70's Recruitment at SPU.
 

Since lurking on these boads for several years, I have decided to write my formal recruitment story. Anybody remember the mid 70s...bad polyester pants, hair with "wings", platform shoes. Not fashions's finest!

My parents were graduates of a local Baptist college with a great reputation, and were thrilled that I had been offered a full Presidential scholarship that covered tuition, board, books, etc for 4 years. One problem...I did not want to go to school there. It was in my hometown, had many more repressive rules for female students (males could pretty much go and do that they wanted). Remember, this was the 70's and many private secular schools had very strict rules for women.

When I informed my parents that I did not want to take advantage of this wonderful scholarship, they were very disappointed...and I was told that I would either get a full scholarship to another school or that I would indeed be attending said Baptist college. Luckily, a family friend had attended a small public university in my state, and he managed to have my information sent to this university. I was accepted, full presidential scholarship and all! So off to SPU I would go.

SPU
 

The first time I visited SPU I fell in love with the campus! About 4,000 students, and a small but active Greek Community. I knew that I wanted to rush that fall! I had cousins and an aunt who were Greek, but they were considerably older than me and did not offer much advise. I met women in all 3 NPC groups during my first campus visit, and actually spent a weekend with several of them on different visits. They were all so nice! I even attended the spring formal with one group...they set me up with a very nice date (football player) and I had a ball. (Quite sure this would not be allowed these days but it was the norm at this school at the time).

SPU
 

All three NPC groups are very strong nationally and prominant in my state. I'm going to name them for three of my favorite (southern) trees:

Dogwood
Magnolia
Crepe Myrtle

I remember the 70s...I was there. My university didn't have "hours", but I missed that by a few years. The universities were very into "in loco parentis" in those days. And as for "wings" (a la Farrah Fawcett), very face framing and eye highlighting. ahem.........

On with the story
 

Rush begain the week before classes started, so the rushees, sorority members, and football team in summer practices were the only ones on campus.

I really wasn't nervous about rush. My roommate, whom I had met over the summer through some Crepe Myrtles, was wonderful! We had shopped for matching bedspreads and cute accessories for our dorm room. Roomie had graduated from a well-respected private school in the city, while I had attended a public school in a nearby suburb. She had several close friends who were Crepe Myrtles and pretty much knew she would pledge there. I figured that I would do the same thing as Roomie.

Although I was not a cheerleader or homecoming queen, I had been very involved in high school. Editor of the school paper, honor societies, varsity athletics, and band kept me very busy... and I had a large cross section of friends as a result. I had also graduated as valedictorian of my class.

Rush begins
 

We moved into a dorm where all rushees were housed. SPU did not have sorority or fraternity houses, but all groups had nice chapter rooms in several dorms.

I suppose that there were rush counselors, but I do not recall being assigned to one person in particular nor do I recall sessions where we were advised what type of questions to ask, etc.

There were 3 rounds...open house, skit, and pref. All attended open house round, could attend all 3 skits if invited, and could attend 2 pref parties if invited.

My memory of open house is that...pretty much nothing stood out. I was surprised with the singing and clapping, but enjoyed all 3 parties. I knew more Crepe Myrtles and Magnolias than Dogwoods, but recognized girls in each party that I had met during orientation and campus visits. All 3 groups had campus beauties, cheerleaders, and members in honorary/leadership societies.

I can't wait to hear more! Talk about wings -we had a sister who won a Farrah Fawcett look-a-like contest!

Anxiously awaiting the rest of the story!!

this is actually pretty cool.

Skit Day
 

Sorry this story is dragging on so long...tried to post twice last night at a different computer and lost it both times. Now on with the story...

In the Old Days, rushees received invitations for the next round of parties and selected which ones they wanted to attend (hopefully maximizing their options). So, I was excited to be invited to all 3 skit parties and accepted all invitations. Roomie did the same.

This round of parties was held off campus in activity centers (we called them fellowship halls back then) of local churches, and alumnae of each group drove us from campus to the party and then back to campus afterwards.

Party 1 was Dogwood. It had a movie theme. The costumes and skit were pretty good, but in that large room it was obvious that currently Dogwood was the smallest sorority on campus. They worked hard at selling their close sisterhood, and the conversations were great. I left liking Dogwood.

Party 2 was Magnolia. It had a 50's theme...and this was before the movie Grease came out, so I thought it was wierd seeing alot of girls with their hair slicked back like the guys wore it back then. The girls in the poodle skirts were cute, though. The skit was not very good. The chapter members tried to act like they loved the skit and were having a great time, but they could not quite pull it off. To make things worse, I recall having to sit on a child-sized chair. I am 5'9" tall, and felt like the Jolly Green Giant. If I had not felt so awkward, I might have been able to relax and enjoy the party more. I knew several Magnolias and they were so much fun...but I left this party underwhelmed with Magnolia.

Party 3 was Crepe Myrtle. It had a circus theme. The room was decorated impressively and all the costumes were so adorable. I had the best time! I enjoyed talking to 3 different Crepe Myrtles. They were girls that I had not really met before, but since I had gotten to talk to the Crepe Myrtles that I knew that previous round it was OK. Just before the party ended, my third girl asked if I had any questions. I said "no"...and then said "I really, really want to be a Crepe Myrtle." She hugged me and grabbed a nearby Crepe Myrtle and told her "she wants Crepe Myrtle" to which I replied, "yes, I really do." Hugs all around. I left the party feeling confident that I would be a Crepe Myrtle on Bid Day.

uh oh... I smell trouble. :-)

Preference
 

The next day after lunch we received our invites to Pref. I opened my envelope and found two cards. I looked at them...Dogwood and Magnolia. I looked back in the envelope...no more cards. My heart sank. I looked at Roomie, who of course had all 3 cards in her envelope. I told her that Crepe Myrtle had not invited me back for Pref. She looked astonished and said "there has to be a mistake. Let's go to Greek Life to straighten this out." So she marched me into the office and asked the person in charge of rush to check over the invitation lists because she was sure that a human error had occurred (everything, inclucing bid matching, was done by hand in those days). The lady checked and said no, there had not been a mistake.

I turned in my acceptance to Dogwood and Magnolia. Roomie chose Crepe Myrtle and Magnolia. We went back to our room. I broke into tears as soon as the door was shut. Roomie was furious. She said "I don't know what those girls are thinking. The Crepe Myrtles love you." I continued to cry and even thought about dropping out of recruitment. Roomie suggested that I call my mother. OK, remember that phones were rotary dial, and this was in the middle part of the day on a week day. Call home collect in the middle of the day? The charges would be astronomical!

But that is what I did. My mother accepted the charges and probably thought that I had been in a terrible accident or something...the way I was sobbing on the phone. No, I told her...a terrible thing has happened. The Crepe Myrtles did not invite me back for pref. Not being Greek, and not really understanding why I wanted to be in a sorority, she really didn't understand why I was so upset. But she also realized that I felt rejected. She said "Honey, you don't always get what you want in life, and sometimes that is a good thing. But, come home if you really want to. I don't see you as a quitter. And, didn't you like all 3 groups?"

She may not have said those exact words, but the message got through to me. I told her that I guessed that I would stay and go to my 2 pref parties. Before she hung up, she asked me if I had gotten her letter. (My sweet Mama would faithfully write me a newsey letter each and every day whenever I was away from home at camp, so apparently she thought rush was like camp and was writing me every day). I told her that I hadn't checked my mail but would do so right away.

So, I go back to my room, wash my face, and walk over to the student union building where the mail boxes were located and found mine. Sure enough, there was a letter inside. I dialed my combination and took out the letter...and then realized that I was cornered by 2 Crepe Myrtles that I knew fairly well. My face flushed red, but one of them immediately said that they were so sorry about what happened. There had been a big fight in selection session, because they knew that they would be 2 below chapter total after they made quota and decided that they would cut 2 sure things and then pick them up as COB after rush. And they decided that an in-house legacy and I were the 2 sure things and we were among those cut. They didn't think that this was the right way to do this, but they guranteed that I would get one of those bids after rush. Not wanting to get caught dirty rushing, they turned and hurried out of the post office area.

I don't know what was most upsetting to me...being cut or finding out the reason I was cut was that I had told them that I wanted to be a Crepe Myrtle. And all of the "chapter total and COB" talk was totally foreign to me and I did not know what it meant. So, rather than turn the Crepe Myrtles in for dirty rushing and getting my questions answered, I went back to my dorm and told Roomie what had happened.:eek:

The plot thickens!

wow. I can't fully grasp the implications as i'm not in NPC...but wtf.

Teenager has dreams crushed, then is essentially promised a bid after recruitment which is all kinds of wrong. She now faces two options, go through pref and accept a bid from one of the other two or drop out/finish without accepting a bid and count on the promise from Crepe Myrtle.

You may very well have gotten that without me, but writing it helped me be sure I was understanding it right :p

yeah, i got that part lol. i was talking about the dirty rushing and just how bad what they did was.

Ah, I don't know what the punishment would be, but talking to a PNM outside of rush and then promising a bid to a PNM in the process is a fairly serious infraction. (Although on some campuses far more "serious" infractions are overlooked) Someone else might be able to give an idea of what the punishment would have been then and now.

ARUGH! I need more! I love me some retro-drama! (I'm picturing one of the Crepe Myrtles looking just like Jackie from That 70's Show, and you looking like Donna since she's so tall!)

And the mention of infractions has me intrigued. I can't find a thread dedicated to infractions alone... anyone know of one?

No clue, if there isn't we need one!

Pref night
 

Drolefille, you summed it up perfectly!

So, Roomie and I had to get ready for our pref parties. I didn't keep a journal during recruitment so many details are hazy, but I recall exactly what my pref dress looked like. I was very proud of it...a georgeous cotton jersey dress with an empire waist and low, round neckline. The sleeves were loose and flowing, and it was in shades of light blue and white...not quite tie-dyed but very pretty. Add cute sandals and simple jewelry. I think I would still like this outfit today (and not cringe at the memory of some of the stuff that we all wore back then).

Pref parties were held in the back yards of prominant local alumnae. Again, we were driven to the parties by alumnae of the party that we were attending. I don't think there was much conversation going on...we were all too nervous.

I went to Dogwood's party first. The garden was lovely, and Dogwood's beautiful flower was featured. The Dogwood president preffed me the whole party. She told me how she could see me as a leader in Dogwood and thought I would be their president in a year. She stressed all of the positives that Dogwood had to offer. I admit, it was quite flattering for my wounded ego. But, I didn't feel anything. Where was that "you'll know where you belong?" Had I missed my chance of feeling that? I left the party with a Dogwood flower, napkin, and a letter from the president(those were the days when you could do such things).

Next I went to Magnolia's party. I did not see Roomie there, so she must have gone to Magnolia first and then finished with Crepe Myrtle. Again, a beautiful back garden with a fountain and white iron lawn furniture placed strategically throughout the large back yard. I recognized a few other rushees that I had met during the week, but did not know any of them very well. I was seated with my first Magnolia and given a cup of punch. I looked at all of the other Magnolias standing around, saw the love in their faces...and click! My broken heart was healed. My rusher (and I well remember who she was) started to talk, saying "I'm so nervous because I really want you to know how much I want you as my sister and I'm searching to find the right words." I looked straight back at her, smiled, and said "You've already said the right words. I want to be a Magnolia." (I am aware that I have used the word "really" too much...but I really, really did want to be a Magnolia). She broke into a smile, and we just talked like old friends. Then they had a beautiful ceremony. My second Magnolia came to talk to me, and had heard what I told my first rusher. She didn't want to take it for granted, so she continued to tell me why I should be a Magnolia (good girl...never give up!). I left the party with a Magnolia flower, napkin, and little white box tied with Magnolia colored ribbon in which was a petit four for us to "make a wish and put it under your pillow for good luck." (I am sure that this is not spelled correctly but am trying to get this out quickly..sorry!).

Back on campus we were repeatedly told not to talk to anyone and led into a room to sign our bid cards. Instructed to rank our #1 followed by our #2 choice, we were also told that if we had multiple choices and only ranked one sorority, there could be dire consequences. I was probably one of the first to fill out and sign my bid card. It read #1 Magnolia #2 Magnolia. Yes, I suicided Magnolia.

As I left the classroom, I turned and looked at Roomie. She was just sitting there staring at her card.

:eek:

I know right? I'm on the edge of my metaphorical seat and I don't even usually read these!

After pref
 

Sorry...I had to run to an alumnae group meeting tonight...where we wrote recs for local girls going throuh recruitment!

I will wrap this up now. I did not mean for it to be strung along for over a week!

So, I went back to the dorm to wait for Roomie. It seemed like about an hour before she came back. When she came into the room, she looked absolutely spent. I looked at her and said "I suicided Magnolia, and I am so happy." She looked relieved. And then she told me that she could not bring herself to sign a bid card and turned it in empty.:(

Roomie said that she enjoyed the Magnolia party and then went to Crepe Myrtle. She said that she spent the entire party telling the girls who came to speak to her that she thought that what they did to me was so terrible that she was torn about even joining a sorority. I can't imagine how an 18 year old girl summoned up the courage to do that, because we had only been friends for a short time. I was very touched.

We talked into the night. I knew her heart was with Crepe Myrtle, and told her that even though I appreciated her loyalty, that she needed to do what was right for her, and not to worry about me. I was very happy with my choice and felt that in the end, I had found the right home for me. She needed to do the same.

The next morning we were told to stay in our rooms at a certain time. Sure enough, an envelope with my name was slid under our door. Of course, it contained my bid to Magnolia! Roomie wished me well and off I ran to Bid Day. After I returned, Roomie told me that Crepe Myrtle had called her to tell her that they wanted to offer her a COB bid. I was so happy for her!

Crepe Myrtle was the only group that made quota that year, but could still give out 2 COB. One went to In-House Legacy (who had dropped out of rush) and the other went to Roomie. Both Magnolia and Dogwood got busy and pledged great girls through COB. Our dorm room was evenly matched with Magnolia and Crepe Myrtle memrobelia.

After fall semester, Roomie moved into the dorm where Crepe Myrtle's chapter room and most of its members lived. My dorm room adjoined the dorm next to Magnolia's chapter room. One of my COB sisters, Rose (because she would become KA Rose the following year) moved in with me. I was a biology major and pretty outgoing. She was an English major who was very cute but quiet...and I think other Magnolias were worried that we were a mismatch. But Rose and I roomed together for the rest of my college days and got along fabulously.

Two years later, I was Magnolia's rush chairman and promptly got rid of the 50's skit. Roomie was Crepe Myrtle's vice-president. Three years later, Roomie was Crepe Myrtle's president and Rose was the Magnolia president. I was starting medical school. I ended up graduating in 3 years because I had gotten into medical school as an early decision candidate (much to my surprise).

After medical school and residency, I moved to College Town where I still live. It has a Magnolia chapter, so over the past 20+ years I have enjoyed being a chapter adviser and active alumnae member. I have also served in several national and area officer positions. My SPU college years were wonderful, but my best Magnolia friends and memories are as an alumna!

And finally the big reveal. When I opened up that bid card 35 years ago it invited me to be a member of...



...............









.....................








PHI MU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Dogwood was Kappa Delta. At one of our Phi Mu conventions the KD national president was a featured speaker and she was awesome!

Crepe Myrtle was Delta Delta Delta. Some of my good friends are Tri Deltas..but to this day I will not plant pansies in my yard.

Looking back, I would have been happy and productive in any of the 3 sororities at SPU. I now realize that each sorority has similar values and offers opportunities for leadership and growth.

Thanks for reading!

Belated congratulations for your bid ;)

And awesome story, thanks so much!

great story, and congrats to Phi Mu!!! :)

I loved reading your story, especially since I could relate to how rush worked at the time, the dirty rushing, and all. I especially loved this:


I have said this again and again. Of my friends who went to college, they are almost all Greeks, and most are sisters. It's not four years, it's a lifetime!

Congratulations, fellow Macon Magnolia !

i was too! i opened the thread intending to skim and got sucked in.

LOL! this was an awesome thread. now, you need to go and handle that burberry chick that is surely perping your sorority.

If not perping, representing Phi Mu in a horrible way.

We're all hoping it's the former, I think.

I'm so glad to read a story with an amazing Phi Mu ending. I was hoping Magnolia would be Phi Mu because it sounded so much like my own chapter! Faithful sisters until the end.

Loved reading this... especially your "aha!" moment during preference. I'm with Honeychile (and you too); I treasure all the wonderful memories and friendships that came after college (and those friendships include women in almost every GLO, not just my own).

May I inquire as to what happened to the Greek community at SPU? I don't see any groups left there.

SPU = Seattle Pacific University?

I thought spu meant small public university.

You spelled it correctly. ;)

Great story, especially for those of us who remember the 70s!

i loved this story!!! thank you for sharing it with us.

Thank you for sharing your story!! Phi Mu is so lucky to have a member like you :D

addendum
 

Thanks for everyone who has read my story and all of the comments. All 3 sororities at SPU (Small Public University) are still there and going strong. A 4th NPC group colonized, struggled, and closed after a few years back in the 90's, I believe.

A few more tidbits..I attended Phi Mu's spring formal my senior year in high school and really knew more of them than KD or Tri Delta. I just really thought that I should pledge the same sorority as Roomie..as we were going to be roommates for life!

We are having a reunion next month for the women who were in the chapter from 1974-78. Thanks to email and Facebook, many of us have reconnected after over 30 years. Sisters from across the country will be coming to reunite in our sisterhood.

Life is good! :)

It does brain freeze on my part. :o