Quote:
Originally posted by deltaduke
After being on both sides of the rush system I think
2) all schools should have rush in the spring rather than the fall, that way you can get more info than second hand from fraternity guys!
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I'd have to disagree with that statement. I went to a trimester school, Rush was in January. All the GLO's had pre-rush events so you could go and meet the members and learn about Rush (Rho Chis were present at all events). LOTS of freshman girls hung out at the fraternity houses first term and got to hear the fraternity guys' opinions on each sorority. If a freshman started dating a guy first term who said "Oh no, you shouldn't go ABC, they're all lame," she might not give ABC a fair chance, whether or not she actually liked the girls. THEN she would pressure her friends into dropping ABC too, all to please her boyfriend. I've experienced this firsthand and it is NOT pretty...one girl dated a guy who thought one particular group on campus was comprised of nerds, and she was not only influenced by him but influenTIAL on her friends. Some of her friends came to the pref party but no one actually preffed. With early fall Rush, freshman women have not had the chance to meet so many people, they hear fewer opinions and can go into Rush with an open mind. It does happen.
The thing is, we DID give them more than second-hand info. When I was a Rho Chi I posted all kinds of informational signs and helped with lots of groups' pre-rush events. I hate to say it but I think secondhand fraternity men's opinions mean more to a lot of freshman girls than meeting the sorority women for themselves.
Another thing to consider: First-term freshman are looking for a place to belong, especially in those early weeks. They're also more open to trying new groups/things to do. By the spring, they have friends, cliques, clubs, etc. and they may see Greek life as one more thing to burden their time rather than an asset to building good character.