Mama's in the house?

By Elizabeth Pensler

Weekend etc., editor

The best part of going away to college is getting away from your parents. Once students move-in to their residence halls or apartments they can accomplish this task by not answering phone calls, emails, or door knocks. The closest thing to a mother on this campus is a sorority house mom. The Michigan Daily wanted to find out what it is really like to be a mom to more than 50 girls. The Daily interviewed Michelle Harney, house mom of Kappa Kappa Gamma, to find the scoop on sorority life.

The Michigan Daily: How did you decide to become a house mom?

Michelle Harney: I answered an advertisement.

TMD: What did you do before you were a house mom?

MH: I originally worked for restaurants and hotels.

TMD: How long have you been a house mom?

MH: I've been with Kappa Kappa Gamma since last January.

TMD: What's the best part of being a house mom?

MH: It's never boring.

TMD: What's the funniest thing you've seen?

MH: Last week there were naked boys doing push ups in the living room, on the grand piano.

TMD: What did you do about it?

MH: I told them to leave. They laughed and left within the next 3 minutes.

TMD: Do the girls ever ask for advice on stuff like homework or boys?

MH: I try to avoid doing homework because it's been too long since I was in school. They usually discuss boys with their peers.

TMD: What's the biggest complaint about living in the house?

MH: I miss having time off. I have to be here 24/7 and I only get off one weekend a month.

TMD: Where you surprised by Greek life?

MH: I didn't have any expectations.

TMD: Do you feel a lot of responsibility for the girls?

MH: At the beginning I feel like I have to be responsible for everything, but by the end I realize that the girls can take care of themselves.

TMD: Do you think you see everything bad that goes on?

MH: I probably see about half of everything bad they do.

TMD: On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad do you think your girls are?

MH: 7.5

TMD: Did the noise the girls made during rush (ie. screaming and pounding on the doors and windows) bother you?

MH: You can't ask an old person that question. If it annoyed you then it really bothered me.

TMD: Would you tell people to let their children rush?

MH: I would see no reason not to. Sororities and fraternities are not for everyone, but it's a good experience.

TMD: Are you going to be sad when the seniors graduate?

MH: I haven't been there yet, but I am sure I am definitely going to get upset in April.

Unlike sororities, fraternities don't have a house mom. The Daily investigated thier idea of a perfect house mom.

Alpha Sigma Phi

June Cleaver

-Jeff Haxer, senior

Florence Henderson

-Mike Tindle, senior

Delta Sigma Phi

Wendy Whoppers

-Michael Orell,

sophomore

Hillary Clinton

-Michael Kagan,

sophomore

Tau Kappa Epsilon

Jenna Jamesson

-Matt Cohen, sophomore

Maggie Seaver

-Jeff Iden, sophomore

Beta Theta Pi

Gena Lee Nolen

-Scott Mascianica, junior

Chi Phi

Alyssa Milano

-Matt Carpenter, junior

Question & Answer Interview etc.