About the Author

Well. This probably should have been my first post, but life goes on. I'd like to introduce you to me (my first post was just introducing my blog). I feel like you all may have learned a lot about me just by reading my posts, but I'll go on and do a little introduction.

Hello, my name is Erin Harris. I am a senior business management major at Henderson State University. I have been a member of the Showband of Arkansas (specifically the color guard) for four years now. I have served as the Vice-President of Member Development and Director of Housing for Alpha Sigma Tau (Alpha Gamma) as well as a charter member of Sigma Alpha Iota (Mu Mu). I am actually graduating a semester early. I have been offered a job after graduation as a copy editor.

My dream was always to attend Henderson, but I had no intention of joining a social sorority. I found my sisters at the lowest point of my collegiate career, and here I am. Graduating a semester early with a job. That is not very common this day in age, and I know that my friends and family are very proud. I just really hope that I can be a beacon of light to others out there to follow your dreams and make them come true, no matter what happens!

An Open Letter to My Active Sisters (Since I'm An Alum)

To my remaining active sisters;

I would like to start off by saying thank you. Thank you for the laughs, the tears, and every memory we've ever made together. Some of you just recently became my sisters, but that means nothing when a semester feels like a life time. Thank you for filling me with hope for the future and letting me know that I am leaving my chapter in good hands. One day you'll be graduating and you'll know exactly what I'm feeling right now. Just remember to teach each new member class just as you've been taught (or even better) and our chapter will continue to grow in sisterhood and strength.

While I am excited to be heading out into the real world, I am also terrified. I'm scared of leaving all of this, all of you behind. What will I do on Monday nights with no chapter meetings? Or post-chapter Taco Bell? Or post-rush Taco Bell? Does Taco Bell even exist without my sisters? You've taught me so much about life and friendship and you didn't even know it. When I was down and all of the older sisters were studying for make-or-break tests, you didn't hesitate to stay by my side until I felt better (even though you were blowing off studying for English). It might have seemed like that's "what sisters are for" but you didn't have to do it. You did it because the day that we all said yes to one another, we all began teaching each other what true sisterhood is. You learned well. That's one of the reasons I have no fear about the future of this chapter. And to my little, you taught me what having a teenage daughter might be like. I think I handled it well though. Well, for the most part. You all also showed me how much I am truly capable of, and that's a lesson I'll need out in the real world. Thank you.

While you may say that us seniors are some of the reasons you are wearing these letters, you're one of the reasons I'm still wearing mine. Sorority life isn't an easy life. It's full of fun, laughter, heartache, and tears. It's a roller coaster. But at the end of the day I look at every girl that I helped recruit to the sorority and I remember that it's all worth it because I have all of you in my life. You may think that the graduating sisters changed this chapter, but all we did was bring you here. The future is up to you, and I know that all of you have the strength and ability to do it. In my time here I've seen many of you grow into stronger women (even you new initiates) and I can't wait to see you continue to grow. Every alum day I come to, every post on Facebook I see, I'll know that my chapter is okay. And whenever I have a little legacy, she'll have a chapter to come back to.

Dry your tears and I'll try to dry mine. This won't be easy, but I know you'll all be fine. You're all going to be great members of our sorority, our campus, and our society. This organization will teach you everything you need to know about the world if you let it. Whenever you graduate, I hope you feel the way I do right now. I am at peace with everything that is happening within our chapter (even though I'll totally lose it at commencement) and I am proud to be your sister and I wouldn't trade you for the world.

 

Why Should it Be a Competition?

If you haven't read this TSM article, I need you to just stop now and go read it here.

Now, if you've read that column, let's talk a little bit about what was said in it.

If you have any knowledge of Greek life, you know that college students have begun dividing the sororities into "Top Tier," "Middle Tier," and "Bottom Tier." This makes absolutely no sense, especially on a campus like mine where we have a grand total of three sororities. Obviously, one sorority would be top, one will be middle, and one will be bottom. However, I do not recognize these rankings because it is highly offensive. In my eyes, my sorority is the top sorority. In the eyes of the Alpha Xi Delta sisters, their sorority is top, the same goes for the ladies of Alpha Sigma Alpha. And why shouldn't we all think our sorority is the top sorority? We each get to see what happens behind closed doors, we get to see how strong our own sisterhood is. What is wrong is that we are letting people from outside of our sisterhoods affect how we view one another as sisters.

Greek men and women are often subjected to higher standards and expectations when it comes to friendships and how they work together. No one gets on a website and rates the marching band on how they work together and talk about one another. (At my school the band is like one huge family.) Why don't they do that? I'm not sure. Part two? I don't care. We view sororities completely different from an organization like the marching band, SGA, or SAB. No other organizations on campus feel as though they should be competing with one another, so why should the sororities feel like they have to fight and compete? We shouldn't.

I have so many friends in Alpha Xi Delta and Alpha Sigma Alpha, it's not even funny. I love these ladies so much. While we don't share letters, we share a love for being a part of something larger than just ourselves. We have devoted ourselves to serving our respective charities as well as our communities. The bottom line is we are all strong women who have dreams and are going to chase them. And we're going to do it with our sisters by our side. One of the older sisters in my sororities coined the phrase "Panhellinic sisters" within our chapter. I will definitely have my AST sisters as well as my panhel sisters by my side for the rest of my life. There is no need for competition among friends.

We as sisters (and panhellinic sisters) should come together to disbar the "tiers" that we are being divided in to. EVERY member of EVERY sorority has something to offer this world. What you look like or what letters you wear do not define your devotion to service or success, so why does it matter what sorority you join? Obviously, if you don't make a connection with the sisters don't join that sorority. But if you connect and then turn down a bid because it's a "bottom tier" sorority, you are viewing sororities all wrong.

         

AST loves ASA                              AST loves AXD