Page 18 - 1909 November - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 13

college forward and upward on every side,—educational, athletic

and social,—to make it mellower, finer, richer, more enjoyable and

more spiritual.

For this purpose we desire girls who will be earnest, active, inter-
esting, devoted. And we want them varied, some for one phase of
college life, some f o r another. Above all, we want girls whose devo-
tion will be tendered to the college life as a whole, not given only to
Alpha; nor must their friendships be circumscribed. Then, indeed,
they will love truly, bound by a cause. Then, indeed, will they be
prepared for the larger alumnae spirit, the purpose of which is to
apply the same large duty to life.

But, some critics of fraternity-life may say, "Why not have
mere clubs for this purpose?" And that leads us to the second ob-
ject for which the members of a fraternity are chosen.

Second. That they, as our sisters, may have with us a home in
our Alma Mater for all time, where we are none of us ever passee,
but always welcome and in touch with the college-life. That we
may all have sisters and friends ready at our call forever in all
corners of the earth,—women who speak our language, are our kind,
share our personal interests, are already beloved.

A l l fraternal orders are on this side splendid instruments of
preparation for the larger brotherhood of man. And where is a
better rooting-place for an order of sisterhood than in the pure and
delightful garden of college friendships? For this purpose we choose
girls with whom we feel at ease, girls with the simplicity and frank-
ness of manner and action, that make understanding direct, girls
who are real and true, girls who will not come unless they care for
us and will care for us loyally, i f they come.

I n all of this, there is no necessity apparent that every girl so
chosen should dress to please every member of a chapter, should have
been popular with somebody's cousin's brothers at some place or
other, should have "social position" whatever that may be, should be
pretty,—though all clean, high-minded, clever girls are that,—and
so forth. You know, every fraternity knows, some of the absurd
objections that often cause the strongest girls to be neglected, until,
in the junior or senior year everybody wants and regrets them.
There are not few girls fit to help us to form such a gathering. There
are many. And, of course, we want to choose the most fit.

How can we do so at sight, by wild diving into a new class, one
fraternity grabbing the show girls from the clutches of another, as
at the traditional bargain counter? There is no real need for haste.
There are always enough to go 'round; and nobody can know who is
best at this breakneck speed. I t seems to me quite necessary that
fraternities get over the hysteria attendant upon "rushing." Quiet-