{sorority} bid day

Recruitment week 2012 has come to an end up at  823 West Jefferson Street in Tallahassee, FL.

50+ new pledges will soon be running from Wescott fountain with all of the seniors to this beautiful southern house. The rest of the chapter members will be excitedly waiting with open arms to welcome the new girls in.

It is super bittersweet for this to be my first year as a graduate, and my first year in four years not participating in recruitment. I always had a love/hate relationship with the week. I wasn't much a fan of the long hours spent practicing, the long hours spent voting, and the long hours spent waiting. But I loved the sisterhood you felt the entire week; the absolute pride you had in your house and in your sisters. 150 girls working as one for the same common goal - to bring home the best of the best. Girls who would become little sisters and friends, who would become involved within the house and on campus. Girls who would hold themselves up to the same high morals the chapter does as a whole. Values similar to ours - love, honor, and truth. Girls who would join our family.

Here are some pictures of recruitment weeks and bid days throughout the years.

Preference day and Bid night all in one - A tropical storm really screwed with our recruitment schedule.

My bid day buddy turned big sister turned best friend. I love you Haley!

My pledge class the first day of recruitment sophomore year.

Bid day sophomore year!

Some of my pledge class during recruitment week junior year!

My PC on bid day junior year!

My best friends and I the first day of recruitment senior year.

Bid day insanity. Seniors waiting for our new Phis to run to the fountain and find us!

Phis in blue, seniors in green. Such a wonderful day!

Wishing my chapter the best bid day ever. Wish I was there to celebrate!

xo, Jen

{life} the issue with greek life.

As I was perusing the internet searching for topic ideas for my persuasive speech on a policy issue (hello, I thought politics were supposed to stay out of general education classes??) I stumbled upon this helpful list. 

1. "Spontaneous human combustion is real." - Really?

2. "Do Americans have a credit card problem?" - .... I don't think this needs to be a speech topic.

3. "Fraternities and sororities do not serve a useful purpose." - And rant begins.

When I was a sophomore, my roommate and I decided to sign up for a sociology class to fulfill an AA requirement before we started to fully take classes in our majors. Turns out that we didn't actually need to take sociology in the first place, which we proceeded to complain about every day of that semester. One warning sign for this class - the teacher did not assign a book. As much as a I hate spending money on textbooks, I find that I am weary to take classes that do not require them. Sociology was a perfect example of that exact reason. We were forced to read horrible articles instead. Like that one time, when my lovely professor decided to make us read an article on the differences between "white" and "black" sororities.

MAIN POINT OF THE ARTICLE:

"White" sororities were founded for and are centered around helping the "white" woman find a husband.

"Black" sororities were founded for and are centered around helping the "black" woman further their networking and business skills.

I am not kidding.

Do you realize the B.S. I had to deal with all semester?

Problem #1 with this theory: I didn't realize there was such a thing as a "white" sorority. That is news to me. Especially since I am only half white.

Problem #2 with this theory: My fraternity was founded as a literary society at an all-women's college in 1852. 

Problem #3 with this theory: While we all joke about wanting to become trophy wives one day, in reality, my sisters are off to law school, medical school, pharmacy school, physician's assistant school, optometry school; to become fabulous teachers, fashion designers, accountants, counselors, and everything in between. Husbands? ...What?

While I understand that the whole purpose of sociology is to use your "sociological imagination" and look at the "big picture," let's look at some of the logic behind why the authors of this article decided "white" sororities are structured and run solely to find a sugar daddy.

1. We hold ceremonies for engagements. [something "black sororities do not do.] Oh, I'm sorry, do we not celebrate the sacred act of marriage with our closest friends and family members as a society?

2. We host mixers and social events with men. In fact, apparently everything we do is to secure that spot with a mens' organization. [I know sure and well that the multicultural sororities do this as well.] Yes, we are a social organization, but is it not true that a lot of the interaction we get with males is during philanthropic events?

You better believe I raised my hand in class and looked my professor in the eye and told him my issues with the article. He looked bewildered when I told him my fraternity was founded as a literary society in 1852 at an all-women's college. I also printed out our creed and brought it to class.

Got 'em.

Not only that, but where in my mission statement does it state anything about finding us a hubby?

"Founded in 1852, Phi Mu is a women's organization which provides personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendship through a shared tradition. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living, encouraging members to achieve their personal best." 

Oh, right. Nowhere.

To take this lovely rant back to the original list at the top, it bothers me to no end when people have this view. Joining a sorority was one of the best things I ever did. The friendships I have established with the women in my chapter are above and beyond friendships I have with any other person in this world. Yes, things aren't always perfect. Girls can get catty and TSM/TFM puts a horrible spin on Greek Life in general, but there are sorority women who do not act and think the way that horribly overrated website portrays us all as.

Sisters :)

My fraternity as a national organization has raised over $8 million dollars for Children's Miracle Network since 1986. That is something to be proud of.

What about all of the on-campus philanthropies that are run yearly? Dance Marathon is dominated by Greeks each year. With 95% of the participation from Greek organizations,  FSU's DM raised $486,927.30 for Children's Miracle Network last year.

I am starting to ramble now. I am just very passionate about this subject.

I love my sisters.

I love my creed.

I love Phi Mu.

What are your thoughts on the stereotypes of Panhellenic?

xo, Jen