Traditions are one of the most fascinating things to me about fraternity/sorority life. I
The other day I was talking with some people about different fraternity/sorority traditions. They talked about how outdated lavaliering is and how awkward serenades can be as I listened on, because frankly, I was interested to hear their perspective and because I was a little taken back. Finally, someone from a southern east coast university piped up and mentioned how embarrassed a fraternity was when one of her Sisters got lavaliered by her boyfriend, a member of that fraternity.
A few years ago I visited a midwestern university that proudly displayed the names of all of the Sisters in the house who were lavaliered, pinned, or got engaged during that school year. I thought it was neat that the sorority took this so seriously. I was kind of jealous that they gave it so much respect. At this point in my membership, I had seen a handful of candle passes for engagement, but never did a Sister blow out the candle on the first or second pass... it was always the third, even though Sisters wore fraternity lavalieres.
After our conversation the other night I remembered a fraternity that colonized at my southern university last year. Under the leadership of a consultant from a west coast university, the new members learned to serenade sororities. This was not a part of our campus culture at all so it was a little bizarre to accept at the beginning even though we knew it was a longstanding fraternity tradition.
So I want to know, what traditions does your school hold on to?
What part of the country are you from?
What traditional fraternity/sorority activities does your school not participate in?
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I go to a small private university in Ohio. I love when our fraternity men serenade the sororities at my university! Only one fraternity does it on our campus and many women look forward to it every year. Unfortunately, one girl decided to complain about it and now it's considered hazing (I feel like everything at my school is considered hazing. While I do not agree with hazing and think it is wrong, I think my school is being a little over the top about it).
ReplyDeleteMy sorority also proudly displays the sisters who are lavaliered, pinned or engaged on a heart shaped board in our suite. I know being lavaliered by my boyfriend is one of my favorite collegiate memories and meant so much to me that his brothers and him trusted me to wear their letters.
At my school, serenades were a huge deal. Fraternities would send a note, sometimes with flowers, to our house. I was serenaded at our house when I became my boyfriend's fraternity's sweetheart and had a ceremony later at their house. I was proud to represent both AOII and Phi Delt. I was treated with the utmost respect by my boyfriend's brothers. My senior year my little became their sweetheart and I loved watching her go through the same "ritual" I did. It just added another level to our already incredibly strong bond.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of articles saying these traditions are outdated, but they are they ones I will always remember. I hope it doesn't totally disappear! I feel it creates ties and memories that go beyond the collegiate years.
southeastern school. Fraternities serenade
ReplyDeleteAt my school we have fraternities serenade. It's mainly pledges and they are NOT the traditional songs but it's always fun. We'd always have a few lavalieres too and only one engagement from my four years.
ReplyDeleteI think that is attributed to the hook up culture at my school instead of the lack of traditions. No one dated, ever. So to even get to a lavaliere point was a big deal. I always wished I could have had a candle pass though. Maybe I'll have the song sung at my wedding. I know there will be a gaggle of ADPis there. #TooManySisterFrands
~Joanie
www.flonmymind.com
I go to Oklahoma State University and we have tons of serenades! They are so cute! Lavaliering is not as common, but it does happen. Not a lot of people date in my Greek community; most have this "slam" attitude, which is obnoxious.
ReplyDeleteThis is not true. I also am in a sorority at okstate and there are many girls in my house who have been dropped (or lavaliered). Most every girl in my house is dating a greek guy.
ReplyDelete