Question about letters - Page 2

ProudandTrue · #16 10-28-2011, 08:45 PM

I think you should definitely speak to your New Member Educator, and maybe even an advisor. If this is a chapter tradition, you should NOT have to buy your own first set of letters. I would be really upset if I were you, too.

Always AlphaGam · #17 10-28-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by December190

No, you were correct. We're here second pair of twins.

My twin is coming over later and I guess we're going to talk it out and decide what to do.

I don't want to put my big in a bad financial situation but at the same time... ugh, I don't know. I guess I already stated everything. I'm just disappointed.

Agree with everyone who suggested talking it out with your New Member Educator.

My collegiate chapter is on the small side, so a collegian taking on twins is a pretty common thing. Over the years we've received SOS e-mails from the Chapter Advisor asking for alumnae help whenever some of the sister-moms are having financial issues and we've helped out whenever possible. Hopefully your NME will take care of this.

If there was a way for me to buy you your first letters, I would. It really makes me

to hear about this.

Psi U MC Vito · #18 10-28-2011, 09:36 PM

Is this one of those guy/girl things? I had to wait a year before I got my crossing present from my Big. It didn't bother me in the least. The fact that he bought letter stuff for himself after I became a Brother on the other hand...

DrPhil · #19 10-28-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Is this one of those guy/girl things?

No.

Psi U MC Vito · #20 10-28-2011, 09:56 PM

Would your answer differ if I said NPC/NIC things like I should have?

DrPhil · #21 10-28-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Would your answer differ if I said NPC/NIC things like I should have?

I just know it isn't a sorority-fraternity difference and I don't think it is even an NPC-NIC thing.

There are some NPHC chapters where things are done in a similar manner. And then there are NPHC chapters that are less formal. In my collegiate chapter the older Sorors paid for the line shirts and a few inexpensive items; a particular older Soror buys one of the newer members a few inexpensive items like license plates; and the newly initiated Sorors were responsible for buying our own line jackets, paddles, or whatever more expensive items with Delta symbols.

33girl · #22 10-29-2011, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Is this one of those guy/girl things? I had to wait a year before I got my crossing present from my Big. It didn't bother me in the least. The fact that he bought letter stuff for himself after I became a Brother on the other hand...

No, not really. Different campi have different traditions. (The fact that you even use the word "crossing" is one of them.

)

December190 - you are not putting your big in a bad financial situation. She did that to herself. If she couldn't afford it, she shouldn't get a pass - especially if there are other sisters who haven't had a little yet and are waiting to take one until they have the money.

jazing · #23 10-29-2011, 01:03 AM

Well ... my big knows I am making his paddle, so he knows to spend money on my jersey. It is the cost of taking in a little, and my big has mild to bad$$ situations too.

Tradition is, buy paddle, get letters.

DeltaBetaBaby · #24 10-29-2011, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

December190 - you are not putting your big in a bad financial situation. She did that to herself. If she couldn't afford it, she shouldn't get a pass - especially if there are other sisters who haven't had a little yet and are waiting to take one until they have the money.

In some chapters, it is not that easy to say "no" to taking a little. There can be a huge amount of pressure to do so, especially if there is a fear that a NM may drop if she isn't paired with a really good big.

Now, this is not the OP's problem; it is something that the big and the chapter and the NM educator should have worked out in advance, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the big was begging to take twins.

DrPhil · #25 10-29-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

(The fact that you even use the word "crossing" is one of them.

)

Good point!

melindawarren · #26 10-29-2011, 01:00 PM

December190-you said you met with your twin. How did it go?

December190 · #27 10-31-2011, 05:43 PM

My twin is even more unhappy than I am.

She is digging her heels in about not paying for anything for the the jacket.

I wanted to be united so I let her send a text to our big saying we'd be willing to wait until after initiation to get our letters whenever she has the money.

But then I had to go and undermind my twin because something was just nagging me and I felt really bad for my big. I offered to buy my jacket if she'd buy the letters and everything for my twin and also keep it a secret but she turned me down? I think she might be upset with us now.

Now I'll just have to wait it out and see what happens.

KSUViolet06 · #28 10-31-2011, 06:05 PM

Not gonna lie, I probably would have given someone A SERIOUS side eye if they told me I had to pay for my own gift (on top of a ton of things you're paying for as a NM anyway.)

I'm sorry but no chapter tradition should be causing this type of issue to the point that NMs are mad, Bigs are financially stressed and asking NMs to contribute to their own gifts.

Do you know if other NMs/Bigs are having similar issues or is it just you two? Have you brought this up to your NM Ed person yet?

Also, my collegiate chapter has hit a similar growth spurt (they have 50 NMs and fewer active sisters) Obviously a lot of sisters are taking on twins. I see older members sort of scaling back on the shirts and things to accomodate that. For example: it's typical for the Big Sis to give the NM matching letters at Reveal. It's usually a hoodie if you have one Little Sis. People with twin Littles scale back a little and give out long sleeved tee letters, cardigans, v-necks, something that's still nice but not as expensive.

DeltaBetaBaby · #29 10-31-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Also, my collegiate chapter has hit a similar growth spurt (they have 50 NMs and fewer active sisters) Obviously a lot of sisters are taking on twins. I see older members sort of scaling back on the shirts and things to accomodate that. For example: it's typical for the Big Sis to give the NM matching letters at Reveal. It's usually a hoodie if you have one Little Sis. People with twin Littles scale back a little and give out long sleeved tee letters, cardigans, v-necks, something that's still nice but not as expensive.

I had three littles in the course of two semesters. I hit up some older members of my family for pass-downs in good condition. Some of it was the type of stuff that you get as an initiation gift, never use, and then may as well just give to the next generation anyway.

33girl · #30 10-31-2011, 10:31 PM

I'm going to ask...how much IS the jacket?

Is this like an unlined windbreaker or something lined and fairly heavy that you can feasibly wear year round?

I mean I know what I (and the other people from my school on here) am picturing when I hear "jacket" but I know I might be wrong.