For over 200 University women, winter break was cut short by one week to attend this year’s sorority recruitment. After a steady increase in participants over the past several years, this year saw a marked decline in numbers. According to the Greek Life Office (GLO) there are 261 women who rushed this year, with 236 new members receiving bids as compared to 339 women who rushed last year.
“Apparently sorority rush numbers are down nationally, which is why we weren’t so worried about it,” said senior Julie Davis, the Women’s Panhellenic Association (Panhel) vice president of recruitment. “Also, in past years, a lot of women sign up, but then never show up for rush. We didn’t have that problem at all [this year], which was great.”
Recruitment Advisor Jessica Gendron could not explain the decrease in national numbers, but did attribute the University’s decrease in registration to more clearly defined expectations of members during pre-rush information sessions.
“Sororities did a better job this year than in previous years of explaining the commitment level and expectations of members,” said Gendron.
The number of women who self-withdrew from the rush process remained the same as in previous years, said Gendron. The GLO would not release the statistics on the number of rushees who did not receive a bid from any sorority.
Each sorority hosts a series of parties during the recruitment process in order to meet potential new members (PNMs). All potential rushees are assigned to groups led by two Rho Chis, sorority members that have temporarily disaffiliated from their chapters to serve as liaisons during the rush process.
Another change this year involved Unity Day, the day when new members receive their bids. Panhel wanted to place a greater emphasis on solidarity by giving active sorority women and new members identical pink shirts to wear during the ceremony at Graham Chapel.
“Unity day was a positive experience this year,” said junior Lisa Bridge, president of Delta Gamma. “I remember being up on stage and looking out on a huge sea of pink. It really worked out well.”
According to Davis, preparations for recruitment start very early. Junior Mimi Schaffner, vice president of member recruitment for Alpha Phi and the 2007-2008 Panhel vice president of recruitment, has already thought about next year’s events.
“We want to get started early this year to ensure the chapters have enough time to make their recruitment as strong as possible,” said Schaffner.
Junior Jocelyn Miller, president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, was pleased with the recruitment process this year.
“[Recruitment] went extremely well,” Miller said. “We love our new member class. They are all very smart, outgoing, and have already contacted me about getting involved. It’s a great start of the year for us.”
Freshman Cari Sekendur, new member of Alpha Phi, enjoyed her recruitment experience.
“At first, I was apprehensive, then I really started to like it,” said Sekendur. “I talked to a lot of cool girls that I wouldn’t meet otherwise.”
But Sekendur revealed that not all women shared a similar positive recruitment experience.
“I am very happy where I ended up, but I think it is unnecessary for girls not to get bids,” said Sekendur. “College freshmen have enough worries already and being cut from sororities just adds to their insecurities.”
Amid complaints of a rigorous schedule of events, most women still felt the week was a worthwhile experience.
“I think my least favorite part would be not getting much sleep, but in the end, it’s totally worth it,” said Schaffner. “My favorite part of recruitment is seeing the bond that takes place between the women involved. It is such a great time to get reconnected with the women in your sorority, and to get to know people that you didn’t know as well before.”