I am a religion major, participate in University Chorale, Computer Consultants and Religious Awareness group. I am one of over 50 sisters in our chapter, Sigma Omega. I owe SAI my lifelong loyalty, and I consider my pledging experience, when held up to my other Greek friends' experiences, comperable.
We are a part of Greek life here. We do not participate in the formal rush week, however, to allow girls who would rather go social the opprotunity to decide if socials are right for them before having to accept or deny the SAI bid. This is out of courtesy, I believe, to the social sororities who conduct their pledging process on a much tighter schedule. It is also due to the fact that we are not a part of the Pan-hellenic council, despite overtures to be on it from us. They decline membership to us and Sinfonia, despite Sinfonia on my campus deciding to go social.
We have sisters who are members of Zeta, and we interact often with Zeta. Sinfonians are our brothers in music, and we also interact with Sig Ep, as they are considered the brothers of Zeta. I'm not sure if this is true of all campuses, but every sorority is paired with a fraternity here.
APhiO is not part of Greek life here. We have a chapter, but they are not included in Greek activities of any sort, and they only have one ritual, which is open--initiation.
All of these things have coloured my interpretation of SAI, my cherished sisterhood. I am loyal to SAI and her teachings, and my sisters are as dear to me as any could be. We are taught that we are to be recognised by members of other fraternities and sororities as "fellow Greeks" and this is all we ask. I understand that in some places SAI has a poor reputation, and I am saddened deeply by that. But here at SU, we are respected and recognised by our fellow Greeks, and it is wonderful to know that we are a part of a larger community, helping women who share our love and passion to be better women for it.
Think what you like about SAI, but know that on some campuses, in some chapters, we are as much sisters as women can be. We uphold our symphony and our ideals. I agree with my sister, sairose. Whatever the letter, we are Greek together.
Love and roses,
Emma
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