Pref Night Part Two
 

My night began with Plath. I wasn't not sure what to expect. I entersx the house, full of beautiful candles and flowers. My rush date was the newspaper editor and that’s right, the President of Plath. The President of Plath is rushing me. The President of Plath is rushing me. The President of Plath is rushing me. I must have said this to myself a hundred times as we walked outside to a table and nearly knocked over a candle. We sat down and had a good chat about all the things I’d learned about Plath over the week. Suddenly, I was beaming. I loved it there. Everyone was so poised, polished, and kind. She asked me how I felt. I told her how happy I was to be at Plath and mustered up the courage to say, “I can really see myself here”. She told me, “Good! We were hoping you’d say that.” My other rusher was a girl I’d had earlier in the week. As the President left to conclude the ceremony she told me I was cute and fabulous and that she wanted me there. I’m cute with this monstrosity on my nose? If you say so. The end of ceremony moved many actives to tears and I hoped I’d be lucky enough to join this group of girls who proved themselves to be so wonderful. Was I confident enough to a Plath? Had the right sorority been under my (blemished) nose all along?

I end with Eliot. My rush date is the sophomore newspaper girl and she was very happy to see me. I enjoyed the ceremony but felt awkward during our conversation. I tried to steer it away from my decision but failed. She asked me how I felt, and I told her I was unsure and confused. I hated to lie but I really didn’t want to hurt her feelings. The girls took so much pride in their sorority’s preference night and I was honored to be invited. Still, was I truly an Eliot? Some others seemed to think so and I had met a lot of cool girls throughout the week….

No I do not feel so bad for rooting for Syliva Plath the whole time!

I am anxious to see what happens! :D

Wow...Plath...way to rack up the rush violations...;):D

What are you talking about? There were no rush infractions.

This can definetly be construed as a rush infraction. Also, her saying "I was hoping you would say that" as well....

I personally think it's silly that if you really want a girl, you're not supposed to tell her that...but I can see how it would be abused, either by telling EVERY PNM that and leading them on, or by one sister saying that and her not having enough pull to get you a bid (one sister cannot speak for the whole...).

I didn't think those were infractions. Maybe different Panhellenics interpret the rules differently/more strictly than others? I thought as long as you stopped short of promising a bid you were ok, and everybody tried to get as close to that point as they could!

I agree -- the president of that group sounds like a good rusher to me!

Maybe our PanHel just had sticks up their ass then...totally possible.

It always amazes me how some girls are scared to death of a Rush Infraction from Panhellenic, but don't worry at all in breaking federal and state laws every night of the week!


OK...back to the story!

My chapter was taught that it is ok to say "I want you here" but not "WE want you here". Basically, you can give YOUR opinion and use the word "I" but not speak for the chapter, as that would be bid promising by using the word "we".

We were always allowed to say things like "I hope to see you back," or, on Pref Night, "I hope to see you tomorrow." The only thing that was off limits were the infamous "Bs" and out-and-out bid promising. On my campus, saying something like "I really want you here", etc. would have been construed as kind of tacky/overbearing, but not against any set rule.

Our chapter had troubles with the rush rules, and this is one we truly questioned. Our CPC said that as along as a bid isn't promised or implied, it is not an infraction. Saying that you hope to see someone on Bid Day is fine, saying you will see someone on Bid Day is wrong.

I was thinking the same thing!

Well, I am not sure how rush works on other campuses but it is common at my campus for actives to say "I'd like to see you tomorrow", "We want to see you here" on Pref Night. I experienced this at both houses I preffed as did my friends. Our Gamma Chis even coached us that the question about our decision would probably come up and how to reply properly. I guess it could be misunderstood or used improperly but we don't have a huge problem with actives saying those sorts of things and then PNMs not receiving bids. If that makes any sense?

I agree with JessSigKap - the "we" is the troubling thing here, as it implies the whole chapter is of the same opinion as the speaker. Unless she's the Queen of England or something.