Stop the "Baby" Talk

[Football Fan]

The pansy, pearl and pine are all symbols in Delta Delta Delta. The explanation of these is public and included on many chapter websites.

New members are sometimes called pearls. The pearl in Tri Delta symbolizes the new member. The pearl grows and becomes a cherished jewel of great value and beauty.

[ASTalumna06]

I attended school after the new terms were adopted. However, on my campus, it seems there was always a mix of terms - in "formal" settings, it was recruitment and new members.. but "informal" settings it was sometimes rush and pledges.

Events were advertised as "recruitment," but girls would say they were "rushing". I even had a couple t-shirts that said "Rush AST" on them.

My nickname actually contains the word "pledge". And I just want to point out that I've never told someone that I'm "new membering a sorority".. it's pledging. I've always considered it such, and I wouldn't bat an eye if someone said that to me today.

I don't mind the word "recruitment" as much as I do "new member". Recruitment makes sense. New member doesn't.

And don't even get me started on the whole "baby" thing...