[GreekGuide]

Let me say this is just a comment/observation...not a judgement or opinion.

When I was an undergrad, the head rho chi at the time was a member of my chapter. Several of us were discussing rush experiences and she told us that right after rush she had to counsel a rushee because...

SDT, the traditionally Jewish sorority on campus made no references to religion during rush and this rushee really liked the chapter and really like the women and ended up accepting a bid from the women.

The rushee, who is devote Christian, was really happy until the first week of class when they had their pledging ceremony and the ritual was based on the Jewish faith. The rushee became terribly upset and it was then that she found out that 95% of the women in the chapter are of the Jewish faith. She went to the Greek Life office and talked to people there, her mother got involved and was upset that the sorority did not reveal their religious affiliation....after couseling, the girl stayed on with the house for another month, but eventually dropped out.

In discussing this with my sorority sisters, we came to a consensus, that most people who go through rush already know that this house is Jewish, that one Lutheran, that one Catholic, etc... This knowledge comes from the fact that most students live in-state and the Greek Community is tight. But, if you come from out of state and don't know many people...you may not know that. In an effort to build Greek Unity, your Rho Chi is not going to tell you that SDT is the Jewish house.

Now, SDT is a great group of girls. I got to know many because I used to date a ZBT. But, yes, most are Jewish, most are from out of state. Many went to High School together in North Shore Chicago, Minneapolis, Alabama, Texas. They are a tight knit group. Now, some would say they are a weak house because they are not large in numbers, they don't participate in a lot of Greek Events because of their size, they kind of stick to themselves and the ZBTS/AEPis. But, I think they are strong because they continue to have a solid numbers because as Rudey referred to, they tap into the Jewish Community and heaviliy associate with Hillel - that community is not going to disappear.

I agree...people go where they feel comfortable. But, I have to admit that when I went through rush I cut that house because of the religious affiliation. I think I would have cut other houses if I knew it had strong religious overtones because religion is not why I joined. My sister, who is Jewish was in on the conversation, and she said she cut SDT because she wanted to be in a house that was more diverse and was more active on campus.

So, the question is.....is the rushee wrong for judging the house. She loved the girls and the house when she went through rush, and it was only after she found out many are Jewish that she decided to drop. The answer is probably yes because she is wrong for discounting people based soley on their religion, but she is probably right for leaving something that makes her feel uncomfortable. You want to be around people you can relate to. Growing up Jewish is very different than say growing up Catholic. Or, growing up rich versus poor, black versus white, west coast versus east coast or midwest, etc,etc, etc.....

But, is it Greek Life's responsibility or SDT's or the Rho Chis to communicate things like religious affiliation or other nuances like that chapter has a large percentage of athletes, that chapter stresses academics, that chapter is into volunteerism....Where do you draw the line??? When it seems ok to say during rush, "Oh, our house is really into athletics. We love sports!" BUT, not ok to say, "Our house is mostly comprised of Jewish women."

Again, I agree that people go where they feel comfortable, but if something that would bother you is not revealed during rush what are you to do. And because of PHC rules, she can't accept a bid from another house for one calendar year.

I don't know....it's hard. I'm not sure how it works for fraternities, but with sorority rush, we try to take pain-staking steps not to make anyone uncomfortable by being politically incorrect.

Thoughts anyone?? As a future Greek Life advisor, I'd really like to get your opinions on dealing with this issue. Not just religion, but with ag, engineering, LesBiGay, etc....house labels - it's a tough one.