We had that same rule, too. However, since recruitment dates were set in stone months ahead of time, we all were able to make proper arrangements with our employers. Most, if not all, of us were only working part-time anyway, so we had ample time to find someone to trade shifts or switch days off.

It was mostly the freshly initiated underclassmen who tried to make a big deal about it because they didn't know any better...but eventually they learned that work is no excuse to miss rush!

I lived at home, and therefore had no room and board. But I paid my own way as far as books, sorority events, and any outside activities. I worked part-time while in school. I was at Macy’s for 3 years as a sales associate. Luckily for me, they were very understanding and flexible about my schedule. Over the summer, I worked about 40 hours a week, but over the school year I was putting in a little over 20 hours per week. I would be at work from the store opening before 10am, stay a few hours, go to class, and then go back to work. Of course it helped that the mall was 4 minutes from my school! If I had events that I knew were mandatory, I would simply let a manager know ahead of time or switch with another coworker.

I would say that about half of my chapter worked while in school. The other half had money sent to them by mom and dad.