Columnist Erin Franczak writes about the importance of big-little relationships in Greek life.
Going Greek is more than joining an organization — it’s about joining a family. Before initiation even begins, you are given your very own and very special big.
The process of receiving bigs is important for every Greek organization and varies between each chapter.
For most sororities, it begins with a get-together where anyone interested in becoming a mentor to a new member meets with the new members. Both the new members and potential bigs give their top three to five pairing choices, and then, bigs are chosen from there. After that begins the reveal, which consists of love, costumes, food and sometimes even a scavenger hunt.
For fraternities, the process varies, but some are based on GPA requirements and the compatibility between potential bigs and littles. There are other fraternities where matching bigs and littles is completely random — it just depends.
A big is already a member of the chapter and is willing to do anything for their littles. My big drove me all the way to Verizon when I destroyed my phone and couldn’t turn the alarms off. She even made me laugh when the workers told me I would have to pay more than $500.
Bigs love their littles more than anything, which is why if you ever talk to a sorority woman or fraternity man it will likely come up in conversation. I once had a friend who drove her little to the hospital and stayed with her until 2:30 a.m. when she was released. Bigs also love to give out presents and spend time with their littles. They are the one to advise on anything from what time a fundraising event starts to more personal issues.
But what’s a family without grandparents and siblings? A big can take as many littles as she wants. These siblings are referred to as twins. I have a twin who I absolutely adore, and she has been there for me at my worst and is one of my close friends. When the twins take littles, they are cousins. My twin has a little, and she is my niece. If a big has a little that takes a little, then he or she would be a grandbig and so forth.
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Bigs are also important because family outings and dinners keep members connected to their sorority or fraternity. Some families even come up with more creative ideas like ice skating or bowling.
Even if a family member leaves the chapter, they are still family. No matter what, families stick together. For me, that is the best part of the Greek experience. Everything about Greek life is great, but the fact that there is someone who is there for you who is a big sister or big brother in the scary world of college and life helps me to feel better at night.
Erin Franczak is a freshman studying journalism. What's your relationship with your big or little like? Email her at ef441614@ohio.edu.
