Greek letters / spelling out letters

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

For whatever reason, it "feels" better when it's written out, rather than the symbols. It's been like that for years, but the advisor is right: there really is no difference.

Well, I would disagree with the advisor. Like you say, it depends on the policies and traditions of individual GLOs. For some orgs, there is a difference between the Greek letters and spelling out the letters in English. In my fraternity, only initiated brothers can wear the Greek letters; we don't even allow probationary members (pledges) to wear them. One way to think of it is that the letters spelled out simply indicate the name of the fraternity, while the Greek letters symbolize values or principles brothers have sworn to uphold. So if we're included on a tee shirt that will be worn by anyone other than brothers, the letters should be spelled out.

Then, of course, there's FIJI, which doesn't allow its letters on tee shirts to start with, much less allow non-members to wear its letters.

The advisor's "what's the difference" is just another example of why we should never assume that all GLOs do things the way our GLO does.

[MaryPoppins]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Then, of course, there's FIJI, which doesn't allow its letters on tee shirts to start with, much less allow non-members to wear its letters.

This policy puzzles me because a brother of FIJI asked the future Bettie Locke to wear a FIJI badge but then said that she wouldn't be a member. This is what led her to the found Kappa Alpha Theta with three friends. I guess they must have changed policies since 1869?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by MaryPoppins

I guess they must have changed policies since 1869?

I think that may be the case.

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

But in the case of the person she asked, there was no difference. Had she asked a Sinfonian or a PhiGam, they'd have had an answer, right?

Sort of, but that's my point. In the case of the person she asked, there was no difference (presumably) in her sorority. But her "what's the difference?" suggests there isn't one ever.

If there's one thing I've seen time and time again on GC, it's that there is an understandable tendency, particularly among collegiates or new alumni, to assume that the way things are done in "our" GLO or on "our" campus is the way they're done by everyone everywhere.

I'm not saying the advisor's response wasn't understandable. But a better response would have been "it varies according to policies of specific fraternities and sororities -- to some it matters and to others it doesn't -- and according to campus culture."

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Well, I would disagree with the advisor. Like you say, it depends on the policies and traditions of individual GLOs. For some orgs, there is a difference between the Greek letters and spelling out the letters in English. In my fraternity, only initiated brothers can wear the Greek letters; we don't even allow probationary members (pledges) to wear them. One way to think of it is that the letters spelled out simply indicate the name of the fraternity, while the Greek letters symbolize values or principles brothers have sworn to uphold. So if we're included on a tee shirt that will be worn by anyone other than brothers, the letters should be spelled out.

Then, of course, there's FIJI, which doesn't allow its letters on tee shirts to start with, much less allow non-members to wear its letters.

The advisor's "what's the difference" is just another example of why we should never assume that all GLOs do things the way our GLO does.

But in the case of the person she asked, there was no difference. Had she asked a Sinfonian or a PhiGam, they'd have had an answer, right?