Little Sisters

[TNK274]

Why does SigEp not have lil sisters?

[33girl]

Most fraternities discontinued their little sister programs in the mid to late 1980s because of Title IX and risk management issues. Some chapters still might, but it's usually without the consent or knowledge of their national HQ.

And giving a random Greek woman a sweatshirt with your letters on it and calling her your "little" does not constitute a "little sister program." If your chapter does not do this, be glad - it's lame and just an excuse to create drama.

[ree-Xi]

Plus, who would want to wear some other group's letters?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Plus, who would want to wear some other group's letters?

Some little sister programs did not allow their members to be members of a sorority...so wearing "some other group's letters" was not a question. The fraternity was the only group they had an affiliation with.

[wordjunky]

SigEp actually did institute a national "Golden Hearts" program in the early '70s, complete with registration and official pins, etc. However, as was stated in a prior post there were legitimate fears that anti-discrimination legislation would not allow Greeks to keep same-sex status and still qualify for tax advantages (i.e 501c3 status) if they had sex based "classes of membership".

After a few years, and a number of other complications with the program, HQ decided to shut down the program. And because the discrimination lawsuits had already affected Jaycees and other traditionally all-male groups it was decided not to have ANY programs and to discourage chapters from having their own.

Do I agree or disagree with that? Not the point. It is simply history.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Some little sister programs did not allow their members to be members of a sorority...so wearing "some other group's letters" was not a question. The fraternity was the only group they had an affiliation with.

I was speaking to your reply:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Most fraternities discontinued their little sister programs in the mid to late 1980s because of Title IX and risk management issues. Some chapters still might, but it's usually without the consent or knowledge of their national HQ.

And giving a random Greek woman a sweatshirt with your letters on it and calling her your "little" does not constitute a "little sister program." If your chapter does not do this, be glad - it's lame and just an excuse to create drama.

[33girl]

Oh, ok. Yes, in that instance, I don't get it either.

[TNK274]

thanks, I just attended our regional academy and discussed this with a few brothers from chapters that have little sisters, and some that have programs similar to them but not completely alike, it gave me the insight I was looking for