Although many Greeks are sad to see them go, little-sister programs will be removed from several University fraternities because of problems ranging from insurance liability to sexual harassment.

Little-sister programs detract from fraternities because they can lead to liability problems, said Interfraternity Council president Scott Stephan.

But it is unfortunate little-sister programs are being phased out because they help women become a part of fraternities, said Christen Noakes, a little sister at Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, 234 E. Beaver Ave.

"I love it because it's great to be a part of the house and hang out where friends are," Noakes said.

Because most fraternities do not have insurance coverage for the programs, they may face liability claims if a little sister is injured, Stephan said.

The programs may also be harmful to the women who participate in them, several people said.

Patty Johnstone, assistant director of sexual assault education in the Center for Women Students, said she worries that women who pledge to be little sisters may encounter sexual harassment.

IFC adviser Rick Funk and Donna Hughes, a lecturer in the Women Studies Program, said little-sister programs promote stereotypical views of women as subordinate.

The possibility for women to be considered the "entertainment for the evening" is greater at fraternities with little-sister programs, Hughes said.

Johnstone doubted that the "sweetheart" programs many fraternities are considering are any different than the little sister programs.

Many fraternities will probably create sweetheart programs if they are forced to stop accepting little sisters, said Neil Kleinman of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, 234 E. Beaver Ave.

Some national fraternity chapters, including Phi Kappa Sigma, have already ordered the end of little-sister programs, Kleinman said.

The little-sister programs have encountered other pitfalls, Funk said. Little sisters at other universities have sued for full fraternity membership; so far no little sisters have won full membership status, but many fraternities are removing their programs as a result, Funk said.

Many fraternities have lost track of the original purpose of little sister programs, which is to help the fraternity with rush, homecoming and other Greek events, Stephan said, whose fraternity Delta Chi, 424 E. Fairmount Ave, has a little-sister program.

Women can benefit from joining sororities instead of becoming fraternity little sisters or sweethearts, Johnstone and Funk agreed.

"If a woman is looking for a positive Greek experience, then they should join a sorority," Funk said.

Increasing the amount of interaction between fraternities and sororities will make little sister programs unnecessary, Johnstone said.

A sorority has more opportunities for leadership and can offer a woman a more fulfilling Greek experience than a little sister program, said Stephanie Redish, Panhellenic Council president.

Some sororities have rules preventing members from also being involved in a little sister program, Funk said.

Still, some fraternity members will be sorry to see the little sisters go.

"It's good to have girls hanging around the house," Kleinman said.