Good question! Like CP2000, I was initiated at a chapter which was at a university I never attended. I often run into difficulty because a lot of people know that I went to Long Beach State University and yet I'm not from that chapter. I am very proud of having graduated from Long Beach and I don't want to have people thinking I graduated from the University of San Diego. At the same time, I don't want people to be confused into thinking that I'm from the Long Beach chapter.
There are a *lot* of LBSU alumnae around. In the past when I've said, "Oh, I went to Long Beach" the ladies respond with "Oh me too! We're chapter sisters! What year were you? Do you know so and so?" I then have to back track and explain that I'm an AI and I was initiated with University of San Diego.
So, I now I just tell people, "Epsilon Gamma, University of San Diego; but, I graduated from Long Beach State." That seems to work really well. I suppose it almost sounds like I pledged at USD, but transfered to Long Beach. Sometimes I just say "Epsilon Gamma". I don't feel like I'm tricking anybody - it's just that when people ask you what chapter you're from, they expect a two word response, not a 20 minute speech about alumnae initiation.
And before anyone gets the wrong impression, no, I don't hide that fact that I'm an AI. I'm always happy to volunteer that information and, when I do, people are always supportive and excited for me.
With that said, I often wish that Gamma Phi Beta had allowed me to initiate with the chapter at Long Beach State; that would save me sooo much effort when people ask me to explain things!
.....Kelly
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