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Alright, this seems to be a heated topic, but I have to speak up. No offense, but some of these opinions are seem a bit ridiculous to me. First off, a note on hazing, cuz that seems to be a strong argument against withholding letters from a new member. If you look at the definition of hazing (as far as it relates to greek organizations at least), it cites some pretty specific examples but goes on to be quite vague. It basically includes ANYTHING that a new member does not want to have to do for any reason. So, if I don't feel like taking a test in my Heat Transfer class, that would be hazing if I was "pledging" engineering (which I feel like I am doing some days...) The point is, if some Nationals and most administrators had it their way, new member programs would consist of Greeks handing out their letters to anyone who shows up to the house, regardless of what the organization's thoughts on them are (I mean, EVERYONE deserves a chance, right?), you'd sit around eating pizza and talking about your feelings and politely asking that the new members learn as much as they can about your organization. After say two weeks or so, they get initiated under your Ritual. And now, they may not even be able to remember the date your chapter was founded or the history of your National but they get to know the meaning of your letters and any other secrets you might have.
To me, my letters mean so much to me, that they're NOT for everybody. Does everybody deserve a chance? YES! Should they be handed letters just for showing interest? No. I'm a firm believer that you should EARN your letters, it makes them so much more special, and you can love them all the more. It's like this: if your parents buy you a car when you turn 17 (or 16 for states other than NJ :-P ) you probably won't treat it was as much respect or care as if you had to work for two years to afford it. Just like a car it doesn't matter what your letters are, or which are more attractive or popular in the eyes of your campus, it only matters what's the best "car" for you, and that you appreicate it. A good new member program is meant to teach you respect for your letters, so that when you EARN them, not get HANDED them, you can appreciate it more and know something that those who simply sat around and got some shirts thrown at them can never appreciate. How can that mean something if you just get them like that? But if you work for them, if you slowly over the period of a month or so go over the history and ideals of your organiztion, if you proudly strut around in your letters, teaching your Postulants (yes, at AXP, we call them Postulants, since "pledge" denotes hazing) the same pride, it will mean so much. And on that night when they are initaited under your Ritual, they can truly appreciate the solemness (is that a word?) and importance of that special ceremony. There has to be some build up, some anticipation. You wouldn't give your kids their Christmas presents in October would you? If you did, Christmas wouldn't be all that special.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should haze your NM, that's just wrong too. But paddling them or locking them in a room for 24 hours or making them swallow goldfish is hazing, asking them to wait to wear letters until they've earned them, asking them to wait to share in such a special priveledge, that's not hazing.
Personally, when I pledged, my fraternity was on the edge of dying, so they took it really easy on us. Honestly, I didn't feel like I earned my letters, so I try still to make up for it by doing all I can for them. Not everyone feels this way however. A NM period is a way to see who is right for your organization. We've made mistakes in the past, and people have dropped our program or even were asked to leave. I shudder to think what our organization would be like now if they had become Brothers. Also, even years after initation, we've still found we made mistakes, as people committed serious offenses against the organization or individual Brothers, or just up and left (another de-Brotherment offense if our National's eyes). I've realized taht not only do you have to earn the right to wear your letters and represent people all around the country who have the same, but also you need to earn the right to keep them. By working hard and being dedicated, you can do this. By handing a NM his or her letters right away, odds are they won't take them as seriously, despite what those of you who will be flaming back at me are going to say. It may have worked for you, just like it may have worked for me, but it won't for the majority of people.
But anyways, to answer the question:
Our Bigs give out letters on the last night of pledging, which is usually a few days or a week before initaition. Although if they chose, they can wear ALPHA CHI RHO spelled out, since this is not under the technical definition of "letters."
Sorry for the long post, but I had to get that off my chest. Please rememeber that I have a right to my opinion just as you do to yours.
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