My college lets freshmen rush in January, and the vast majority of girls who join a sorority do so as freshmen. We have had deferred rush since before I came to school. I think it works out well for most houses. It gives the sororities a chance to "watch" the freshmen girls for a semester before deciding who to give bids to. Our membership decisions are based on more than just rush-week impressions since we have three or four months (with pretty "open" contact) in which to casually get to know the rushees. We are allowed to invite them to dinner (they pay for themselves), invite them over to watch a TV show, and things like that. The freshmen girls ARE NOT allowed to attend our parties, though, and we absolutely can not buy them alcohol or anything like that. Essentially, we have time to get to know the new girls at a natural pace, as opposed to trying to see what they're all about in only a week or two (if rush were at the start of school).
From the rushees' perspective, postponing rush until January gives them more time to observe the sororities "in action." They probably hear more about each house's stereotype than they would if rush were earlier, but I don't think that hurts my house. It might hurt the few weakest houses, but at least rushees aren't being mislead when they make their choices in January. They know what kind of a group they're joining, and they know how the campus at large perceives that group.
I think deferred rush is a good thing. Both parties (sororities and rushees) are making really important decisions during rush, and putting rush off a few months gives rushees and houses more complete (less superficial) information on which to base those choices.
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