Young mothers find sisterhood in college sorority

Drolefille · #1 03-08-2007, 11:10 PM

We've talked about them before, but CNN had a nice article about sororities for moms. Apparently they're the hot new thing.

From CNN

Quote:

Magic Markers, bubble wands and jungle-animal stickers aren't often found in the average college student's backpack.

For the women of Mu Tau Rho, a new sorority for student-mothers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, those toys are every bit as vital as laptop computers and e-mail accounts.

"I wanted to be in a sorority so bad," said Danielle Cooney, a 22-year-old sophomore math major. "Then I had my son. I didn't have a baby sitter to do all that."
...
Mu Tau Rho stands for "Mothers Together in Parenting," members said. The uppercase Greek letter "rho" is identical to the English capital "P."

Quote:

One of the few sororities aside from Mu Tau Rho catering to student mothers is Mu Omicron Mu (whose initials spell "MOM") at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Perhaps it's a sign I've been on GC too long but the misuse of the Rho bothers me more than anything...

texas*princess · #2 03-09-2007, 09:29 AM

they should have just AI'd!

Just kidding!

Drolefille · #3 03-09-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texas*princess

they should have just AI'd!

Just kidding!

They're not Alumnae YET! They still have a chance

ASUADPi · #4 03-09-2007, 04:04 PM

I know time committment wise an NPC has a lot. But, correct me if I'm wrong, we can't discriminate against mothers can we?

Do you think it varies chapter to chapter?

One of my sisters, her chapter, actually initiated a young mom. The girl was actually a legacy to AOPi but her son became sick and went to RMH. So when she went to college she joined ADPi because of the RMH connection. My sister said she was a good sister, as active as she could be.

Depending on the school, the climate, the chapter, I honestly don't see the problem with a mom joining. As long as she understands the time committment, financial committment and willing to do it. Just my opinion.

smiley21 · #5 03-09-2007, 04:07 PM

There is a girl I know who goes to my school. She is around 22, married with a son and is in a sorority. So it is possible.

Drolefille · #6 03-09-2007, 04:08 PM

One of the things the article mentions is time commitment and costs. They just couldn't afford a traditional sorority (whether NPC or NPHC they didn't specify). And I can understand that. It's definately a "luxury" and if it's between dues and diapers, what are you going to choose?

AlphaFrog · #7 03-09-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I know time committment wise an NPC has a lot. But, correct me if I'm wrong, we can't discriminate against mothers can we?

State of parenthood is not a protected status, like race, religion, etc. we can discriminate all we want to.

I believe there are NPCs that do have rules against mothers being active sisters, and others that have rules that any active that gets pregnant becomes and automatic alum.

AGDee · #8 03-09-2007, 10:31 PM

Given that their priorities and lifestyles are obviously very different from the typical collegian, I could see why they'd want a group of their own. It could be more of a support group, an opportunity to socialize but also could include babysitting during events, play dates, etc. A friend of mine (well after college and after she was married) joined a SAHM support group and became really close to those women after she had her first baby. She likened it to her relationships with sorority sisters while in school. It doesn't mean that all NPCs would exclude them but perhaps that these groups meet their needs better.