Week introduces prospective Greeks
Campus Times
March 6, 1998
Thoughts, emotions and questions raced through the minds of rushees
last week as they entered Rush week.
Signing up for the Rush events was the easy part. The week that lay
ahead would be hard for some, and easier for others. Many rushees did not
know much about the Greek life; others who had friends within the Greek
system, however, had some idea of fraternities and sororities.
"I wasn't sure what to expect. My father had been in a fraternity.
He told me about the bounds he formed with his fellow members. I really
enjoyed Open House," said Tina Henderson, a freshman business marketing
major who chose to rush this semester. "I gained a lot of information
on what each sorority has to offer."
Through it all, though, the rushees encountered new people and experiences
and also learned a lot.
Rush week began with each sorority's Open House on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Three groups were formed, one per sorority, Iota Delta, Sigma Kappa
and Phi Sigma Sigma. Sororities set up information booths and tables for
the rushees. There, rushees were able to ask questions and had the chance
to learn about the differences between each sorority.
Some rushees were anxious for the activities, while others remained
nervous with fear. During each party, as sorority members greeted them with
welcome and courtesy, the fear and nervousness began to fade.
Like the University's sororities, the fraternities sponsored a Rush
week of their own. On Monday, Feb. 23, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) and
Phi Delta Theta fraternities held their open house.
Throughout the entire week, both fraternities sponsored entertaining
activities for the rushees. Each rushee had the opportunity to choose whose
social event to attend.
While, SAE sponsored a night of laser tag, Phi Delta Theta invited rushees
to games at a Sega arcade.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, each Greek organization sponsored a special event
for the rushees.
Female rushees were separated into three groups and escorted to a party,
where each of the sororities designated the evening to a theme party.
Phi Sigma Sigma had a USO theme, in which members where dressed as various
American Service Officers. Iota Delta presented "Happy Birthday, Iota
Delta" in celebration of the sorority's upcoming 10-year anniversary;
Sigma Kappa, in the meantime, sponsored a Hard Rock Cafe, which they designated
as "Sigma Kappa Cafe" for the event.
On this night, the SAE invited rushees to a television taping of the
late-night show "Vibe," hosted by comedian Sinbad. Phi Delta Theta
planned a bowling event.
At each event, rushees were encouraged to ask questions they had about
the Greek system, or about fraternities and sororities in general.
"Last semester I had went to the dinners, I wasn't really sure
about rushing then, but I decided to try it this semester and go to more
activities," said Mario Guerrero, a freshman Spanish major. "Going
to the arcade event was fun. After members thoroughly answered my questions
I felt sure of my decision to rush."
After the conclusion of Open House and Theme Night, each Greek organization
decided whom to invite as returning rushees for Preference Night.
Those rushees who were invited to return received invitations in their
mailboxes. From that point, rushees were given the option of accepting the
invitation from two organizations.
Following Preference Night, some rushees were given bids to sign showing
their acceptance.
Overall, those who took part in Rush week gained insight to the Greek
organizations, met new people and formed an eclectic group of friends.
"I feel like there are only a handful of people I really know on
campus. I want to reach out and meet different people here," said Henderson,
who accepted a bid from Sigma Kappa.
According to Guerrero, "joining a fraternity is a way of complimenting
college."
Some rushees and Greek members enjoy the voluntary and philanthropy
aspects of the system, and others feel it is a way to get closer to friends
within a fraternity or sorority.
"I couldn't picture myself in a sorority before I came to college.
It was something I really never thought of," said freshman Norma Cruz.
"Then when I started meeting friends who were in sororities I decided
to try and see if I like it.
"I guess I'll just wait and see what happens," said Cruz,
who accepted a bid from Phi Sigma Sigma.
