Kathleen Smith, freshman in Media, a second-generation sorority member at the University, said she decided to keep it in the family as she joined Delta Delta Delta this year. Her mother was also a member of Delta Delta Delta here on campus, which makes Smith a legacy.

The definition of legacy changes with each chapter, but for most, a legacy is a girl whose mother, sister, grandmother or step-mother is a member of the sorority.

Some chapters consider a girl a legacy if her aunt or cousin is a member. For some girls, being a legacy gives additional meaning to joining a chapter.

“I wanted to join a sorority because my mom always talked about it when she was here,” Smith said. “She never pushed me to become a member of her sorority, but I felt most comfortable there.”

Margaret Mary Stephany, sophomore in DGS, is also a legacy in Delta Delta Delta, as her mom was a member as well. Being a member of the Greek system runs in her family too — she has many family members who joined sororities, although not all at U of I.

“Although my mom was in a sorority here, it was my choice to rush,” Stephany said. “I didn’t ever consider not rushing; it was a part of me going here.”

Coincidentally, both Smith’s mom and Stephany’s mom were at school at the same time and lived in the house together, Smith said.

“It’s fun that both of our moms know each other and were in the house together because it’s like a deeper connection of legacy within the house,” Stephany said.

Rachel Musnicki, sophomore in Media, is a legacy at Chi Omega, and her mother lived in the same sorority house when she attended the University.

“It’s so fun to have something like this to share with my mom,” Musnicki said, “When she comes to the house, she can point out what room she stayed in and what has changed since she has been here.”

Stephany said that her mom has told her about the traditions they used to have in the house, and she was surprised to find out that some of the traditions are still going on.

“I have even suggested bringing some of the traditions back that the chapter doesn’t do anymore,” Stephany said.

Musnicki says that the fact that her mom was in the house was not a main factor in her decision of which house to join.

“If anything, I would have wanted to try something new, just to do something for myself, but I liked Chi O going into it,” Musnicki said. “My mom didn’t pressure me to join the house, but I’m glad I did because now it’s something we can share together.”

Both Musnicki’s mom and Stephany’s mom were so excited when they heard that their daughters were in their houses, Musnicki and Stephany said.

“My mom may or may not have been tearing up when I told her I joined Chi O,” Musnicki said. “I could hear it in her voice over the phone. She was so excited.”

Although it is nice that Musnicki can share and relate to this experience with her mom, she says that she is still able to find her own way.

“I feel like this is still my own experience, and it’s my house, even though my mom lived in it,” Musnicki said.

One of the misconceptions about being a legacy is that it is less common that not being one, Stephany said.

“People think legacy means you automatically join house, but it’s a factor in the process, but not the deciding factor,” Stephany said.

Musnicki agrees with this as well.

“Being a legacy is awesome, although it’s not that big of a deal, and there is no special treatment,” Musnicki said. “It’s just nice to share something like this with my mom.