Re: OTW's "plain" badge...
When I pledged in the mid-70's, it was common for everyone to start out with the one with all pearls. Of course, my chapter was only 2.5 years old when I pledged, so there wasn't the tradition of going with the plain badge to start off with. Not sure when it switched. (FYI, my pledge trainer only earned 12 pearls so she wanted to make sure we all earned 13 for our badge!)
Something I have noticed, is that none of the collegians (at least GTaus) ever order the chapter guard. Not sure why. I'll have to ask next time I think of it.
Because I got the pearl badge years ago, last year I ordered the plain badge to wear some times.
Side note, after a couple of decades, I finally got another new green jersey with red yellow (gold) green letters outlined in white, GT in white on the sleeve and my name in white on the back. ! The GTaus wear them Bid Day and I was tired of feeling out of place with my other jersey, lol.
