One may think that once entering into any sorority or fraternity that the friendships and bonds of brotherhood or sisterhood will be shared with all the organization's members. On the surface this line of thinking is quite correct; however, within both sororities and fraternities lies a closer, more structured, and in many ways a more binding hold on new, current, and alumni Greeks' impression of their organizations.

The Family Tree is such an impression. Family Trees are the surrogate “families” within sororities and fraternities. It is the result of the hierarchy of the fraternity and sorority Big/Little system. The Big/Little system provides that fraternity and sorority members take pledges as their Little Brothers or Little Sisters. This symbolizes their commitment to ensure the continuation of their sororities' traditions and existence. However, what it has also done is ensured the existence of Family Trees' version of the organization.

Of course founders and early members did not know that by taking on Littles these group would spread out and grow in such a way to form “families.” One often hears comments like “Oh, he is my grand big (the big brother of one's big brother) or she is my twin (individuals in the same pledge class who share the same Big Brother or Big Sister) and she is my sibling (individuals not in the same pledge class who share the same Big).

In many cases these families carve out identities of their own. For example, they didn't always used to but all families have names now. Names like “Pretty Family”, “Dynasty”, “Wild Irish Rose Family”, “La Familia”, and just about anything imaginable. Families create their own family mottoes, design t-shirts, hand down traditional gifts to their pledges, and meet up on their own. This builds and even closer sense of relationship within large Greek organizations and pledge classes that may have over a hundred members.

Seems like a Family Tree would be enough of a segmentation within a sorority or fraternity right? Wrong. Most Family Trees have “Branches” that are even closer knit kinship groups within a Family Tree. Branches are the direct result of the separate lineages formed by early members who took more than one Little. If one's great-great-great-grand Big took three Littles then odds are that years ago these Littles decided to form their own identity within a Family Tree. Branches within a Family Tree respect the common Big Sister of Big Brother that they can trace their lineage through; however, in order to maintain closer camaraderie and smaller numbers they decide not to separate from their tree but to carve out an even more defined identity.

Though Family Tree names can come from the names of their founders, or a common idea or trait the families wish to posses, Branches are even more precise and character based. Branch names are usually longer than Trees names. For example, “Sexy Sarcastic Sicilian Beautiful Baked Brunette Bitches Branch of the Bunny Shot Family”, “The I Do What I Want Branch of the Dynasty Tree”, “The Brunette Bombshell Branch” and so on.

However, comical they may sound these Branches begin to mold their members and in so doing mold the Sorority or Fraternity. In real life red-headed parents are likely to produce red-headed children. In similar fashion Trees and even more so Branches produce offspring in the form of taking Littles which have similar characteristics. For example, The Brunette Bombshell Branch will only take pretty brunettes as their Littles in the hopes that they will continue to attract other pretty brunettes when the sorority has its next rush. The goal being that if alumni return years later the sorority or fraternity remains the same—sororities and fraternities do not like change.

Sounds like Branches and Trees are all in good fun, right? Well for the most part they are good fun. The fact is that while being just “good fun” these groups may help to turn its member into little prejudiced snobs. One might not vote in favor of a potential new member because their Big Brother or Big Sister doesn't like them. One might vote in favor of a potential new member, no matter how unqualified, just because they are an attractive red head and their Family or Branch's explicit rule is only red heads may join.

Yet, in the already elitist Greek organizational structure it is interesting to point out that the rules and guidelines written out by the national body may not be in control of the identities of the sororities and fraternities seen on campus life. The “Pretty Girl” sorority or the “Jock Fraternity” may be directly related to the early establishment of organizations' Family Trees and each Branches commitment to placing the bar of membership higher and higher every year.

Associated Articles
cheap text books

Powered by www.how2tech.co.za and My Sales Team

For the first time student off to college this fall, having a list of college dorm essentials while packing will make the adjustment to the new room easier. Dorm must haves are some times forgotten when packing and have to be purchased at more expensive stores around campus. To build a personal dorm must haves list, the college student should think through a typical school day and consider items they use from the time they get up, until they crash at night. Having college dorm essential items on hand on day one can be the difference in a happy first day away or a stressful one.

Here are a few things to consider adding to the dorm must haves list:

College Dorm Essentials for the Bathroom
Transitioning away from mom's supply cabinet means the college student must have their own bathroom and medicine cabinet supplies. When packing the shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste don't forget the small items like dental floss and razors. Two other dorm must haves are a first aid kit and a thermometer.

College Dorm Essentials for the Bedroom
College dorms are typically not very spacious so organization will be critical. Among dorm must haves should be storage containers which will fit underneath the bed, clothes hangers, a small trashcan, and the student's favorite pillow so sleeping in a strange bed is less restless. Other dorm essentials for the bedroom may include a wall calendar, a small white board for messages, and a dorm sized fridge if not provided by the school.

College Dorm Essentials for the Desk and Study Area
Students today consider computers on the must have list and many colleges provide specific requirements which must be met. Adding to the computer, students should consider dorm must haves like extra ink cartridges, a ream of paper for the printer, back up software. If the computer has not yet been purchased, consider purchasing from a store which provides tech support in the college area. Other items for the desk area on the must have list include office supplies, extra pens and pencils, a desk lamp, and flash drives for use in transferring data to other computers.

College Essentials for the Automobile
If the college student will have a vehicle on campus and driving home occasionally, a college essentials list should be made for the vehicle also. Standard items such as jumper cables, spare tire, tool iron and jack should already be a part of the vehicle gear. Before packing in all other dorm must haves, these items should be removed and checked to insure they are in good condition. Also on the college essential list for the automobile is a map, a flashlight, a charger for the cell phone, the insurance card, and an emergency contact card. Now is a good time for a quick reminder of the basic maintenance the college student should do to keep the vehicle in good operating condition.

Moving away to college for the first time can be a stressful situation for both student and parent. Making the dorm must have list ahead of time helps to be sure all the college essentials are on hand before the big move day arrives.

Associated Articles
college books

College is much like Pandora you never know what is going to happen or who you will meet. So my goal for the new year is to keep up with my College life and really prosper in 2010. Thanks for reading this who ever you are.

Related Articles

cheap text books

it would be more appropriate for the Elon University poll to have queried the population as to what its feelings/beliefs are about THIS reform package as opposed to some generic concept of health care reform: of course, all thinking, sentient politically aware individuals have long concluded this system is 'broken'. It is not fair, therefore, to conclude that all dissatisfaction with present health care should justifiably be construed as being met by this monstrous, obscenely expensive and (ultimately) coercive measure forced on us by 'Big Brother' Obama and 'Big Sister' Pelosi. To come to that conclusion, as this poll seems to suggest merit in doing, is specious logic and is the kind of unwarranted 'cheerleading' that the MSM has unapologetically engaged in ever since Obama has happened on the scene. We must fight this and continue to fight this until it is definitively 'rolled back'. But to do this, the Republicans must insist on constantly airing the several proferred 'private sphere' health care alternatives that address continuing public concerns without banrupting our childrens' future.

To me, North Carolina-Duke will forever remain the greatest sports rivalry on earth—amateur and professional sports included—no if’s, and’s, or but’s attached.

Now, I know and understand one could arguably make a legitimate case for a handful of rivalries across the sports spectrum: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics, Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines.

However, there is something about the two teams clad in different shades of blue that puts this clash above the rest.

The two programs have competed against one another for 90 years, since Jan. 24, 1920. North Carolina leads the all-time series 130-98, but Duke surely has its fair share of significant wins. The Blue Devils dominated the first half of the 2000s until the Tar Heels came back in the latter.

The tug-and-pull of their history just goes to show a decade contains enough tempestuous, memorable moments to appear like an epic.

Two schools—one public, the other private—separated by an eight-mile road with entirely different locales on each side. Duke’s smaller, enclosed, mainly Gothic-style campus evokes Old Europe as opposed to North Carolina’s larger, open, traditionally simpler Southern architecture.

The two schools portray distinctly different images, and the contrasting descriptions offer a dueling narrative—locals vs. outsiders, populists vs. elitists.

As the nation’s first public university, North Carolina presents itself school of the people, especially those of the state, as expressed by famous alumnus Charles Kuralt. Duke carries itself in the mold of the Ivy Leagues, which has led some, especially fans of North Carolina, to equate the school with elitism.

Duke will not hesitate to argue that the Blue Devils have been the more successful program since the arrival of their beloved Coach K. They boast of more wins, more ACC regular-season and tournament titles, more final No. 1 rankings, more consensus first-team All-Americans and NBA lottery picks. Plus, the Blue Devils can say that their team has won more games, 291, than any other in a 10-year span.

Duke revels in the fact they play in Cameron Indoor, where the students enjoy the prime seats. They belittle North Carolina’s mascot—is it a foot or a ram? Even the school’s colors are the object of scorn, described as too childish or feminine. By the way, we can read, they say.

Not to be outdone, North Carolina has some choice words for the “University of New Jersey,” Dook’s preferred name in Tar Heel circles. UNC states that their recruits join a program with a legitimate shot at an NBA career while at Duke, players seem to enjoy sporting a suit and joining their coach on the bench. We have two national titles in five years, three Final Four appearances, and four straight wins at your high school gymnasium despite the unoriginal antics of the Cameron Crazies, who are a bunch of insufferable snobs, full of faux mojo and deranged from having suffered too much time in their tent city, also known as K-ville.

On the other hand, Tar Heels profess having class and a dose of proper Southern chivalry. Oh, and Carolina girls are, well, best in the world (and hot, period).

Both schools delight in not only defeating the other but when their archrival loses to a third party. The unofficial philosophy is to be your school’s best fan then the fan of whoever is playing Duke or North Carolina.

Clearly, North Carolina vs. Duke encompasses so much more than simply sports. North Carolina-Duke is an eternal feud that requires choosing a team in life for life. It is ultimately a way of life, forever mired in blue blood and hate that constantly yields happiness.

my site

BUFFALO, N.Y. — West Virginia overcame a miserable shooting start to avoid another Big East flameout in the NCAA tournament.

Kevin Jones scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half to spark the second-seeded Mountaineers to a 77-50 win over No. 15 seed Morgan State in Friday's first round. Despite the margin of victory, it wasn't an easy start for the Big East champs after West Virginia missed its first 11 shots and trailed 10-0 before the game was 5 minutes old.

With leading scorer Da'Sean Butler handcuffed by a double-teaming Bears defense, Jones proved to be the difference. The sophomore forward went 4-for-4 for 9 points during a decisive 21-4 run over a 6-minute stretch in the first half. Devin Ebanks scored 16 and added 13 rebounds for the Mountaineers (28-6).

Reggie Holmes scored 12 points for Morgan State (27-10), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ, which followed up its first tournament appearance last year with another bid this season. Kevin Thompson had eight rebounds and three blocks to go with nine points for the Bears.

The Mountaineers advanced to the second round of the East Regional on Sunday. They'll play the winner of the game between No. 7 seed Clemson and No. 10 Missouri, who meet later Friday.

Despite the early scare, it proved to be a far better start to the day for the Big East, after the conference's teams struggled Thursday. Georgetown, Marquette and Notre Dame were all upset, while No. 2 seed Villanova survived a major challenge, needing overtime to beat Robert Morris 73-70.

Morgan State appeared ready to follow the trend with its swarming defense aimed at shutting down Butler, who finished with nine points. The senior guard entered the tournament leading the Mountaineers in scoring (17.4 points), and his running jumper with 4 seconds left sealed a 60-58 win over Georgetown in the Big East title game Saturday.

With Butler missing his first four attempts, Morgan State got off to a 10-0 lead after Holmes hit Thompson for an open layup with 15:36 left.

West Virginia trailed 12-3 before scoring its first field goal with 12:15 left, when Devin Ebanks hit a hook shot from the paint. The basket sparked the Mountaineers back into the game, as they hit eight of their next 11 attempts and took the lead with 5:42 remaining in the half.

West Virginia & Missouri meet for a spot in the Sweet 16 on Sunday at 2:40 PM Eastern (11:40 AM Pacific). The Mountaineers, a 2-seed, are favored by six points over 10-seed Missouri. Click HERE to watch live.

Don't miss:

- Check out the NCAA Tournament bracket
- See who President Obama chose
- Who will survive the Midwest region?
- Which team will represent the East?
- What school will win the West?
- Who will survive the South?

Get HuffPost Sports On
Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz!

Know something we don't? E-mail us at sports@huffingtonpost.com

my site