Page 13 - 1911 February - To Dragma

84 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

the mad whirl of festivities when the "battle is on" let each girl feel
doubly the need of being herself; for after all, the initiates to be
won will be initiates for but a few brief weeks—then they become
sisters for four years of intimate companionship, and in a broader
way, for all time. What use have you for a mate who has come to you
dazzled by the idea that you are something other than you are.

"Oh when I was in love with you,
Then I was clean and brave
And miles around the wonder grew
How well did I behave.

And now the fancy passes by,
And nothing will remain
And miles around they'll say that I
Am quite myself again."

So too in the gatherings that are general and bear the stamp of
your fraternity, let them be individually yours. Get rid of all the
externals! In these days of intense rivalry, many rushing parties
have become so overladen with the externals of caterers and colored
waiters, fine clothes and formality, they have almost entirely lost
their character of undergraduate times. The jar to naturalness has
been raised and only Herculean effort will overcome it.

After all what is the object of a rushing party? To make the
rushee enjoy herself. She is far more likely to do it if she is made
to forget herself, than if she is simply impressed by the resources at
the fraternity's command. But the vital ethical point in rushing is
the intersorority attitude.

Carried away by anxiety and nervousness we are too prone to
forget that we and our rivals as well are daughters of the same
Alma Mater, and as such, deserve the same respect. Those most
opposed to fraternities argue that they destroy college spirit and
unity. Would we, for a moment admit it ? Perish the thought!
And yet it lies with us to prove it false. What more conclusive
proof than a fine spirit of noblesse oblige toward those not of our
faith. Such a spirit every fraternity girl should feel bound in
honor and loyalty to foster the real ethics of rushing.

R U T H C. FARMER, Delta '02.