question

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by GMUAPhiOAdvisor

Can I ask what might be a stupid question?

What is 25/52? I have never met a Gamma Sig, nor do I *know* any A Phi Q brothers (other than those I've *met* here on GC) so these differences are fascinating to me!

Just trying to learn as much as I can about ALL brothers/sisters/members/etc of all service organizations/fraternities/sororities/etc as possible!

No question is a dumb question

Basically what 25/52 is, by just looking at it, are the combined founding years for APO (1925) and GSS (1952). As I said in my first post, this was created for the men of APO and the women of GSS, as a brother/sister relationship. You will normally find this relationship to be most prevalent amongst "Viking" members of APO, but there are APO men who pledged at co-ed chapters who also embrace it as well. That is not to say, however, that 25/52 exists on EVERY campus in which there is a chapter of APO and GSS. There are schools in which both chapters operate completely independent from each other, and there are still other schools in which both chapters are extremely close; they not only socialize, but serve together often as well.

This relationship was created due to the historical ties that GSS has to APO. We share two founding principles (Service & Friendship), many GSS chapters received assistance from APO at the times of their founding, and one of the sorority's founders married an APO brother from Drexel. Also, during the early years of the sorority, it was customary for a representative from the Fraternity to attend our Conventions as an honored guest. For clarification as well, GSS stands for "Girls' Service Sorority".

I don't think the whole brother/sister concept between our organizations is new; I know of Gamma Sigs from the 60's, 70's and 80's calling members of APO "our brothers" but placing a title on it is. And it's still fairly new, with the term "25/52" being used beginning around the 90's I think (older APQ's would know for sure). Also, I find it safe to say also that people shouldn't assume that this is just something you find at HBCU's either. For example, one of the chapters in my district, Epsilon Beta at Clemson University, has a close relationship with the Gamma Lambda chapter of APO and they call them brothers as well.

Most Gamma Sigs will consider MALE members of APO to be their brothers (most but not all) and not the women, or even go as far as to just acknowledge APO members that are Vikes and not acknowledge those from co-ed chapters. Basically, it's whatever that person's preference is. I've seen the term "Sisters in Service" be used (as explained earlier in the thread) between Gamma Sigs and APO women, or if anything, simply not counting them in this group--which I know sounds mean, but it is what it is.

I hope I answered everything. This has become a book, lol but I think having an open discussion about this will take away those stereotypes and assumptions that people have about it.