For my final required blog post, I decided to write about perception of Greek organizations on campus. Fraternities and sororities are defined as fraternal social organizations for collegiate students. These organizations are usually divided by sex: fraternities are typically restricted to men, and sororities typically for women. However, sometimes there are exceptions to this rule, and I am a part of one of these particular organizations.
Just two weeks ago, I was officially initiated as a sister into Sigma Alpha Iota, the International Music Fraternity. Started in 1903 at the University of Michigan School of Music, Sigma Alpha Iota currently has 222 active collegiate chapters and 120 active alumnae chapters. SAI is one of the few Greek organizations that has such a strong life after a student's undergraduate experience. Regardless of where a sister of SAI chooses to relocate after graduation, she is bound to have an SAI alumnae chapter available to her relatively close.
I have truly had the time of my life getting to know all of the amazing sisters and sharing a common bond through music. My big sister and I have a wonderful relationship; already we have supported each other in our recitals and other performances, and are generally very close. I've developed friendships with girls that span all majors in Hartt, and I know that I certainly would not have become friends with them, or even made conversation, had I not been a part of SAI. However, telling my friends and family hasn't gone without its struggles and confusion on the other end of things.
One of the biggest points of confusion from my family and friends when telling them I was part of an International Music Fraternity was this: "How can you be in a fraternity when you're a girl? Aren't fraternities only for boys? How does that even work?" Truth be told, I too, was initially confused when I heard it was a fraternity. After the collegiate level, adults who have had an active life in music(i.e faculty members at a college where there is a chapter of SAI) can be named a Distinguished Member, for their contributions to music on a national and/or international level. There are four types of distinguished membership, two of which can be presented to either a man or a woman. So, because a post-collegiate member can be male, Sigma Alpha Iota is considered a fraternity, although at the collegiate level it is more like a sorority.
Another main concern people had when I told them I was a member of SAI was this: "Don't sorority girls just party all the time? Did you have to endure hazing while pledging?"
Again, I can understand why those close to me would have these concerns. Many Greek organizations unfortunately, have a reputation of constant partying and hazing for their pledges because these occurrences do exist. However, I can honestly say that neither of these exist in Sigma Alpha Iota. In fact, their opposition of these activities is a large portion of their statement and ideals. As SAI members, we are not allowed to talk about anything related to the organization at parties where they may be any kind of illegal or underage activity, even if we are not partaking in it. Also, at such events where this may be a possibility, we are not allowed to wear our SAI pins, as wearing them means we will behave in a way that is proper and respectful.
In terms of hazing, SAI has absolutely no tolerance for it. In fact, there is an entire policy on hazing in our handbook, and is explained in great detail. At one of the first recruitment events, the sisters made a huge posterboard explaining this policy, and that it simply isn't done. With any sort of event for the pledges, our Vice President of Membership made sure to run every little detail by us, and stressed the importance of our comfort with any situation. If we were in fact uncomfortable with any portion of a ceremony or event, it was considered hazing. So, in that sense, SAI is very fervent about making sure illegal or disturbing activities are not associated with the sisters.
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