my very long rush experience - Page 3

canadajen · #31 10-25-2006, 02:11 PM

Congratulations on finding your greek home & for following your heart!!

Your story was amazing, and I echo what may others have already said - you should seriously consider becoming a writer.

Best wishes to you!

_Lisa_ · #32 10-25-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I've never really understood that thought process. It's ok to not allow new members to participate in ritual or wear a pin, but it's hazing if they can't wear letters???

I think that when HQ explicitly says that PNM's are allowed to wear letters before iniation they are trying to diffuse any potential hazing situations where a PNM might feel as if she has to "work" for the honor of wearing them.

ms_gwyn · #33 10-25-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexandrapaige

On September 29, 2006, I was offered a bid to join the amazing girls of Ari—excuse me, Sigma Sigma Sigma. I’ve never felt happier or more at home than I do with these girls. I’m pledging with seventeen other amazing girls and I can’t wait for us all to wear letters. We’re the largest pledge class this year and, because my school just got rid of informal rush, the biggest Sigma’s ever had. Also, my rho chi is a sigma!!! As soon as she showed us her letters I ran over and gave her a huge hug. She had been amazing during rush, I was so excited that I would soon have her as a sister.

Welcome to Tri Sigma!!!!

I got so involved in your story that when you revealed that it was Sigma, I gasped and there was silence around my work station b/c people thought something tragic had happened. I am so excited for you!!!

Just so you know, I understand the campus culture, but when I was a pledge (a very long time ago and my first time as a pledge to Sigma) we were allowed to wear letters. But I understand the thought on waiting....it will be a very special moment when you get put on letters for the first time after your initiation.

Stop by the Tri Sigma forum!

Sigma love,
Gwyn

Drolefille · #34 10-25-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Lisa_

I think that when HQ explicitly says that PNM's are allowed to wear letters before iniation they are trying to diffuse any potential hazing situations where a PNM might feel as if she has to "work" for the honor of wearing them.

Plus the SK new member pin IS a Sigma (snake) and a Kappa. So, it wouldn't make sense anyway at least as far as we are concerned.

I figure that even though the new members don't know what the letters mean, they've pledged to join, learn and uphold the values that they learn. Their wearing of the letters is a reminder of that pledge, just like it's a reminder to the actives of the promises we've made.

AND OP:

Congrats to you and Tri Sigma!

KSUViolet06 · #35 10-25-2006, 02:31 PM

What chapter are you from dear?

SigKapSweetie · #36 10-25-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Lisa_

I think that when HQ explicitly says that PNM's are allowed to wear letters before iniation they are trying to diffuse any potential hazing situations where a PNM might feel as if she has to "work" for the honor of wearing them.

Co-sign!

Drolefille · #37 10-25-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

My organization has this policy as well and although I respect it, I don't really see the logic. I understand that saying you can't wear letters could be perceived as hazing, but how is it any different from denying a NM the right to wear a pin or participate in ritual? Can't it be hazing to tell a NM they have to sit outside chapter while ritual is being conducted? Or that there will be a special meeting after the regular meeting that only initiated members are allowed to attend? I just think if denying the right to wear letters is hazing then everything else should be too. Personally I don't think any of it is hazing... but that's a whooooole other topic!

See my post above for my take on it. It think it's also partially because it was used as a hazing tool. It's like scavenger hunts. They're not necessarily hazing, but they've been used that way too often.

33girl · #38 10-25-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterXO

My organization has this policy as well and although I respect it, I don't really see the logic. I understand that saying you can't wear letters could be perceived as hazing, but how is it any different from denying a NM the right to wear a pin or participate in ritual? Can't it be hazing to tell a NM they have to sit outside chapter while ritual is being conducted? Or that there will be a special meeting after the regular meeting that only initiated members are allowed to attend? I just think if denying the right to wear letters is hazing then everything else should be too. Personally I don't think any of it is hazing... but that's a whooooole other topic!

Personally, I think it all depends whether your letters have an open meaning or not. If the pledges really have no clue what they mean until after initiation, I can see the logic behind preventing wearing them.

And as AlphaFrog said - if the other chapters on campus don't wear letters before initiation, right or wrong, I as a pledge wouldn't want to either. To tell the girls they HAVE to wear letters before initiation is just as bad as the reverse.

_Lisa_ · #39 10-25-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

See my post above for my take on it. It think it's also partially because it was used as a hazing tool. It's like scavenger hunts. They're not necessarily hazing, but they've been used that way too often.

Exactly! You've hit the nail on the head.

sailboatgirl · #40 10-25-2006, 02:52 PM

CONGRATULATIONS! Welcome to Tri Sigma!

I, too, just let out a little yelp! My coworkers thought that my friend's daughter (one of my sorority sister's) who is in the hospital had taken a bad turn...which she hasn't!

greekalum · #41 10-25-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

I'd like to think that inter/national policy would supersede campus culture and chapters would be smart enough to respect that rather than risk getting in hot water with their HQs.

Oh, how I wish that, as well. And on a few issues that are in my mind bigger deals than when you wear letters. Campus culture/'everyone does it' is tough to buck, but aren't collegiate women strong enough to resist peer pressure?

EGAOPi · #42 10-25-2006, 04:26 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!! welcome to Greek life...it's such an amazing thing. I'm so glad you found a home in TriSigma...it sounds like you're having the time of your life! <3

adpiucf · #43 10-25-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekalum

aren't collegiate women strong enough to resist peer pressure?

LOL. Ummm no. If they were, they wouldn't cry on Bid Day.

ETA: Congrats on Tri-Sigma and I am sorry we hijacked your thread with this debate. Your nationals does permit your new members to wear sorority letters before initiation, but it is your choice if you would like to wear them now or never!

#44 10-25-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekalum

Oh, how I wish that, as well. And on a few issues that are in my mind bigger deals than when you wear letters. Campus culture/'everyone does it' is tough to buck, but aren't collegiate women strong enough to resist peer pressure?

Yep, I'm aware of the bigger issues. If it's the letters now, then who's to say that it won't escalate into something that could potentially harm a member for real?

adpiucf · #45 10-25-2006, 04:35 PM

According to ADPi standards, UCLA Presents is considered hazing, but the chapter participates anyway. What makes it hazing? The sororities all participate and invite the parents of the new members to a special event where they "present" the new members of their sorority. To ADPi this event is considered hazing because the new members wear white and the initiated members wear black.

But we have bigger fish to fry in the grand scheme of sorority life... For example, DID YOU KNOW that not only did Morgan Fairchild star as the Alumna of All Evil in the new TV movie "The Initiation of Sarah"... but she was ALSO a lead in the original 1978 cast?