smoking

[CRMSNTiDEGRL717]

i dont know where this question belongs so please bear w/ me, are u allowed to smoke if you're in a sorority or what? i have no clue of any of is

I don't know how smoking policies are enforced with the other sororities, but there's no rule with my chapter saying that we're not allowed to smoke at all.

In our code of standards, the only time smoking is prohibited is during chapter meetings, events, rush events, or any other time deemed inappropriate. In those cases, we use our best judgement (especially when wearing our letters and/or representing our sorority).

We don't have a chapter house, but I'm pretty certain that most (if not all) chapter houses in my sorority enforce a no-smoking in the house policy.

I'm a smoker, so whenever I do decide to smoke I make sure that I'm in a designated smoking area on or off campus.

[amycat412]

there's no non-smoking clause--in that a smoker wouldn't be given a bid. I agree with OTW though, most, if not all, houses would be smoke free zones in respect to other members.

[33girl]

No smoking ever at formal rush parties, chapter meetings or ritual. Most sorority houses are probably smoke free nowadays (unless they are big enough to have a separate smoking lounge).

[ilovemyglo]

We have a rule that you cannot wear letters when smoking. You have to cover them up. That is just our chapter though.

[unforgettable]

our chapter has a rule that you cannot smoke in front of the house (we are a housed chapter)as this disrespects the house and those within and you cannot smoke while walking across campus and if you do need a cigarette in between classes you have to sit down to smoke. This is to promote lady like behavior. Of course we dont smoke in the house or during meetings,etc. We also have a rule that a member cannot dance with an alcoholic beverage in her hand. She must put her cup down before she boogies. This is either to promote a ladylike image or just make sure she doesnt spill!!! These rules seem kind of goofy but they are well accepted by smokers and non-smokers alike.

[twinstars]

Originally posted by unforgettable:
our chapter has a rule that you cannot smoke in front of the house (we are a housed chapter)as this disrespects the house and those within and you cannot smoke while walking across campus and if you do need a cigarette in between classes you have to sit down to smoke. This is to promote lady like behavior. Of course we dont smoke in the house or during meetings,etc. We also have a rule that a member cannot dance with an alcoholic beverage in her hand. She must put her cup down before she boogies. This is either to promote a ladylike image or just make sure she doesnt spill!!! These rules seem kind of goofy but they are well accepted by smokers and non-smokers alike.

hey just a hunch... do you go to college in the south? i hear standards are pretty intense...

[AlphaChiGirl]

Are the non-smoking policies put in effect for reasons of health and safety, or is it that people just don't want smokers in their sorority?

I'm a sometime smoker, but I do it outside. I usually do it when I'm at bars, so there's no issue of having my letters on.

Couldn't a girl who didn't receive a bid because she was a smoker sue for discrimination? Sounds pretty elitist to me.

Originally posted by AlphaChiGirl:
Are the non-smoking policies put in effect for reasons of health and safety, or is it that people just don't want smokers in their sorority?

I'm a sometime smoker, but I do it outside. I usually do it when I'm at bars, so there's no issue of having my letters on.

Couldn't a girl who didn't receive a bid because she was a smoker sue for discrimination? Sounds pretty elitist to me.

I don't think it's a matter of my GLO not wanting smokers, nor do I think that it's because of health or safety...I guess it's just for courtesy for those who are uncomfortable with it. Out of respect for my sisters that are anti-smoking, I wont smoke around them. I'll smoke at bars & clubs and I'll totally smoke at school (especially during breaks), even when I wear my letters, just as long as I follow the rules accordingly.

My campus has been taking measures against smoking and for the first time since I don't know when they're actually enforcing the designated smoking areas in our campus commons. We're not allowed to smoke in any covered area, and now people like me are limited to one small tent outside. I guess it makes sense, though.

I know my chapter doesn't discriminate on the basis of smoker status. In fact, my sister-"great-grandmother", "grandmother", and "mother" were all smokers. My sister-mom jokes that my sis-daughter will have to be one to continue the line(jokingly, of course).

[dzrose93]

My Delta Zeta chapter has strict rules about smoking, as do all of the other chapters that I've visited. We can not smoke in letters, we can't smoke in the sorority house or out in front of it, and we can only smoke sitting down with our legs crossed. Sounds strange I know, but the theory is that sitting in a ladylike position while smoking looks a lot better than running around campus waving a cigarette. Anyway, I do live in the South and all of the DZ chapters that I've visited have been at Southern schools, so it may very well be a Southern thing.

[dzsweetiee]

Same here DZrose!

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by AlphaChiGirl:

Couldn't a girl who didn't receive a bid because she was a smoker sue for discrimination? Sounds pretty elitist to me.

No, she could not. Smoking is not a protected class as designated by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of '64 or any of the addendums.

[shadokat]

I'm sorry, but I've never heard of such absurd things as sitting and crossing your legs to have a smoke. It's times like this, I'm glad to live in the northeast (no disrespect to the southern women, of course you're all great!). We have no real rules on the topic, with the exception of not smoking in the middle of a recruitment event or meeting or ritual. But that would seem normal to me. We also don't allow smoking in the common areas of the house, but if you smoke, you can in your own room.

[USFSDTAlum]

We also have a rule that a member cannot dance with an alcoholic beverage in her hand. She must put her cup down before she boogies. This is either to promote a ladylike image or just make sure she doesnt spill!!!

This rule worries me a little bit, simply because of all the arning we hear about with GHB and Rohypohonal (sp?) I would rather drop a beer all over someone then leave it, and take the chance someone did something to it.

[shadokat]

Originally posted by dzrose93:
Yes, I can see why a Yankee wouldn't understand that particular rule. It's right up there with grits, sweet tea, and y'all! heehee

Hmmm...when I was in Mississippi, I had grits and sweet tea. I'd rather have a cheesesteak and a coke

But honestly, I don't see how a woman smoking is putting the sorority in a negative light. I understand that people don't smoke or don't like smoking, but I really don't think smoking puts your sorority at risk of negative reputation. Of course, this could also be one of those southern things again.