Why women go through rush today...
 

OK, so I went through rush in 1993. Gosh, that makes me feel old http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif In any case, I know we all have different reasons to go through rush, but I was wondering if anyone could answer this question. Why do women go through rush today, in 2001? What are they looking for in a sorority? In my regional position with my sorority, I have seen a decline in the number of women participating in rush, but more women are in school. This leads me to think that what sororities are offering may not necessarily be what the women are looking for. Of course, I am in the Northeast, where being Greek isn't as important as it is in the south. So, in that case, anyone got any ideas?

Thanks!
Heather

------------------
Delta Phi Epsilon, Celebrating 84 years of Dedication, Pride and Excellence!

We, as Greek women, need to look at this issue. We need to see what women are looking for and what we are offering. I think the basic concepts of sororities/female fraternities, love, friendship, sisterhood, are still valid and the main things that attract women, but what has changed in women's lives that has made sororites less attractive? One thing that is different is the fact that many women need to work in order to pay for school. This makes money an issue, as well as the time commitment. Second, are we still marketing sororities as a way to meet men, have fun, etc? This is no longer what women are looking for (solely). Back in the 50's, fraternities and sororites were the main way of meeting your wife or husband, that's still a cool way, but the antiquated ideas may still linger in the head of some possible recruits. We need to push career networking opportunities, how we are affecting social change, and the fact that parties are a fact of life, but we can think for ourselves and do not just answer to our EO. Independence is what women seek when going to school, they need to feel they are still autonomous when joining a sorority. Are we offering mentally healthy chapters? By this, I mean, maybe we need to incorporate more emotional support into chapter operations. When there is internal chapter strife, it is visible to the outside, believe it or not. If we have women who are causing chapter discord, how is it handled other than calling her names and excluding her? If that woman decides to leave the chapter and she is NOT HAPPY with the way things were handled, that causes the worst word of mouth bashing we could possibly encounter! What are EO's offering in way of chapter emotional support?

All of these things are things I have seen when dealing with chapters...These are also reasons I have heard as to why women decline joining, accepting a bid, or going thru recruitment...

I am looking forward to Rush b/c of so many reasons! Firstly, I became interested in sororities after my sister went Kappa Delta years and years ago. She loved KD, and told me how great sisterhood was, etc. I've seen all her Lil Sister/Big Sis things, her photo albums, photos of Initiation/Bid Day, etc. I was at her graudation ceremony, and her pledge class was graduating as well. I can't even explain how tight-knit they were! There was this flow of emotion too. They really seemed like sisters. Ever since then, I've wanted to belong to a sorority too when I get into college.

SEcondly, I logged onto GC. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif. The women here are fabulous--and totally put the stereotypes to shame. I don't think I've encountered one Greek here on GC which would fit the stereotype. Instead, these women are all supportive of one another, and totally fun and kind. They have supported me when I received an undesirable email from the V's. I have emailed some of them, and I'm SO GLAD that I've found GC!

Plus, I would LOVE to have the tight-knit sisterhood that my sister and the GC's have experienced. If I decide to go to a UC, more or less it will be a huge student body. Joining a sorority would allow me to feel more at home, IMO. I would love to have fabulous Bid Day, Initiation, Big Sis/Lil Sis memories too. Plus, I've heard that networking opportunities for life after college is great. Not to mention, one of my best friends, Theta-Cutie, absolutely loves her sorority and gushes about it to me everyday! LOL http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Kick butt post sigmagrrl!! U ROCK!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

I saw an article in the Atlantic today that seemed to touch on this subject (focusing on student life at Princeton). Be warned, it's hella long. Current students who choose to plow through it can tell me how accurate it is.
http://www.theatlantic.com/cgi-bin/o...brooks-p1.html

The biggest point that it seemed to be making is that many college students do activities not because they enjoy them but as a means to an end. Everyone's so busy and overscheduled there's no time for just hanging out anymore. I don't know - if you look at a sorority as just a succession of activities, maybe you wouldn't be able to see the worth, but the best times of being in a sorority are just having down time with your sisters and watching soaps together. That's when the real bonding is. If you can't make time for that, it is hard to see the point. We have to show that a sorority is something that lessens the stress and tension, not adds to it.

When I joined my GLO, it was primarily for the professional benefits (seeing how it's a professional fraternity and all http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif). I couldn't believe I was actually joining a GLO, until that time I always thought of sororities as the typical snobby, ditzy, rich girls. (Incidentally, I'm really glad that I learned how wrong I was about that!)

It wasn't until I pledged and then became pretty active with the chapter that I appreciated all of the other benefits (brother/sisterhood, service opportunities, even the social perks...)

Saying that women are looking for independence at college is hitting the nail on the head. They need to know what benefits chapter life has for them (as well as knowing what they'll be doing once they're in).

------------------
SilverTurtle@greekchat.com

Phi Beta Fraternity
Phi chapter

I'm bumping this in hopes of getting some more responses...

Okay, so when i went through rush it was because my roommate was aggravating me about how she was bored and had no friends. So i told her I would go through if she did. I didn't plan on joining a sorority, but then I saw all the benefits and made friends during those four days. It was awesome so I joined! That is my story, not to cool, I know.

I think women join sororities for the same reasons today as they did ten years ago. The mindset of the typical 18 yr old is that she wants to be accepted, belong to a social group, have a frame of reference, etc. Yes, there are more women in college today, but we have to take into account the profile of the "non-traditional" student. This term is used widely at colleges and universities to describe students attending college for the first time who are:
1. over 24, and/or
2. married, and/or
3. has children, and/or
4. works full-time

There is a decline in "traditional" students, which affects many student activities, such as the Greek System. The Greek System historically provides said support for the "traditional" 18-23 set, but for many who are married, have children, or work full-time, may not see any benefits or practicalities of going Greek. Of course, there are exceptions, as we have seen the inquiries on this board. I am, of course, speaking in a broad, general sense. Perhaps Greek organizations should tweek the marketing and programming to be more attractive to non-traditionals. I do believe that alumnae initiation is a positive step in that direction.

why women go through rush, very good topic!!!! I believe rush is very different in the yr 2001. As Sigma girl stated in her post we women greeks really need to look at that and see what our fellow females are looking for. Although more women are in college, sororities don't appeal to alot , i believe due to stereotypes, rumors, and any other type of myth or misbelief they have heard.Some think they are to old, some don't kow the facts, and some don't see or know the purpose, which is why I think there has been a slight decline in numbers. I think the typical female college student goes through rush, because they have a expectation of what college life is, I also think some are looking for that extra outlet for social,service, and a group of females were they are truly relaxed around and call honestly call them "sisters". Therefore maybe relieving any college woes about friends, guys, etc...
When I went through rush almost three yrs from now. I personally was looking for service activities, a group that I could call sisters, or what I call them today my other family http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif and to totally utilize my college campus's benefits, activities and add to my school spirit.
Hope this all made sense~
Much Luv
DGPhoney~

------------------
"Simply the Best, Delta Gamma Pi"
http://everythingblack.websitenow.com/citron

I'm going through rush because I want to become part of a sisterhood that I can share triumphs and sadness with. I want to be a part of the greek community so I can have pride in wearing my letters like all my older friends. I want to make connections that will last me a lifetime and I want to meet girls that I can be friends with forever!

I really thought girls went to SORO's to meet Fraternity Men TEEHEE!

I understand what you are saying about being a greek in the Northeast. I am not a greek, but from an outsiders point of view, the NE sorority sisters aren't as friendly as the South sorority sisters. Maybe its just me! But that's how it looks. Sometimes they can be a little unfriendly and intimidating. This is why most women don't attend rush.

I haven't responded because this seems pointed to undergraduate experiences. I can tell you why I did in undergrad, even though I was not accepted: sisterhood, a special form. I believe that the women in the sorority I am interested in are integral to their community, and they are ambitious, caring, and dedicated. I would like to surround myself with like-minded individuals making up a powerful collective.

One reason I joined a sorority was to feel like a somebody. When I was little (think age 6)I always wanted to be a cheerleader. Well once I got to HS I never made the squad. SO a sorority to me meant acceptance and social status. Now that i'm in a sorority I realize there is so much more to it. Plus most people could care less if you are in a sorority I've found out. It is a good way to meet guys. I've met such good friends. Ones that will be bridesmaids if I ever find a man who will love me enough. HEHE

Although this is a sorority-related topic, please allow me to offer the point of view of a fraternity man. The Delta Phi Epsilon regional offier suggested that if membership is declining, it may be because the sororities' "product" isn't as popular as it once was. I respectfully disagree. My observation has been that the sororities deliberately restrict their market in a way harmful to themselves. There are many junior transfer students who would make terrific members, but none of the good sororities will pledge them. They fill their pledge class with freshmen, and the juniors tend to not want to go through rush, not because they don't want in, but because they know the prestige houses won't pledge anthing but freshmen! The juniors won't join lower-status sororities (they don't have time to come in and work to re-build them), and so any sorority not making quota and having to rush outside of formal rush, is often branded a loser. The sororities' strict rush quota system means in effect that the good sororities only rush the women who come through rush. If they see a decline in overall memebrship, they tend to think in terms of changing the product rather than changing the way they recruit members. Don't do that; the product is great! If you change the product, then REALLY no one will buy it. Do you wonder why even though there are many beautiful and accomplished female athletes on varsity teams now, they aren't found in sororities? It is NOT because they wouldn't join, or because they don't have time or because they're 'different'. It is purely and simply because the sororities do not rush them. Period. Sororities have a mindset that rush efforts outside of formal rush are for losers. Either that, or they just don't know how to do it. Please, do not read all this as a criticizm of sororities; I am their biggest booster. The talk about pledging non-traditional students concerns me. I am confident that any sorority trying to fill their ranks with non-traditional students will fail as an organization. There's not a thing wrong with pledging a non-traditional student, providing that student wants to fit into the traditional profile of the organization. Again, the product is great. Don't change the product; just expand the way you recruit. I feel very confident that if the rush rules & requirements were suspended, and if someone who really knew what they were doing were to come in and have the advantage of open rush, that person could create, literally overnight, a new sorority strong enough to rival any on campus. Thank you for allowing me to comment. I think sororities are fantastic, and I want them to continue to be successful.