Do you think your organization's risk management policies go overboard?

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by kateee

On my campus, we were told we cannot use the nickname "Baby Hooties" because it is name calling and hazing, despite the fact that members in my new members class loved it and used it to refer to our class.

There have been at least three (possibly more) statements/blog posts from different GLOs addressing why new members are not referred to as "baby _____". There's a thread somewhere around GC on this very topic.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

There have been at least three (possibly more) statements/blog posts from different GLOs addressing why new members are not referred to as "baby _____". There's a thread somewhere around GC on this very topic.

Here you go: Stop the "Baby" Talk.

[sherrybaby]

I recognize that my experience isn't universal, but I've personally never met a collegian who had a problem with the "Baby" terms. In fact, I much more often hear older actives lament how much they miss being the "babies." I think the vast majority of this spurt of anti-baby sentiment is coming from older alumnae and advisors.

While I do think articles such as the one posted above are well thought out and well written, I have to say that I feel like my feelings about the issue are similar to the way many alumnae feel about the switch from "rush" and "pledge" to "recruitment" and "new member" - overly PC and fixing something that wasn't broken. I recognize I'm in the minority here, but I think it might have to do with my generation - many of us wear bows, dress up in footie pjs, and have no issues with other cutesy things that may be associated with youth.

"Baby thetas" was a term always used endearingly (though not condescendingly, or at least not overtly so) in the same way my older sister might call me her "baby sister" even though I'm 21. It merely meant someone new, someone to guide and mentor, someone to spoil rotten, and someone to teach what being a Theta was all about. My chapter follows our strict hazing guidelines to a T - no new member tests, scavenger hunts, or anything of the like. New members always know that we are a chapter that values them, their safety, and their happiness.

So now, when advisors came out with the no baby mandate, they've been completely ignored. Some actives changed their vocab for the few times we're around advisors, but absolutely no one sees the point of the change, and pretty much everyone finds it ridiculous. All of us still use the term. I feel like this resistance is going to be common when older and younger sorority members are so at odds on the issue.

PS. I promise my username is simply a nod to the song, and has nothing to do with this issue (:

[WhiteRose1912]

Originally Posted by sherrybaby

I recognize that my experience isn't universal, but I've personally never met a collegian who had a problem with the "Baby" terms. In fact, I much more often hear older actives lament how much they miss being the "babies." I think the vast majority of this spurt of anti-baby sentiment is coming from older alumnae and advisors.

When I was a pledge sister, I hated being called a baby penguin. I was 21 at the time and thought it was demeaning. Fortunately I never heard the initiated members refer to me like that--only some of my fellow pledge sisters.

That being said, I have never met anyone else who had a problem with it as a collegian.