Every August, sorority and fraternity members at the U gear up for the biggest production of the year: Recruitment Week.
Commonly known as Rush Week, Recruitment Week is an extravaganza of activities and interviews.
With the exception of those members who have had family or friends in sororities or fraternities, most people enter Rush Week with little knowledge of what to expect, or the differences between houses. Others have a skewed view of the reality of recruitment, said Lori McDonald, Greek Row adviser.
“I have heard myths like women are evaluated on their family’s income before they even show up for recruitment (and) that women are ‘judged’ on what they are wearing or the brand of purse they are carrying,” McDonald said. “I know for a fact that none of this is true.”
There are many differences between sorority and fraternity recruitment. Men are simply advised to wear “casual dress,” while women have two full paragraphs detailing appropriate attire for the seven-day event.
Another disparity is the role of recruitment counselors. Women acting as recruitment counselors in sororities must remain anonymous during the process and cut off all affiliation with their respective chapters in order to remain neutral. Fraternity members, on the other hand, are allowed to openly discuss their chapter affiliations.
Regardless, the most important advice to remember for Recruitment Week is to “be yourself,” McDonald said. “Do not try to be someone you are not, and consider if the current members of a chapter are being genuine, too.”
Potential new members will spend hours answering questions ranging from their studies in school to their favorite type of music. The greek website advises women that, “A firm handshake, a ready smile and a natural conversation are your most important assets.”
Engaging conversation is also encouraged on both ends, as wandering eyes or distractedness can mistakenly portray disinterest.
“Go through recruitment with an open mind, be yourself and you’ll find your place,” said Brittany Anderson, Panhellenic Council recuritment chairwoman and a senior in family and consumer studies. “You’ll meet so many fun girls that you can’t wait to become friends with.”
During recruitment, potential new members, dubbed “rushees,” have seven days to decide which of the sororities they wish to join.
“Since the U is a commuer campus, rushing gets you more connected with the school while creating lasting friendships,” said Blake Beus, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and a senior in business marketing.
Lisa Teran