Meaning of the a Pearl?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ADPi_girl09

Im an ADPi from kentucky. Last night we had a candlelight and found out that one of my sisters was pearled by her boyfriend, who is in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. I just joined ADPi in the fall and dont know much about the traditions of lavaliering or pearling anyway, but my boyfriend is also in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia so it made me curious. I know that Phi Mu Alpha letters are very, very sacred and i found a few websites that said that they are not to be given to girlfriends, that girlfriends may only wear the words spelled out or something that says "sinfonia sweetheart" or w/e. Is this true? What are the rules about Phi Mu Alpha lavaliering?

Hi, ADPi_girl09! Yes, per our national laws only initiated brothers may wear the Greek letters Phi Mu Alpha, and brothers may not authorize or encourage non-brothers to wear our letters. That rules out traditional lavaliers.

Our HQ does sell some things with "Sinfonia Sweetheart" on them, but I've always understood those to be more geared toward a chapter sweetheart than a brother's girlfriend. Since the formal ban on giving letters/lavaliers to girlfriends is relatively recent (although it reflects long-standing practice among the majority of chapters), I think new traditions have been bubbling up. The pearling you mention may be an example of that.

Originally Posted by ADPi_girl09

Or since it is a music fraternity, not a social fraternity, can they only pearl their girlfriends? Any information anyone can give me would be great.

Phi Mu Alpha is a social fraternity. It is a "special interest" (music) rather than a general fraternity, and it is not a member of the NIC (though it is a member of IFC on many campuses), but it is a social fraternity.

[ADPi_girl09]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Hi, ADPi_girl09! Yes, per our national laws only initiated brothers may wear the Greek letters Phi Mu Alpha, and brothers may not authorize or encourage non-brothers to wear our letters. That rules out traditional lavaliers.

Our HQ does sell some things with "Sinfonia Sweetheart" on them, but I've always understood those to be more geared toward a chapter sweetheart than a brother's girlfriend. Since the formal ban on giving letters/lavaliers to girlfriends is relatively recent (although it reflects long-standing practice among the majority of chapters), I think new traditions have been bubbling up. The pearling you mention may be an example of that.

Phi Mu Alpha is a social fraternity. It is a "special interest" (music) rather than a general fraternity, and it is not a member of the NIC (though it is a member of IFC on many campuses), but it is a social fraternity.

Like i said, i dont really know a whole lot about it, so i was just wondering. Thanks for you help. Another question, i considered getting my boyfriend more letters for christmas, because he has been saying he really needs to get some. I didnt for the simple reason that i know the letters are very sacred. I didnt know if i would be allowed to. Also, hes more easy going than i am, but idk how i would feel if he got me letters. Its not really personal that way. Is there any kind of rules about this?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ADPi_girl09

Another question, i considered getting my boyfriend more letters for christmas, because he has been saying he really needs to get some. I didnt for the simple reason that i know the letters are very sacred. I didnt know if i would be allowed to. . . . Is there any kind of rules about this?

No, there are no rules that would prevent you from giving him letters.

[ADPi_girl09]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

No, there are no rules that would prevent you from giving him letters.

Awesome. Thanks!