I'm not against "frilly" rush, but when I see chapters talking about things like $10,000 worth of gold fabric to cover the walls, or catered meals that cost a similar amount, well, you have to draw the line somewhere. The fact that that money could be used for the sorority's philanthropy - or hey, for a scholarship for a girl who'd be a great sister but can't afford dues - is what bugs me.

I was more responding to DGTess acting like no refreshments has been the downfall of the Greek system, or that the omission of them has a thing to do with bid matching or trying to keep things on a level playing field Panhellenically. (It doesn't.) I guess the thing is that her posts don't make sense to me, as she says that her chapter was never above 20 people and so (even in the 70s) I doubt it was a chapter with a frilly Southern type rush. I think we're all trying to help her understand that however she was rushed, it wasn't typical, even back then.

U. of Arkansas recruitment fee was $185 and 200 late registration, I believe. The PNM's got 4 t-shirts, and there was bus transportation. The $185 is expensive compared to other universities, but it was less expensive than more traditional "rush clothes" would be. The t-shirts and shorts or skirts were the attire for everything except pref parties.

I'm really not opposed to some frills either- we all want to be good hostesses and entertain our guests with a nice presentation that is tasteful and thoughtful. There's a lot of ground between a spartan rush party in a classroom and building the Emerald City on your front lawn! Mostly I think 99% of all schools have really embraced cutting back on the frills that just were not necessary in favor of putting more emphasis on talking to and getting to know the rushee and vice versa. I just wouldn't want someone to pledge my chapter because they like chocolate mousse cake more than....me.