A fraternity will choose one girl out of all the sororities to be there sweetheart when she is becoming a senior at university. The sweetheart is the closest girl to the majority of the fraternity house. She is the female representation of the house and is held in very high regard and is treated with the utmost respect she has morals and values similar to the boys in the house and is a female representation of such. She is their “best friend” and is apart of their house. She has a spot in the fraternity composite. She learns all the traditions of the house and brings her own to the house as she is affiliated with her own sorority. I think it is a cute notion for the entire house to respect a girl so highly they consider her one of their own.

Hazing is a process done by fraternity and some sorority houses where the pledges are hazed to bring down their individuality in order to conform to the group setting. Hazing is also done in the purpose of making sure pledges know that they are not active members of the house and is also done in the form of pledges doing favors or cleaning the house in order to earn their spot in the fraternity itself. Hazing is extremely illegal and there are many current regulations and rules that prevent such actions yet most houses find ways to still participate in the old-fashioned ways. These practices of hazing and belittling the pledges have been around since the very start of fraternities and the practices have been passed down for pledge class the pledge class in order to keep the ideals traditions and culture of the house the same. Technically illegal, it is tacitly understood that some houses take part in the practice. I think hazing is terrible and it is illegal for a reason. No one should be pressured to drink excessively or take part in activities that he or she is not comfortable in.

Indians place a black dot behind one ear in very important days such as the first day of school, a party, or travel to ward off negative energy and evil jealous spirits. This is symbolic as the ear hears all jealous remarks and the dot can block this from a person. Someone must place the dot for you, usually a mother, so this way someone is always protecting you which I think is a great notion.

The dirty song for sororities and fraternities is a song sung to each other during events and exchanges with the houses. It is topic secret, passed down from the very beginning of the chapters and shows the secretly sexual component that is made to be hidden. It is a form of rebellion from the rules placed upon the members. This is the most pure form of folklore of greek life as it is made purely by the people and is passed down through only word of mouth in fear of violating the written rules. It is an unspoken tradition as it breaks the rules of each houses yet all have one. It shows the rebellion that is human nature to break the rules and create fun. It also represents the sexual needs of both men and women and the use of song is the medium in which it is told to the other party. I personally think it is uncomfortable and that sexual needs are between two people not two houses of people.

Each girl and boy has their own greek name given to them during the initiation ceremony by the executive members of the house. Having a Greek name means you are associated in the Greek community and you have an identity other than yourself that you are representing in the house this tradition has been passed down since the very beginning of Greek community and it is a way to separate the Greek community from those who are not involved. It is representational of how a member is now immersed into the Greek community as they are now seen as Greek themselves. I enjoy having a Greek name as it gives you a special place in the house. Each name can be translated to English and they usually mean “beautiful”, “knowledgable”, or something along those sorts.