Becoming a Fraternity Sweetheart

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by 33girl

SWEETHEARTS AND LITTLE SISTERS ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS. SWEETHEARTS ARE TO LITTLE SISTERS AS APPLES ARE TO SOCKS.

A sweetheart is one person chosen by the fraternity in an honorary capacity. There is no such thing as a sweetheart "program." It's like being a homecoming queen or something similar.

Little sisters go through a pledge program and function as an auxiliary group to the fraternity.

News to me-thank you for the information.

"Little Sisters" type programs were all that I ever heard of in any way, shape or form. First, second or third hand.

But I still have to wonder about RM/liability risks and issues. But that thread would be better off in the RM section.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by jon1856

News to me-thank you for the information.

"Little Sisters" type programs were all that I ever heard of in any way, shape or form. First, second or third hand.

But I still have to wonder about RM/liability risks and issues. But that thread would be better off in the RM section.

No Sigma Chi Sweetheart (chapter or International) is now - nor ever has been - a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Thus there are no Risk Management or liability issues per say.

There could be issues just like there could be issues for a House Mother living in the chapter house. Or an employee at IHQ. But again, to be clear, Sweethearts are not members of the Fraternity at all. Nor or they considered "sisters". Little or otherwise.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by TSteven

No Sigma Chi Sweetheart (chapter or International) is now - nor ever has been - a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Thus there are no Risk Management or liability issues per say.

There could be issues just like there could be issues for a House Mother living in the chapter house. Or an employee at IHQ. But again, to be clear, Sweethearts are not members of the Fraternity at all. Nor or they considered "sisters". Little or otherwise.

To the very best of my knowledege, there has been only one (1) woman member of SAE.

"Little Sisters" were not members as such.

The RM issue came up years ago and I just do not recall what the reasons were.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by jon1856

To the very best of my knowledege, there has been only one (1) woman member of SAE.

"Little Sisters" were not members as such.

The RM issue came up years ago and I just do not recall what the reasons were.

I don't recall the specifics (Title IX maybe?), but my understanding is that the "risk" has to do with federal law regarding keeping social GLOs single sex. A fraternity with an auxiliary group ("little sisters") that is recognized by the fraternity could open the door to the fraternity loosing that single sex status.

That risk (loss of single sex status) does not exist with having a chapter sweetheart.

[LPIDelta]

My understanding of the risk in having little sister groups is related to how women became little sisters. Little sisters groups at some schools were formed much like any other "sorority" in that members were recruited and then "pledged". I have heard several tales of sexual favors or related activities for the fraternity men being a "requirement" to become a little sister. I have heard of groups where the women were treated as "servants" to the men in order to gain selection. There was bviously nothing honorable about being a little sister with these groups.

In terms of the law, if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it can be called a duck. Just because a little sister group are not initiated members, does not mean that fraternity will assume no liability for their actions. If they wear letters, if they wear t-shirts and do activities in the name of being a little sister of the fraternity, the fraternity can be held liable. Discouraging little sister/brother groups is one way to limit liability for the fraternity or sorority.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Heather17

My understanding of the risk in having little sister groups is related to how women became little sisters. Little sisters groups at some schools were formed much like any other "sorority" in that members were recruited and then "pledged". I have heard several tales of sexual favors or related activities for the fraternity men being a "requirement" to become a little sister. I have heard of groups where the women were treated as "servants" to the men in order to gain selection. There was obviously nothing honorable about being a little sister with these groups.

In terms of the law, if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it can be called a duck. Just because a little sister group are not initiated members, does not mean that fraternity will assume no liability for their actions. If they wear letters, if they wear t-shirts and do activities in the name of being a little sister of the fraternity, the fraternity can be held liable. Discouraging little sister/brother groups is one way to limit liability for the fraternity or sorority.

Heather and Steve;
The matter may or may not be some sort of a combination of both your posts. As I indicated, I just do not recall the details at all. Just a very vague image of it relating to RM more than anything else.

As for your posting Heather, I have very little doubt that somewhere, at some school or chapter that did go . Just as I have very little doubt that it goes on without the "cover" of Little Sister or Sweetheart

And I will say say that to the best of my knowledge it did not go on at my chapter. And any activities that did happen, were consensual and not part of the selection proccess.

And my best friend to this day from College is my "Big Sister".

[33girl]

Actually TSteven is right, the biggest risk is/was Title IX related. Little sisters threatened fraternities' single sex status.

Some little sister programs weren't run honorably, but some were more organized than the fraternities OR some of the sororities. It varied greatly from group to group, school to school - same as NPC sororities and NIC fraternities. When all little sisters are characterized as sluts or servants it pisses me off no end, as some of my best friends in college were fraternity little sisters. It was usually sorority women who spread those rumors - I'm guessing because they were jealous at the proximity the little sisters enjoyed.