Sweethearts wearing letters?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Ohsass

2) Sweetheart and Lil Sis - ok but with clear prominent designation stating "Sweetheart" or "Lil Sis" (point being whole fraternity voted on their status)

Do you mean biological little sister (such as TKE has badges for mothers and bio sisters)? There's no such thing as Fraternity little sisters any more.

[Ohsass]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Do you mean biological little sister (such as TKE has badges for mothers and bio sisters)? There's no such thing as Fraternity little sisters any more.

Is that so? Hum...truly none system wide or just your fraternity? Regardless, no I did not mean bio sibs. I took notes on what my husband told me so that is what I shared. He may have added Lil Sis for the sake of explaining the differences so I understood. But I guess what I'm seeing throughout this thread is that stead fast rules do not apply everywhere. It is all about what each individual chapter or approves.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Ohsass

Is that so? Hum...truly none system wide or just your fraternity?

None. System-wide. Although that's probably been a changed from when your husband was in school. Little sister groups used to be popular before they were banned. (And yes, I realize some school still have them, but they're not technically allowed anywhere.)

Oh, and I'm in a sorority.

[Ohsass]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

None. System-wide. Although that's probably been a changed from when your husband was in school. Little sister groups used to be popular before they were banned. (And yes, I realize some school still have them, but they're not technically allowed anywhere.)

Oh, and I'm in a sorority.

Well, I'll be darned! That's kind of a shame because yes, we did party with the brothers but we supported them in a lot of philanthropic stuff. I will have to research more on why they were banned. Must be the history major in me I appreciate the info and thank you for the correction.

[Ohsass]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

None. System-wide. Although that's probably been a changed from when your husband was in school. Little sister groups used to be popular before they were banned. (And yes, I realize some school still have them, but they're not technically allowed anywhere.)

Oh, and I'm in a sorority.

For anyone interested in more info, Greekchat has a relatively recent thread (ie - current decade ;-) I found it when I googled "Banning Little Sisters in fraternities". The Greekchat thread was "Little Sisters/Sweathearts". Use Greekchat search with that phrase.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

None. System-wide. Although that's probably been a changed from when your husband was in school. Little sister groups used to be popular before they were banned. (And yes, I realize some school still have them, but they're not technically allowed anywhere.)

AlphaFrog is correct.

NIC Resolution Regarding Little Sister Groups

WHEREAS, the North-American Interfraternity Conference believes sororities and women's fraternities offer excellent opportunities for women to share a fraternal experience; and

WHEREAS, auxiliary women's groups organized by menâs fraternity chapters, commonly referred to as "little sisters" are inconsistent with the concept and philosophy of separate and equal women's fraternities; and

WHEREAS, the National Interfraternity Conference believes that these groups inhibit the accomplishment of chapter goals by:

DIVERTING resources of time, efforts, and money, which are needed for chapter operations and programming;

DISTRACTING chapter members in the performance of essential duties (e.g., membership recruitment and membership education).

INVITING disharmony within the chapter by usurping the roles and responsibilities of initiated members;

WEAKENING the bonds of brotherhood by adversely affecting interpersonal relationships within the chapter; and

WHEREAS, the Fraternity Executives Association and several member fraternities have taken a position against these auxiliary groups,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Interfraternity Conference and the presidents of its member fraternities believe that "little sister" groups are not desirable adjuncts to the collegiate chapters of men's fraternities and urges and recommends that member fraternities work with their chapters to eliminate these programs at the earliest possible time.

Adopted by vote of the 1987 House of Delegates

And later, this resolution added to the NIC by-laws.

By-Laws of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
(Revised April 26, 2004)

Section 2. Standards.

2. Member organization policies will include:

Fraternity-chapter women's auxiliary groups (i.e. "little sisters") are not allowed (implemented no later than September 1, 2004)

[Ohsass]

Originally Posted by TSteven

AlphaFrog is correct.

NIC Resolution Regarding Little Sister Groups

WHEREAS, the North-American Interfraternity Conference believes sororities and women's fraternities offer excellent opportunities for women to share a fraternal experience; and

WHEREAS, auxiliary women's groups organized by menâs fraternity chapters, commonly referred to as "little sisters" are inconsistent with the concept and philosophy of separate and equal women's fraternities; and

WHEREAS, the National Interfraternity Conference believes that these groups inhibit the accomplishment of chapter goals by:

DIVERTING resources of time, efforts, and money, which are needed for chapter operations and programming;

DISTRACTING chapter members in the performance of essential duties (e.g., membership recruitment and membership education).

INVITING disharmony within the chapter by usurping the roles and responsibilities of initiated members;

WEAKENING the bonds of brotherhood by adversely affecting interpersonal relationships within the chapter; and

WHEREAS, the Fraternity Executives Association and several member fraternities have taken a position against these auxiliary groups,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Interfraternity Conference and the presidents of its member fraternities believe that "little sister" groups are not desirable adjuncts to the collegiate chapters of men's fraternities and urges and recommends that member fraternities work with their chapters to eliminate these programs at the earliest possible time.

Adopted by vote of the 1987 House of Delegates

And later, this resolution added to the NIC by-laws.

By-Laws of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
(Revised April 26, 2004)

Section 2. Standards.

2. Member organization policies will include:

Fraternity-chapter women's auxiliary groups (i.e. "little sisters") are not allowed (implemented no later than September 1, 2004)

That is very valuable information and I am grateful that you took the time to pass it on. I will pass it to my husband so that he can be sure it is clear to "his boys".

Can you help me out with one more thing please? Does this apply to "sweethearts" as well ? Are they considered the same things as little sisters or are they different? I can see that sweethearts could be placed in that same category. This would also then answer the very first post of this thread.

Further, if Sweethearts are included in this NIC by-law as well do you all then feel that it should apply to those who are lavaliered? Is it one individuals choice to allow his lavaliered mate to wear the letters or should that be a group/chapter or NIC decision?

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Ohsass

That is very valuable information and I am grateful that you took the time to pass it on. I will pass it to my husband so that he can be sure it is clear to "his boys".

Can you help me out with one more thing please? Does this apply to "sweethearts" as well ? Are they considered the same things as little sisters or are they different? I can see that sweethearts could be placed in that same category. This would also then answer the very first post of this thread.

Further, if Sweethearts are included in this NIC by-law as well do you all then feel that it should apply to those who are lavaliered? Is it one individuals choice to allow his lavaliered mate to wear the letters or should that be a group/chapter or NIC decision?

My pleasure.

I couldn't find any rule so I'm fairly certain that the NIC doesn't have any rules or standards regarding a chapter and or an inter/national sweetheart. My guess is that it doesn't apply simply because they - the sweethearts - are not members of the organization while "little sisters" were part - or an offshoot - of the organization.

The NIC isn't really concerned with the specific policies of their member organizations regarding letters. That is left up to each fraternity HQ. Then each chapter. In other words, if there is a specific policy in the fraternity's by-laws, that should supercede the chapters'. But if not, then I would guess each chapter would set their own protocol (rules/guidelines). That is, if they even have anything official. My guess is that the campus culture might influence whether they are given out or not as well.

As for girlfriends being given letters, again that would be up to each fraternity's HQ first, followed by chapter protocol, then campus culture.

[Ohsass]

Originally Posted by TSteven

My pleasure.

I couldn't find any rule so I'm fairly certain that the NIC doesn't have any rules or standards regarding a chapter and or an inter/national sweetheart. My guess is that it doesn't apply simply because they - the sweethearts - are not members of the organization while "little sisters" were part - or an offshoot - of the organization.

The NIC isn't really concerned with the specific policies of their member organizations regarding letters. That is left up to each fraternity HQ. Then each chapter. In other words, if there is a specific policy in the fraternity's by-laws, that should supercede the chapters'. But if not, then I would guess each chapter would set their own protocol (rules/guidelines). That is, if they even have anything official. My guess is that the campus culture might influence whether they are given out or not as well.

As for girlfriends being given letters, again that would be up to each fraternity's HQ first, followed by chapter protocol, then campus culture.

Thank you so much TSteven. You have cleared up a great many questions. I appreciate your help and time resolving this.