alternatives to the word "pledge"

[DubaiSis]

George Carlin did a really funny bit years ago about our need to add syllables to words. The example he used was Shell Shock became Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. And he contended that by adding syllables you diminish the intensity of the word/phrase. I think that can be true in this case as well. A Pledge was an important stage in the membership process. The New Member? Meh. It's a 6 week party en route to a lifetime of membership that is completely disassociated from the first part.

[Kevin]

The shortened new member period, etc. are probably just FIPG initiatives to mitigate risk. So long as we are getting away from hazing, new member periods are not inherently risky, and culturally, they are important.

Calling someone "pledge" isn't demeaning if we would just stop saying it's demeaning. People treat words like they are concrete, immovable things with immutable characteristics sometimes--an incorrect approach.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to see fraternities which had "pledges" again instead of "associate members"? Pledging instead of "new member education." I hate the phrase "new member" because it seems like initiation is a guaranteed thing when it absolutely should not be. Getting a bid should not mean you have any certainty of lifelong membership.

While I'm sure that stuff is covered in ritual and "new member education," I don't see the utility in trashing our past in order to evolve.

Greek Life is supposed to be elitist. We are not Circle K or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We are not academic honors societies. Using words like "new member" and whatnot in order to distance ourselves from our past almost says to the world that we feel like we have to apologize for who and what we are.

[moe.ron]

Since there's no more pledging period in SigEp, closest thing is the Sigma and Phi folks.

[AnchorAlumna]

I believe (and am pretty sure I was told) that the terminology change and the shortened pledge/new member periods for NPC groups came about due to pressures from university administrations in an effort to reduce hazing. We can all probably query our international NPC reps to find out the background.

For NPC sororities, hazing incidents are not the norm. When they happen, they are against all teachings of that group and chapters are generally dealt with vigorously and swiftly. But administrations don't differentiate between fraternities and sororities, so the same changes were demanded of both.

At any rate....our pledge class did not get initiated until mid-February after a September pledging, so I was glad to see a shortened pledge period....but six (official) weeks? It's insane! I've been surprised that the lack of a grade requirement hasn't backfired. But I think a longer new member period would do a world of good toward properly educating our new members and to them bonding with their sisters.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I believe (and am pretty sure I was told) that the terminology change and the shortened pledge/new member periods for NPC groups came about due to pressures from university administrations in an effort to reduce hazing. We can all probably query our international NPC reps to find out the background.

For NPC sororities, hazing incidents are not the norm. When they happen, they are against all teachings of that group and chapters are generally dealt with vigorously and swiftly. But administrations don't differentiate between fraternities and sororities, so the same changes were demanded of both.

But many fraternities still use the word "pledge." If the change really was something that university administrators demanded, it would appear that the demand was ignored by many fraternities.

[NutBrnHair]

Chi Omega remains the only NPC group who waits for grades to initiate the following semester (except with deferred recruitment -- they've already "made" their grades). I believe we started using the term "New Member" in the early 2000's.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But many fraternities still use the word "pledge." If the change really was something that university administrators demanded, it would appear that the demand was ignored by many fraternities.

I don't think that administrators demanded a new word. I think they demanded an end to hazing, and NPC sororities tried to distance themselves from fraternities.

[DubaiSis]

Or in other words, it wasn't even throwing the baby out with the bath water. It was throwing the baby out because flat tire. Solution had nothing to do with the problem. And in the meantime rushees think that they have very much of a say during rush (their opinion is minimal) and they get cranky when the singing, clapping and tears stop. And yes, they think initiation is automatic, but in reality it pretty much always was. Still, I don't see a problem with making the girls think they need to earn it. Not via hazing, but in having to learn the history, policies, tenets, etc. and dare I say get tested on it.

I say turn them back into pledges and turn down the gifts. Not off, god forbid, but just dial it back to something less of a 24/7 party for 6 weeks.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I don't think that administrators demanded a new word. I think they demanded an end to hazing, and NPC sororities tried to distance themselves from fraternities.

Yes, that I could easily believe.

[banditone]

WE used to call them "Candidates" back in my day. But I always simplified it to "CandyAsses".

[aephi alum]

^ What KR said.

I went through formal rush, pledged a local sorority, was a pledge - not a new member, wore a pledge ring (the founders of the local thought outside the box and decided that they would use a ring rather than a pin) ... and here I am. I still wear my pledge ring occasionally, even though Sigma Iota Phi has been absorbed by Alpha Epsilon Phi ... I'm glad that I had the opportunity to be a member of both sororities, and I'm happy to be able to count myself among the 12 women ever to be SigIPhi sisters.

[33girl]

And of course now with pledge gone all the "baby bugs" or whatever talk has come about, which is IMO about 1000 times as demeaning as being called a pledge. If ever an initiative backfired, it's this one.

The fact is, regardless of whatever else it means, "new members" is dry and clinical and boring. I mean, I didn't join a sorority for members. I joined a sorority for sisters.

[honeychile]

Besides, I liked the idea that I was pledging - making a vow of sorts - my sorority. I wasn't new member-ing it, or even Alpha-ing it.

Mainstream media still uses the word pledge, so the newer terminology hasn't exactly changed many minds.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Mainstream media still uses the word pledge, so the newer terminology hasn't exactly changed many minds.

Yes, but unfortunately the only time the mainstream media mentions greeks it's always something like "Pledge Caught Sodomizing Sheep"!

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

Yes, but unfortunately the only time the mainstream media mentions greeks it's always something like "Pledge Caught Sodomizing Sheep"!

So many great responses, so many chances to stay classy!