academic conflicts during rush

[nycgirly12]

Hey girls!

Do you have any advice in regards to academic conflicts during recruitment? I might not be able to attend a couple of parties because of a class conflict. What should I do? Can I make them up the next day? Please help!

[tld221]

your academics are always first, but you also have to judge your campus culture. also, take note of the houses that are flexible and those who arent.

while its still early in the school year (when rush happens, im boldly assuming NPC here), you will have to judge whether its worth it to miss the first couple classes for rush. sure you can get notes from someone, but i like to be there 100% in the beginning.

[nycgirly12]

tld221- Thank you, I feel the same way in regards to going to class. However, I'm just concerned that I might not have the chance to meet ALL of the sororities...thus those houses are out of the question. = /

I just hope I can find a way to make up those parties the next day! Thank you for your help/

[basket96]

We have the same problem, recruitment occurs DURING school. You need to let your Panhellenic Adviser as well as recruitment counselor (Rho Chi, Rho Gamma, etc.) know that you have school. Some houses will likely invite you to the next round as long as they know in advance that you have a conflict, others may not. It really depends on your school culture. At our school a PNM who has a class conflict will have a shortened schedule (instead of 8 30 minute parties, she will attend 8 parties but for only 15 minutes each so she can still attend all chapters AND her class) -- this is only an example,but this situation does occur.

I'd be inclined to ask the professors if you can miss that particular class and make up the work later. It's not that school is not important, it is the MOST important reason you are there, but think of being a sorority woman and making a decision on a PNM who was not there vs. one who was there.

Good luck!

[nycgirly12]

basket96- Thank you! I will let the Panhellenic office know as soon as possible about my class conflict. Thanks again!

[Katmandu]

I have heard people say that for some schools, missing class for recruitment gets you dropped from recruitment. I don't know if that is true, but you will want to check and double check with the Greek life office before you decide to skip class for a recruitment party. Good luck with everything!

[bevinpiphi]

I missed a whole night of recruitment at my school (not because of class, but I got immensely sick, couldn't speak, and was told not to go near people for 24 hours. I'm crazy, and still went through recruitment). I called my Recruitment Counselor, who told me to write a letter about myself to the houses I would be missing that night (it was opening round). I made 6 copies for the night, and she swung by my dorm to pick up the letters. She also brought me a care package with apple sauce, chicken soup, and cough drops (sweetest thing ever). I was invited back to three of the houses from that night, and the other three I had on my drop list. One of the houses was Pi Phi, which I'm in now. Oh, and the RC? She was a Pi Phi too, and ended up being my big sister.
If your school isn't super competitive, don't fret it.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by basket96

I'd be inclined to ask the professors if you can miss that particular class and make up the work later. It's not that school is not important, it is the MOST important reason you are there, but think of being a sorority woman and making a decision on a PNM who was not there vs. one who was there.

Good luck!

I disagree with this. I dont know if telling your professor that you are skipping their class for rush is going to be a great look. It can reflect a lot more than you want it to on your character and worse, your grade in that class.

Best case scenario, your professor is pro-greek (or greek themselves) or just understands your campus culture.

[nycgirly12]

okay thanks guys for all of the advice!

[epchick]

It also depends on when recruitment is. If its the first, even second week of school, I would be more inclined to say miss class vs missing a day of recruitment.

But either way tell your Rho Chi (or whatever you call 'em) about class, they'll know what the proper procedure is.

[nycgirly12]

.

[gee_ess]

Is recruitment scheduled during the academic day or in the evening?

[nycgirly12]

It starts sometime in the afternoon and continues until the evening. And some classes are still in session during that time.

[Zillini]

If a PNM has to miss parties due to class, odds are some actives will too. One would hope chapters would be understanding, but there are no guarantees. It depends on the campus and on the particular chapter. As others have said, talk to the Greek Life office and to the Recruitment Counselor before making a decision.

Asking a professor and/or TA for permission to miss class for Recruitment is a crap shoot. Those who are pro-Greek will be understanding, even if they end up saying "No". Those who are anti-Greek will not only say "No" but might also hold it against you for daring to ask. "Obviously you are only interested in partying and not getting an education. You are wasting my valuable teaching time even taking my class." (I've heard some nasty stories over the years.)

[Kansas City]

Although this conflict may be new to you, it is nothing new to the Greek system at your school. I would bet that you will not be the only PNM to have a class that conflicts with recruitment parties and as other have said, there will be sorority members that will also have to make the decision to attend recruitment parties or class. You already know that you're in college for academics but I'd find a friend to take class notes if skipping for a night is an option. If you cannot skip for one night (test, assignment, etc.) your Greek Life office probably has a plan in place to accommodate the situation. I personally would not ask permission from my professor as your honesty may backfire later in the semester if they are anti-Greek. You need to ask your rush counselor about the established policy and let them assist you in making the decision to skip or not. Also keep in mind that you will have to make numerous decisions just like this for the rest of your academic career.