1916 February - To Dragma

180 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

BOSTON ALUMN/E

We began our fiscal year with an exceptionally well attended meet-
ing at Mabel Taylor Bodge's home in Arlington Heights, October
30th. We usually have a meeting in September but this year we sacri-
ficed it, as it conflicted with an important business meeting of the Tufts
Alumna; Association. I t seemed a long time to wait until the last
of October to get together once again, but everyone was just so much
the more appreciative of the opportunity when it did arrive.

To our great delight there were a number of 1915 girls present.
I t is our earnest effort to make membership in the alumnae chapter
something to be anticipated by the active girls, and when a goodly
number respond, it is most gratifying and encouraging.

We were all so impatient to hear the details of convention and
Marion Rich and Charlotte Lowell, who were our delegates, gave
a most complete description of the occasion from beginning to end.
What one did not think of, I am sure the other did. I t made the
rest of us feel very keenly what we had missed, but more than
delighted that it was such a great success. I think the entertaining
chapters should be heartily congratulated on the royal treatment
accorded their guests. I t will be a time never to be forgotten by those
privileged to attend.

Our November and December meetings were held in town for a
change, in the form of a supper at the Franklin Square House.
Emma Clough was in charge each time. The Franklin Square House
is literally a "Home-Hotel" for working girls and students with
moderate incomes. I t was very interesting to meet there, for al-
though it is quite a renowned institution, many of us had never been
there before. We were most cordially welcomed by the officials of
the House, and everything possible done to promote our comfort and
assure our satisfaction. Both meetings were enjoyed very much.

At our November meeting Lennie Copeland, Alice Whitten and
Antoinette Webb from Gamma visited us and it was such a pleasure
to see them. We only wish we had more calls from our sister chap-
ters. I f any of you are ever in Boston, do let us know.

We had a very nice joint meeting with the active chapter Decem-
ber 18th at Mildred Simpson's home in Winthrop. It was the first
opportunity for many of us to meet the new Freshmen and the eight
splendid girls we met were unequivocal evidence that Alpha Omicron
Pi was maintaining its same high standard at Jackson.

A happy New Year to each and every Alpha O, and may 1916
be a year of increased prosperity for our fraternity.

GENEVIEVE L. FOSDICK.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 181

LINCOLN ALUMN/E

The first meeting of the Lincoln alumna; this fall was held at the
home of Mrs. Frederick Beaumont. There was a good attendance
and a most enjoyable afternoon, many telling of their trips and
vacations during the summer. I t was decided that (as the chapter
only meets monthly, including a few luncheons at the hotel), there
should be two hostesses for each meeting during the winter.

The October meeting was with Edith Hall and Anabel Good, at
the home of the former. Edith entertained us by showing kodak
pictures taken while at the convention in California, and on her
western trip. Everyone enjoyed seeing these and hearing Edith's
interesting and enthusiastic descriptions.

There were so many Zeta girls, who are teaching throughout the
state, in Omaha the first week in November to attend the State-
Teachers' Association, that the Omaha alumnae girls took advantage
of the opportunity and planned a luncheon at the Loyal Hotel, Fri-
day, November 6th. In all there were twenty-four girls present, and
a particularly enjoyable time was spent by each. Grace Gannon
gave an enthusiastic report of the California Convention, and Viola
Gray spoke of matters of interest to both active and alumna; chap-
ters. Fraternity songs were then indulged in, and a good old-
fashioned visit. Those present were: Mattie Woodworth Higgins,
Lorene Emery Davis, Edna Spears, Estelle Stevens Harrison, Solome
Schwertly Bratton, Laura Peters, Esther Devalon Smith, Bess Mitch-
ell and Olive Brain, all of Omaha, Viola Gray, Gizella Birkner,
Alma Birkner Rawlins, Grace Gannon, Kate Folmer, Emma Shrie-
ber Hunter, Jane Louise Piper and Elsie Ford Piper of Lincoln,
Nell Ryan of Columhus, Helen Hayes of Missouri Valley, Mabel
Saunders of Superior, Winifred Waters of Lyons, and Melvina
Waters of Norfolk.

On November 27th the alumnae chapter met with Annie Jonas and
Jane Piper at the home of the former. As many of the out-of-town
girls were home for the Thanksgiving vacation there was a large
attendance. I t was decided that the December meeting should he a
luncheon at the Lindell Hotel, Friday, December 31st, and that all
members of the active chapter who were in town should be invited
to meet with us. The girls were delighted to see Marion Camp
Shotwell of Prescott, Arizona, who was visiting her parents in
Lincoln at that time. Other out-of-town girls present were: Grace
Gannon, Gizella Birkner, Edna Spears, and Elsie Ford Piper.

We wish to send our greetings and wishes for the best of New
Years to all our sister chapters.

E L S I E FORD PIPER,

Secretary of Lincoln Alumna.

182 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MICRON PI

LOS ANGELES ALUMNiE

Dear Alpha 0 Sisters:
Now that 1915 has gone, we are entering upon the New Year with

greater hopes and aspirations than ever. Our girls have been so very
scattered that only a few have been able to come to our fall meetings.
Now we are formulating a campaign to enlarge our list of active
members.

Our Christmas charity work was a great success, in spite of our
small membership. A l l kinds of clothing were collected for months,
besides money which each member contributed. We were able to
give Christmas cheer to twenty very poor families—practical, much-
needed cheer in the shape of sugar, coffee, flour, beans, and apples.
Next year we hope to do more.

Los Angeles alumna; sends best wishes to all her sister chapters for
the New Year.

MRS. J . H . LOCHRIDGE, Chapter Editor.

CHICAGO ALUMNiE

The Chicago Alumnae chapter held its first meeting of the year
at the home of Mrs. Elva Pettigrew in Harvey, 111., on September
28th. A t this meting we heard the report of convention by Avaline
Kindig with great interest and wished that we all might have been
in California this summer to meet those splendid girls of the East,
West and South. At this meeting we voted to increase our dues
by one dollar to cover subscription to To DRAGMA. Obligatory
subscription has been in force for some time in our chapter.

Our second meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Merva Hen-
nings, in Maywood, 111., on October 23d. At this meeting we dis-
cussed plans and programs for the remainder of the year. Chicago
Alumna; chapter has been considerably hampered by the fact that
its members live so far apart and are obliged to travel some distance
to meetings. I t hasn't been possible to secure a central meeting
place in Chicago because of the expense, as our chapter is small as
yet, and the homes of our members range from thirty-four miles
west of Chicago to twenty miles north of Chicago. I f all the
Alpha O girls around Chicago would heed our appeals and
affiliate with our chapter, we would be strengthened considerably.
A l l our present members are enthusiastic, loyal workers for A O I I .

Our third meeting was held at the home of Ruby Rapp in
Evanston, 111. To this meeting we brought boxes of children's
garments for the Chicago Stockyards Settlement, and spent the
afternoon hemming baby "necessaries" for the same settlement.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 183

The Rho girls and Chicago Alumna; spent a pleasant afternoon
recently with Julia Clemes at the home of Betty Hiestand, when
Julia and her husband passed through Chicago on their way to
India as missionaries under the Methodist Board. We all wrote
steamer letters for her to San Francisco. Our chapter feels Julia's
loss keenly, as she was one of its most enthusiastic members.

Our program for the rest of the year is as follows:
January 8—Founders' Day Luncheon at the Morrison Hotel,
Chicago.

February 19—Chapter Meeting, Mrs. Arthur Swanson, Evanston,
111.

March 18—Dinner to the husbands and friends of members,
Morrison Hotel, Chicago.

April 15—Election of Officers and Ritual, Rho Chapter Room,
Willard Hall, Evanston.

May 13—Party for Rho Active Chapter, Mrs. Harriet Moses,
Glencoe, 111.

June 24—Picnic, Mrs. Corris Peake, Barrington, 111.
Fraternally,

H A R R I E T R. MOSES, Chicago Alumna; Editor.

INDIANAPOLIS ALUMN.H

We have had two meetings since the last letter. Our November

meeting was with one of the brides, Rose Whitaker Kreutzinger.
Her house showed all the interesting things that the young bride has

in her new home. I n her lovely dining-room, she served delicious
refreshments of salad-wafers and coffee. Her salad was served in

orange shells—representing chrysanthemums and really looked too
good to eat. Ruth Ritchie came to this meeting wearing a new

diamond on her left hand, and we surprised her with a hope-box
shower.

Our December meeting was with Florence I . Hostetter A t this
meeting we planned to have a Chrisimas party in honor of Ruby

Peake (now a resident of Indianapolis and a member of Rho chap-
ter) and our alumna; members. We have been looking forward

to having Ruby as a future member of our alumna; chapter and were
so sorry to learn recently that her family is going to leave Indian-

apolis. In the next letter I hope to tell more about our alumna;
luncheon, for we are anticipating a fine time.

The Indianapolis alumna; wishes all of our active and alumna;
chapters a happy and prosperous New Year.

F L O R E N C E I . HOSTETTER, Indianapolis Editor.

184 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

NEWS OF T H E COLLEGE A N D GREEK-
LETTER WORLD

COLLEGIATE

The following notice came to us from the University of Chicago
News Letter. I t is worthy of attention, for perhaps no other American
university has witnessed within its own halls a similar growth.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the University of Chicago, it has just been
announced by the University Board of Trustees, will be celebrated in the year
1916, and plans are already being considered for the appropriate recognition of
so important an event in the educational history of Chicago and the country.

The charter of the University of Chicago was signed on June 18, 1890, and
the University was incorporated on September 10 of the same year.

William Rainey Harper, Professor of Semitics in Yale University, was called
to the presidency of the new institution in September, 1890, and entered on the
duties of his office July 1, 1891. The University of Chicago opened its doors
to students on October 1, 1892. It then had a faculty of about one hundred,
which at present numbers about four hundred. During the first year 742 "s t u
dents were enrolled, and during the last year (1914-15) 7,781 different students
were enrolled.

The grounds belonging to the University in 1892 comprised about twenty-
five acres; the University now owns, including the grounds of Yerkes Observa-
tory at Williams Bay, Wisconsin, about one hundred and sixty-five acres
reserved for educational purposes. The four buildings in use at the opening of
the University have increased to forty; the total of gifts from $925,813.08,
paid in at the opening, to $37,556,243.48 on June 30, 1915.

More than 7,000 degrees have been conferred by the University, and over
50,000 students have matriculated during its history.

The five tests of education which were recently proposed by Dr.
Nicholas Murray Butler and which have been the subject of much
comment and discussion are as follows:

1. Correctness and precision in the use of the mother tongue.
2. Those refined and gentle manners which are the expression
of fixed habits of thought and of action.
3. The power and habit of reflection.
4. The power of intellectual growth.
5. Efficiency, the power to do.

In the consideration of Dr. Butler's first test, the following an-
nouncement in a recent issue of the Boston Transcript is of interest.
Would that all American colleges and universities might follow in
the foot-steps of the oldest!

Harvard has advanced one step further in its campaign to make college men
write better English. By the arrangement announced today, the university will
require all students who continue to show deficiencies in the use of their mother

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 185

tongue to take a special course in English grammar without any credit. It is
safe to assert that the danger of being compelled to take this extra course will
accomplish as much good as the course itself. After all, the writing of reput-
able English is chiefly dependent on clear thinking, and everyone knows that
a man can think more clearly when he is given some reason to fear that, if he
doesn't think clearly, things will go wrong with him. The best way to reduce
carelessness is to penalize it. Harvard's frank willingness to include in its
curriculum an elementary course, which should be fully completed in prepara-
tory school, deserves to be emulated by all of our colleges.

We are indebted to Ban fa's Greek Exchange for the following
interesting notice:

The Belgian refugees in Holland have formed the University of Amersfoort.
They realized that the large body of Belgians with nothing to do would be
happier and better off if they had something to keep them busy.

The faculty includes some of the most distinguished Belgian scientists and
scholars.

It is unique among educational institutions in that its professors establish
their own "chairs," choose their own subjects and treat them as they wish.
They are bound by no official rules and harassed by no traditions.

The student enjoys similar freedom. He undergoes no admission examina-
tions, chooses his own courses of study and completes them whenever he thinks
he has had enough.

The notice which is given below, and which appeared in the
New York Times of last October, needs neither introduction nor
comment. However, those of us whose sisters have suffered because
of the action of two years ago, cannot resist, to ourselves at least,
an " I told you so!"

SORORITIES AT BARNARD MISSED BY D E A N

After taking a prominent part in the suspension of sororities at Barnard
College two years ago, Dean Virginia C . Gildersleeve is now willing to acknowl-
edge that the secret societies filled a place in the college life of the girls for
which it is now very difficult to find a substitute.

Fewer opportunities for the girls to form wholesome and intimate friendships
are found now that the sororities are gone, Miss Gildersleeve finds, and she is
casting about for some form of social organization which will do away with
the objectionable features of the secret society and yet retain its many good
Points.

This problem is set forth by Miss Gildersleeve in her annual report of the
work at Barnard, which has just been made public. Two years ago sororities
were suspended, after a crusade led by Miss Frieda Kirchwey, daughter of
Professor George W. Kirchwey of the Columbian Law School, who has recently
announced his intention of retiring from that Faculty. The secret societies
were not abolished, but they were forbidden to take in any new members for a
Period of three years. Two years are now up, and the students who are working
t o get sororities reinstated to full standing are finding solace in Miss Gilder-
sleeve's report. Many predict that sororities at Barnard will again come into
^eir own next year.

186 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0M1CR0N PI

Several interesting educational problems confronting the Faculty of a wom-
en's college are discussed by Dean Gildersleeve in her report. The report in
part follows:

"The second year of the experimental three-year period during which the
sorority chapters are not allowed to elect new members has passed without any
very definite development in our system of social organizations. Contrary to
the expectation of the Faculty, no new organizations have grown up to take
the place of the sororities; nor has there been any notable increase of interest
and activity in the departmental clubs and other existing organizations. The
omission of sorority elections has brought a welcome relief from the agitations
of 'rushing5 and 'pledge day' and from some undesirable forms of college
gossip.

"On the other hand, the lack of some such social organization makes close
acquaintance between students in the different classes far less frequent, and
results in fewer opportunities for informal social intercourse and the formation
of intimate and congenial friendships. An administrative office notices also
some lack of that beneficial influence of older students on younger ones and
that aid in the development of a sound public opinion in the college which the
sororities sometimes felt the responsibility of contributing."—A7. Y. Times,
October 31, 1915.

Through the Sigma Chi Quarterly we again quote from the 5 M -
ton Transcript:

The Boston Transcript has the following scholarship statement regarding s
the last school year at the University of Wisconsin:
t
Further striking proof that the women students at the University of Wis- P
consin have a higher scholastic rank than the men has now been found. The
weighted average for all the members of twelve sororities during the last
semester was 85.1, while the weighted average for twenty-three social fraterni-
ties was 80.3. The sorority averages were based on 312 active members.
The social fraternity figures were based on 499 active members. The weighted
average of 244 pledges of fraternities was 78.6. Here again the women
showed superiority, for the average of 128 pledges of eleven sororities was 82.8.
The first proof of superior scholastic work among women was disclosed when
twenty-three women were elected to Phi Beta Kappa last month, out of a total
of thirty-eight elections.

The highest average of any of the social fraternities was 83.3, and the

highest average of a sorority was 87.1. The lowest sorority average, 83.8,
was higher than the best fraternity average. The lowest average of a frater-

nity was 77.2.

With a scholastic average of 82.1 per cent, the 917 active fraternity and
sorority members (this includes 106 undergraduates in professional fraternities)

was .6 per cent higher than 3,185 nonfraternity students, whose average wa
81.5.

The four professional fraternities ranked as follows: Alpha Chi Sign1

(chemistry), Triangles (engineering), Phi Delta Phi and Phi Alpha L>ej*3

(both law). The first ten social fraternities were: Red Triangles (loca ft

Sigma Phi, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Gaium*

Delta, Beta Theta Pi, Alpha Tau Omega, Chi Psi, and Acacia. .J

The four high sororities were: Kappa Alpha Theta, Alpha Xi D E '
Alpha Gamma Delta, and Alpha Phi.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 187

INTERESTING FRATERNITY NOTES

At the 67th Ekklesia of Phi Gamma Delta the Cheney Efficiency
Cup was awarded to Chi Iota chapter at the University of Illinois,
which will hold the cup for 1915-16. The purpose of this cup
and the standards and conditions governing its awarding are best
understood by quoting from the Phi Gamma Delta.

The Cheney Efficiency Cup was presented to the Fraternity of Phi Gamma
Delta by Brother O. H . Cheney, president of the fraternity, for the purpose
of stimulating the chapters to better their efficiency. The cup is awarded each
summer to the chapter which has shown the highest grade of efficiency during
the preceding college year. The successive holders of the prize have their
names and dates of possession inscribed upon the cup.

In grading the chapters for efficiency, scholarship is counted 50 per cent,
relations of the chapter to the college 25 per cent, and relations of the chapter
to the fraternity 25 per cent.

Lincoln Colcord, whose poem Vision of War has been recently
so widely discussed, is a Kappa Sigma, being a member of Psi chap-
ter at the University of Maine. Mr. Colcord and his work are of
interest to Alpha O's, and especially to those of Gamma chapter,
for his sister "Nan" is a graduate of the University of Maine in
the class of 1906, and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi.

The Pi Beta Phi Settlement School opened its f i f t h session on
August 3, 1915, and has been having an average attendance of 95
pupils. Caroline McKnight Hughes, Minnesota A, '96, is the new
head resident, with Mary O. Pollard, Vermont A, '96, principal of
school, Marie Ditmars, Indiana A, '13, and Bernice Good, Indiana

assistants. Manual training with a moderate equipment has been
uistalled, and one loom for weaving cloth and old-fashioned cover-
lids is kept in constant use. The Springfield, Mo., alumna} club is
trying to raise the money necessary to buy three more looms for the
work. The small cottage has been remodeled this fall and two
sleeping rooms added, a new chimney takes the place of the old one,
the piazzas widened and three coats of fresh paint puts the finishing
ouch to the last of our school buildings to be put in first-class order,

nis building will now be ready to be used as a hospital as soon as
the much needed teachers' residence can be built.

1 he new Board of Managers is composed of the seven province
'^"presidents, with Mrs. Helmick as chairman, and work has started
l s autumn with more enthusiasm than ever before, and the year
Promises to be the most profitable to both Gatlinburg and Pi Beta
*™ alumna? clubs.—Arrow of Pi Beta Phi.

188 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

We are indebted to the Greek Exchange for the notes following:

The father of President Wilson, Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, a very prominent
clergyman of the Southern Presbyterian Church, was a B G I I , of the class of
'44, Jefferson College. President Wilson himself is a • K 4'.

K 2 has the honor of claiming Secretary McAdoo as a member.
Miss Ethel Tukey, who has for some years held the editorship of The
Anchora of A T, has given up the office and is succeeded by Miss Emma
Hawley, of Minneapolis.

FRATERNITY EXPANSION

Since November we have received formal notices of the establish-
ment of

Pi Beta Phi on October 29 at the Oregon State University.
Pi Beta Phi on November 13 at Nevada State University.
Kappa Alpha Theta on December 4 at the University of Pitts-
burgh.
Delta Zeta in January at the Universities of Pittsburgh and Cincin-
nati.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 189

EXCHANGES

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following ex-
changes, which have been received since October 25:

July—Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha.
September—The Sigma Chi Quarterly, The Purple, Green and
Gold of Lambda Chi Alpha, Banta's Greek Exchange, and The
Sigma Kappa Triangle.
October— The Beta Theta Pi, The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi, and
The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta.
November—The Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Phi Gamma
Delta, The Aglaia of Phi Mu, The Rainboiv of Delta Tau Delta,
The Tomahawk of Alpha Sigma Phi, The Beta Theta Pi, The Garnet
and White of Alpha Chi Rho, The Caduccus of Kappa Sigma, The
Angelos of Kappa Delta, Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, The Sigma
Chi Quarterly, and The Scroll of Phi Delta Theta.
December—The Phi Chi Quarterly, The Key of Kappa Kappa
Gamma, The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi, The Phi Gamma Delta, The
Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, The Record of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The
Cross Keys of Kappa Kappa Kappa, The Alpha Chi Delta, The
Adelphean of Alpha Delta Pi, and The Shield and Diamond of Pi
Kappa Alpha.

January—The Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Quill of Sigma
Delta Chi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and The Aglaia of Phi Mu.

From The Caduceus of Kappa Sigma we gratefully reprint this
report of the Interfraternity Conference, which was held at Thanks-
giving time in New York.

The seventh session of the Interfraternity Conference was attended by 124
accredited representatives and 16 visitors, making a total attendance of 140,
representing 38 national fraternities. Thirty-five of these fraternities are
members of the Conference, and three others were privileged to attend this
session as spectators.

This is the largest Conference ever held. I t is worthy 0/ note that practi-
cally every national men's fraternity is now represented and cooperating
through the Conference for the best interests of Greek-letter men.

% amendment to the constitution the annual dues for each fraternity
Participating in the Conference have been raised from fifteen dollars to twenty-
five dollars per year. An additional by-law was adopted providing for a regular
order of business for the guidance of the Conference. Special subjects were
Proposed for presentation next year, through committee investigations and
Sports.

The following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That we request all fraternity chapters, whether belonging to

sn , Conference or not, to desist from the practice of voting for their several
Members in contests for college offices out of a sentiment of fraternity loyalty,

190 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OM1CRON PI

and urge that in each case a candidate be voted for solely with references to his
fitness for the position sought, and especially do we urge that no combinations
be formed among fraternity chapters at any college to secure by their combined
votes the election of a group of candidates to office.

"Resolved, That we recommend that the several members of this Conference
communicate with their respective chapters located at colleges where no local
interfraternity conferences now exist, and urge them to assist in the organiza-
tion of such conferences, and direct that the committee furnish to each member
of this Conference a list of such colleges.

"Resolved, That we recommend to the several local interfraternity con-
ferences located at colleges where any chapter of a fraternity or any local fra-
ternity is not a member, that they be urged to join such conference without
delay, and that if for any reason they can not so join that they be kept in-
formed of the doings of the conference, and urged to cooperate with it infor-
mally.

"Resolved, That for the sake of uniformity and clearness we request each
local interfraternity organization to adopt the name, 'Interfraternity Con-
ference,' and especially to avoid the use of the expression Panhellenic in its
nomenclature.

"Resolved, That we recommend to each local conference and at places where
no conferences exist to the several fraternities having chapters at such places,
that they carefully consider the effect of whatever restrictions are in force with
respect to pledging and initiations, and if they require modification in any
respect, to confer with the college authorities for the purpose of securing the
same, and in cases of manifest injustice report the facts to the Executive Com-
mittee of the Conference in order that pressure may be exerted through a more
enlightened public opinion to improve the situation.

"Resolved, That we recommend to local conferences and to fraternity chapters
evreywhere that the pledging or initiation of persons not matriculated students
should cease as soon as possible."

The report of the Committee on standard forms of report upon scholarship
included several samples of the best forms now in use, and the report was
referred to the Executive Committee of the Conference for such publicity or
other action as may be deemed advisable.

The Executive Committee recommended the holding of Panhellenic dinners
throughout several of our larger cities, such dinners to be given on the same
evening and addressed by officers and delegates of the Interfraternity Con-
ference in order that fraternity men in different sections of the country shall
be advised as to the aims and purposes of the Conference.

It was also decided to hold a large dinner of fraternity men in New York
City on the evening of the Interfraternity Conference next year. The date
will be November 25, 1916, and it is expected that at least one thousand fra-
ternity men will attend that dinner.

We quote the following from a fine article on the question of
Secrecy in The Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Even those Alpha
O's, who are pioneers, perhaps, in their belief in the abolish-
ing to a great extent of the "secrets" of fraternity organizations,
w i l l read with interest these closing paragraphs of Miss wSpiHe1"3
article. They deserve and will claim, I am sure, our understanding
and sympathy.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI 191

A fraternity ought to hold in a small way toward the college life of a girl
the place that her religion holds toward her whole life. It should be her
refuge when college life is too burdensome, the place where she can come for
strength and encouragement, the source of inspiration, the fountain of high
ideals. We have often felt the strengthening power of an hour of quiet thought
when life becomes too boisterous; a fraternity meeting pledge service, or initi-
ation ought to leave us with much the same feeling. We are better fitted to
take up our work by having come close for a time to the big things of life.

Looking at it fiom this point of view it is easy to see why fraternities should
be secret. We do not go about showing our inmost soul to the world nor need
we wear the heart of our college life on our sleeve. It would lose much of its
sacredness if we did. Let us not have the—"I know something I won't tell,"
point of view, casting an unnecessary air of mystery over our fraternity; but
let us rather feel that it is a very real part of us, which has grown into us with
our college life and which is too vital to be shown carelessly to the world. I f
we really feel this there will be no danger of making our fraternity seem
ridiculous by acting in a foolish and artificial way.

H E L E N N . S P I L L E R , Beta Iota.

In one of the best of the men's fraternity magazines—The Shield
of Phi Kappa Psi; but cannot we college and fraternity women
take it to ourselves?

To adopt the French proverb, "noblesse oblige," what obligation does the
rank, the nobility, of the fraternity impose upon you? It seems to me that
your duty is double, to do three things: first, to make of yourself the best man
that you are capable of developing, that you may thereby raise the standard and
the standing of your fraternity; second, to realize in your fraternity chapter
those ideals of scholarship, of morals, and of culture, and in the chapter house
those graces and refinements of a true home, that will stand forth the exemplar
of not only the best in college but a better college; and last, and greatest of
all, to get under the college in its every activity and development, in its every
crisis, remembering that a boost for the college is a boost for yourself, and
that a slur upon the institution, either in its activities or its reputation, but
befouls your own escutcheon and lowers your own character.

The English essayist, A. C. Benson, terms personality the "greatest
mystery of being." The clippings which follow emphasize the power
and influence of that "mystery" i n the closeness of fraternity life.

Almost every young person entering upon a career, dreams of doing some-
thing big, something to make them famous. I f you stop dreaming and con-
nect yourself with real life and accept the small responsibilities right within
your reach the big things will come when you are ready for them. No matter
how far down the ladder you go for your start, do your part of the work the
v e r y best you know how, and they cannot keep you down. You will climb
'° ^e toj> as sure as the sun rises in the east, and as you climb your personality
keepg climbing with you, growing bigger, broader and stronger every rung.

If there is anything more I can add to the suggestions already given for
gaining a personality, I would say never lose an opportunity to be of service
0 humanity, never refuse to shoulder a responsibility; every act of this kind

us to the strength of your personality, and it is big personalities we need.

192 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

We need them in our enterprises, as every big undertaking is backed by a
superior personality, a supreme personality. It is the foundation that holds
the structure. You owe it to the world to develop your personality to the
utmost; there is something no one else but you can give the world. We need
you and your personality.— The Angelos of Kappa Delta.

From the development of a high moral character and scholastic standing,
we pass to the development of a capacity for true friendship. Is there any-
thing sweeter and dearer to us than our friendships formed in college? It
is those friendships that mean most to us and that we are most likely to carry
with us through life. Never is it more truly effected than by the initiation
ceremony, and then we become not only true friends but real brothers or
sisters, each working for the good of the other. We then begin to realize
.what true loyal friendship really is. Very soon it grows to be a part of us,
and as it does we feel the necessity of extending it to those outside, and we
begin to formulate a bond of real human sympathy and love for all mankind.—
From "Do Fraternities Pay?" in Alpha Chi Delia.

But, is there not a true popularity? I think you will agree that there is,
and that to be truly popular is a great honor to anyone so fortunate. The
truly popular girl is the one who is closely enshrined in the hearts of her
friends; the girl whom folks like to have around, because of her pleasing per-
sonality; the girl who is unselfish and altruistic in her motives and actions;
the girl who does not seek distinction for herself and her talents, but who
serves others; the girl who is highly respected, honored and loved by all who
know her.— From "Popularity" in Alpha Chi Delta.

This little paragraph, which we glean from the Phi Chi Quarterly,
and which has been copied already by many fraternity publications,
emphasizes and clarifies what the Editor has tried to say in the
editorial on Our National Standing. I t is worthy of larger print,
a frame, and a place on the wall of the chapter room.

"Is the Fraternity worth while? Is anything in life worth while? Only
as we ourselves make it so. The thing that we put into life is the thing
life becomes to us, and just as surely does our Fraternity become the concrete
expression of our loyalty to its precepts, our purposeful efforts in its behalf.
Our Fraternity is what we as individuals, as Chapters, as national and inter-
national organizations, choose to make it. It is worth while only in so far
as we are worth while. It is worth while to us as individuals in proportion
as we give of our time and service, of ourselves, toward the realization in our
own lives of its ideals."—Delta Sigma Delta Desmos.

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