Does the pledge have traits in common with a god/goddess? In chapters that have just one little sis per member, you would have lots of small families. If a potential new member meets all of her pledgeship requirements, she may be eligible for initiation, a secret ritual event during which she will become a full member of the sorority. Overall, selecting a unique and meaningful name for a sorority is an important task that calls for thoughtful consideration to ensure its success in the long-term. There are many celebrities who have been members of sororities over the years. Members of black sororities often call each other soror instead of sister. Some black sororities used to use a "brown paper bag test" if a potential new member's skin was darker than a paper bag, she would be ineligible to join [source: Pilgrim]. Not only is it crucial that you know your organizations history, but its also important that you know everything there is to know about your own chapter: history, founders, you name it. Omega Chi Chocolate Combining the symbols for omega and chi with the word chocolate, this frat might have the best cabin snacks around! While some sororities have a historical connection to a particular racial or ethnic community, they are not exclusive to any one race or ethnicity and strive to promote diversity and inclusion. Study up! Melissa Jo Murchison-Blake, founder of the sorority at UNC Chapel Hill in 1996, wanted to form a sisterhood that respected her biracial background she didn't want to have to choose between the NPC and NPHC organizations [source: Theta Nu Xi]. The test might have information about the organization's history, symbols or founding members as well as general information about the Greek system pretty much whatever a pledge has learned during the pledging process is fair game. A line name is a unique badge that signifies a members identity in a fraternity or sorority. Its also worth noting that stereotypes and reputations associated with sororities can be harmful and inaccurate, as they often do not reflect the individual experiences of the members. This is my caffeine, which gives life.'. This isn't the Mafia where you get your own family after you whack enough people & have enough territory. What do the pledges tastes in music look like? Sigma Kappa Zeta This funny name is not only a mix of Greek letters but also an acronym for students keeping zany. The graduate chapter of NPHC or Multicultural organization. Many sororities also require you pay dues and other fees, which can get steep - especially if youre already a poor student. With a large recruitment group, sometimes a computer algorithm can help by matching sororities and their favorite rushees with rushees and their preferred houses. Sororities began as a way for women to find intellectual and social companionship with one another. Some celebrity sorority sisters include Oprah Winfrey (Alpha Kappa Alpha), Eva Longoria (Delta Gamma), Britney Spears (Delta Delta Delta) and Taylor Swift (Alpha Phi). Some sororities choose names that have a historical or cultural significance, while others choose names that are unique or memorable. Sisters use the markers to circle areas of the pledge's body to indicate where they think the pledge needs to lose weight. Were your names Swahili WTB3? Greek Letter Organizations have names formed of usually 2 to 4 Greek letters. Each (inter)national organization has its own policy regarding legacies. A college student who is interested in joining a Greek Organization and is taking part in the recruitment process. Phi Mu: The name represents the sororitys founding principles of love, honor, and truth. Hazing can happen in any organized group including sports teams and military groups. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Shoot, maybe you just decided that you wanted to pledge yesterday. My individual line name was chosen because I was the one who always asked questions, and more questions. Fraternities and sororities engage in philanthropic activities, host parties, provide "finishing" training for new members such as instruction on etiquette, dress and manners, and create networking opportunities for their newly graduated members. Similar to a lavaliere but much larger and often made out of wood. Sorority names are typically derived from Greek letters and can be words, acronyms or even a combination of both. Lighten Your Workload While Youre on LineBelieve us: Youll thank yourself later. One of those was when Sigma Gamma Rho sorority was kicked out of Bowling Green State University in 2021 for "severe hazing activity," which included physical violence, forced drug and alcohol consumption and pressure to steal items [source: Moody]. Location: only the best city in the world, This forum is for various discussion topics regarding greek life. Delta Chi Sundae For those with a sweet tooth, Delta Chi Sundae brings out all the sugary goodness of ice cream sundaes! But are you financially prepared? For example, rushees at Texas Christian University (TCU) spend the first day of recruitment watching informational videos on each sorority chapter, which typically covers things like philanthropic focuses, academic and leadership expectations and information about each group's social endeavors. If a sorority member would like to engage in behavior not becoming of the sorority, she cannot wear her letters. https://goo.gl/forms/9wMYAFWeEj5TteFk1 My Fraternity: http://www.phibetasigma1914.org**DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not a reflection of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. The large necklace worn with large Greek letters on them. But first, let's take a look at how these organizations of sisterhood came into being. A term used by sorority members to refer to one another. A term used by fraternity members to refer to one another. Members participate in community service projects such as Adopt-A-School or Make A Difference Day to build their sense of camaraderie while making a difference in the lives of those around them. What may be right for one woman may not be right for another even if you are a legacy with your mother and grandmother in good alumna standing with a certain sorority. Naturally, this means each line name should be unique. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. "National Panhellenic Conference Member Organizations." Here are some of the most well-known sororities that are not historically African American: Its important to note that these sororities are open to all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, and aim to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members. Sororities with houses usually have a house mom, who coordinates the day-to-day affairs of the sorority from meals to maintenance and enforces house rules, like no alcohol. Idk about all sororities but I know many are like that. The term used to refer to the particular campus or university a chapter is at. Recent instances of sorority hazing have made headlines. What possessions does the pledge have? Many sorority members participate in campus philanthropy organizations as well. These sororities cater to a specific cultural interest a sorority for Asian-American women or Latina women, for example. . The University of Michigan says that hazing includes "willful acts, with or without the consent of the individual involved," that cause "physical injury; assault or battery; kidnapping or imprisonment; physical activity that knowingly or recklessly subjects a person or persons to an unreasonable risk of physical harm or to severe mental or emotional harm; degradation, humiliation, or compromising of moral or religious values; forced consumption of any substance; placing an individual in physical danger, which includes abandonment; and undue interference with academic endeavors." Moreover, many sisters of a particular sorority often use nicknames as social shorthand for their groups name. And yes, that includes your songs (and strolls). Alpha Chi Omega, for example, is one of the oldest sororities in existence and is well-known for its ethos of sisterhood and leadership. While colleges are cracking down on hazing, it also still happens, which is never a good experience and is quite problematic. In this video, I will describe the process in which line names are created. Aug 23, 2006. Fraternities and sororities, also called Greek Letter Organizations, are social organizations at colleges and universities found primarily in the United States and the Philippines. 2012 (July 15, 2022) https://www.thetanuxi.org/, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, The University of Mississippi Panhellenic Council. Rush usually consists of a few rounds. Watch this video to find out!If you have video suggestions please click on the link below to submit them! Moreover, many sororities have rituals or traditions associated with their nicknames that add to their culture and history. Nine international organizations (fraternity and sorority), NPHC organizations call themselves the "Divine Nine.". Alpha Delta Taco An ode to tacos, Alpha Delta makes it clear that these girls appreciate Mexican food! At some schools, a rushee has to rush all sororities meaning she must meet with each group at least once and attend each rush event. This isn't the Mafia where you get your own family after you whack enough people & have enough territory. But for others, it can be the very opposite. . The process chapters conduct to recruit, interview, choose, and educate new members. In order to choose a name for a new sorority, it is important to consider factors such as purpose, uniqueness, pronunciation, marketability, and history. During the last part of Panhellenic sorority recruitment, a potential new member determines which particular sorority she is willing to join. Alpha Chi Omega: The name represents the sororitys founding principles of wisdom, devotion, and achievement. Black sororities have also faced accusations of exclusionary behavior in the form of colorism discrimination against members of one's own ethnic group. Dues are expensive. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. The mutual selection process that prospective members and chapter members go through during the recruitment period to get to know one another. Top 10 Most Famous Sororities And Fraternities, Impact of Greek Life on Leadership Development. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. When you hear the word "sorority," what comes to mind? Make sure to check it out if you want to be well equipped on how to join an organization! This process is automatic. However, the semester that youre on line might not be the best time to enroll in Organic Chemistry. Some chapters charge fees as high as nearly $3,000 per semester [source: The University of Mississippi Panhellenic Council]. According to a University of Maine national survey, about half of all students acknowledge that they belong to groups that haze. Dont get us wrong: Were not telling you to slack off for a semester. Macon, Georgia, saw the first secret society for women in 1851: the Adelphean Society (now called Alpha Delta Pi). The central organization of a particular fraternity or sorority. They are typically single-sex organizations and have a strong focus on promoting brotherhood or sisterhood, personal development, and community service. Is there some sort of theme for this years line? how do sororities pick their line names. A line name is a unique badge that signifies a member's identity in a fraternity or sorority. Most have a deep meaning to that organization or ritualistic symbol. Kappa Alpha Theta: The name represents the sororitys values of academic excellence, leadership, personal growth, and sisterhood. Desirable rushees will receive invitations to the next round. Term used to refer to an older brother/sister from your chapter. The number you are assigned based on the chronological order you are in on your initiation line (often members of other culturally based organizations identify or relate to one another by distinguishing that they are the "same" number). That sounds pretty much like what our chapter did. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST) Established in 1913, DSTs mission is to promote academic excellence, political awareness, and social action. Sororities will often hold fundraisers like basketball games and fishing tournaments. According to research conducted by Auburn University, the average initiation cost for joining a National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority can run anywhere from $700 to $2,500. What are the pledges favorite fictional characters? So, what is life in a sorority really like? A ritual ceremony that designates the start of a new member process. Joining a sorority requires full commitment, with a ton of meetings, parties, fundraisers and events that you have to be a part of on top of your regular studies. The umbrella organization for 26 women's fraternities. When you think of a sorority, you're probably thinking of a national sorority. Such hazing acts are done in order to pledge or otherwise be initiated into membership in any group. Additionally, many sisters of a particular sorority often use nicknames as social shorthand for their groups name. It may be an open discussion between members of the sorority or a more confidential, written process. The hardest sorority to get into is often debated, but some of the most competitive can include Alpha Phi at Harvard University, Delta Gamma at the University of California, Berkeley, and Kappa Alpha Theta at Stanford University. It sounds like everyone in her chapter basically fits into one of four "families" and she wants a smaller family unit. Sororities like these now fall under the umbrella of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), a congress of 26 national and international sororities. Naturally, this means each line name should be unique. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms. 6 August 2007. . Calls may vary regionally within organizations, and some organizations may use more than one call. Sororities are social organizations for women that are found on college and university campuses, similar to fraternities for men. Marking the transition with a special ceremony, which has been upheld for decades or even a century, is meant to have a powerful effect on the initiate, tying her to a tradition, the ideals of the founders and an idea of sisterhood. actuallygoodteamnames.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Its a Life-Long CommitmentYour sorority affiliations dont end on graduation day. Many schools have transitioned to at least one "virtual" round, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The names of sororities are often chosen for their historical significance, cultural heritage, and symbolic meaning. Press, 2018) (July 21, 2022) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304194128_Hazing_in_Fraternities_and_Sororities, Pilgrim, David. Maybe the intake deadline passed. Social media is another relatively new tool in the recruitment process. Here are some examples of sorority names and symbols: Thesesorority names were auto-generated. You may be used to telling your girlfriends everything and then some, but youre going to have to remain mum on this area of your life. Does your fraternity or sorority need custom t-shirts? I post NPHC advice videos every Tuesday. [1] Your line brothers or sisters will stick by you through your college experience and beyond, supporting you and keeping you in check whenever you need them. Why do you need to branch off? A member who has been initiated into lifelong fraternity or sorority membership and participates in chapter activities at the collegiate level. For example, 90s sitcoms, famous authors, etc. and that's where the Divine came from. Just sayin. Before you take the Divine Nine plunge, read through our guide and make sure you know all there is you need to know. Congrats! If you want to change up some of the traditions (like song or name) do that, but you don't need to disassociate yourself from your family line. Youve thought long and hard, and youve finally decided to join a sorority. If a potential new member accepts a sorority bid, she becomes a new member, more commonly known as a pledge. Sisters are forbidden to reveal the sorority ritual or its secrets. There are 49 of us so that is self explanitory. The name given to a pledge class. Brother A term used by fraternity members to refer to one another. Big Brother or Sister An active member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a mentor to a new member, guiding him or her through the new member program and initiation.