Rush, Race, Sororities

[Seminole Pike]

OK, I'll ask the question. If the goal is to integrate college sororities, why do the black and white sororities have separate rushes? If all the young women went through rush together, at the same time, and saw all the houses, together, would that not solve the "problem"? Yes, every greek house has the right to choose their own members. Do the sororities get to see any non-white candidates as rush is structured now? Are any white women given the opportunity to see the unique features of black sororities? When the Alpha Gams got hammered last year at Georgia because a black candidate was not given a bid, the sorority's lawyer shut down the University's sanctimony very quickly. He simply asked if it was true that the university itself held two separate rushes, one for blacks and one for whites. The answer was yes. The universities should not try to tell any sorority who to bid. For the record, I do not care whether sororities integrate or not; I want them to have the members they want. My chapter has several black members, but that's no one's business but ours. Fraternities have a different rush structure.

[LatinaAlumna]

Campuses hold recruitment efforts for those who are interested in Panhellenic sororities, and recruitment for women who are interested in other types of sororities. Sometimes these recruitment efforts occur at the same time, sometimes not. It is up to the INDIVIDUAL to attend the functions of the sorority she is interested in, regardless of her background.

[SH80]

[Sniff, sniff] Do I smell segregation?
Pike, I've always wondered the same thing.
For some reason WGLO's, BGLO's, serviceGLO's, religiousGLO's, etc. do not want to work together.

[SoTrue1920]

Seeing as how NPHC collegiate sororities and fraternities only take members as sophomores-seniors, it wouldn't make sense to hold rush with NPC/NIC organizations. However, on some campuses, 'mixed rushes' are taking place. I can't speak for their success, but changes are being made.

Originally posted by Seminole Pike:
OK, I'll ask the question. If the goal is to integrate college sororities, why do the black and white sororities have separate rushes? If all the young women went through rush together, at the same time, and saw all the houses, together, would that not solve the "problem"? Yes, every greek house has the right to choose their own members. Do the sororities get to see any non-white candidates as rush is structured now? Are any white women given the opportunity to see the unique features of black sororities? When the Alpha Gams got hammered last year at Georgia because a black candidate was not given a bid, the sorority's lawyer shut down the University's sanctimony very quickly. He simply asked if it was true that the university itself held two separate rushes, one for blacks and one for whites. The answer was yes. The universities should not try to tell any sorority who to bid. For the record, I do not care whether sororities integrate or not; I want them to have the members they want. My chapter has several black members, but that's no one's business but ours. Fraternities have a different rush structure.

[mccoyred]

AS STATED AD NAUSEUM, GLOS (NPC/IFC) AND BGLOS (NPHC) ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT!! One of the biggest differences in the way rush is conducted. Another difference is the attitude of prospectives when selecting an organization with whom to affiliate.

Maybe there are other ways to familiarize students of all races with the various types of orgs but holding rushes/recruitment events together is not the answer!

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[33girl]

Originally posted by SH80:
For some reason WGLO's, BGLO's, serviceGLO's, religiousGLO's, etc. do not want to work together.

Uhhh, no. A Phi O on my campus always assisted with the bloodmobile along with a "social" sorority and there was never any problem. And I know some of the DZ's on here have mentioned having "pink and green" joint projects with AKA.

I definitely think that rushing for NPC/NIC/NPHC should take place at the same time. If this argument can be used to make NPC see the merits of deferred rush, I'm all for it....bravo to NPHC for always having this policy to begin with. I absolutely fail to see the point of giving someone a bid when you don't even know if they can cut it academically in college. That's what you're there for.

[HeidiHo]

This is my observation, please correct me if I'm wrong-
BGLOs want someone to be deeply interested in a single group before "rushing". It's up to the person to learn about each group.
WGLOs want you to see every group the same amount & in detail, and have you narrow down you choices during "rush"

Assuming I'm on track, how could those opposite ideals be combined? Recruitment for both orgs are based on very different principles. I'm all for combo recruitment, but I don't see it working well.
Heidi
PS- don't flame me if I'm wrong, these are just my perceptions based on GC

[SilverTurtle]

NPHC rush (is that even what it's called?) and any other GLO rush are polar opposites. And both have their strong points and some weak points.

I do think it would be a good idea to have some sort of general info session for all of the GLOs every fall. And I mean very generic..

like "This is what the NPHC sororities are...They do these kinds of community service....If you are interested in them, you need to seek information by doing research, talking with members...."

"These are our NPC and/or local (or other) sororities....If you are interested in one of these organizations, you will need to sign up for Rush..."

Share some fundamental differences in the two types. I think it would just make all of the prospective members aware of all their choices.

And this is sort of off-topic, but

SoTrue1920 posted:
Seeing as how NPHC collegiate sororities and fraternities only take members as sophomores-seniors, it wouldn't make sense to hold rush with NPC/NIC organizations.

I am almost positive that one of the freshman girls on my residence hall my 1st year joined an NPHC sorority. (And I do mean joined in the sense that she went through her process and was initiated). Is the sophomore-senior a strictly enforced thing with all NPHC orgs?

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SilverTurtle

Phi Beta Fraternity: National Professional Association for the Creative & Performing Arts

[This message has been edited by SilverTurtle (edited June 09, 2001).]

[SweetestDiva]

Originally posted by SilverTurtle:
I am almost positive that one of the freshman girls on my residence hall my 1st year joined an NPHC sorority. (And I do mean joined in the sense that she went through her process and was initiated). Is the sophomore-senior a strictly enforced thing with all NPHC orgs?

You're probably right. Most of the time it just requires a specific number of semester hours. If you fulfill the requirements as a 2nd semester freshmen, then that's possible.

[sigmagrrl]

Originally posted by SilverTurtle:
NPHC rush (is that even what it's called?)

I believe their recruitment process is called "intake"...Am I correct?

At my school you can rush NPHC as a freshman second semester as long as you have over a 2.5. And people are right about the NPC/IFC and NPHC having different kinds of rushes. Efen though we do hold are at the same time of year/ NPHC rush is more like a business interview while NPC/IFc is more like a get-together.

Also, as an Alpha Gam I would just like to say that ONE girl at UGA said she didnt want her in because she was black. That sorority has had many minorities including blacks i beleive. So one girl's ignorance ruined rush for the chapter.

[SilverTurtle]

Originally posted by SweetestDiva:
You're probably right. Most of the time it just requires a specific number of semester hours. If you fulfill the requirements as a 2nd semester freshmen, then that's possible.

Thanks for the info.. it was 2cnd semester, so that would make sense.

The main reason I remember is because she was the first person I knew personally who belonged to a BGLO (or at least that I knew belonged to one), and it was kind of like my introduction into these 9 organizations I had barely heard of.



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SilverTurtle

Phi Beta Fraternity: National Professional Association for the Creative & Performing Arts

[mccoyred]

NPHC orgs do not recruit! Prospectives seek us; we do not seek them.

Originally posted by sigmagrrl:
I believe their recruitment process is called "intake"...Am I correct?

HeidiHo, yes you are on the right track!

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MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[SH80]

And....you'll never guess what a NPC sorority girl told me once!

Me: Hi, I'm interested in rushing for a sorority.

DZ:Yeah, you should join one! I think they are some minority sororities. You ought to check into one.

[AlphaChiGirl]

I learned that a lot of people think that it is very easy for a black female to "just join" an NPHC group. I was having dinner with some friends. One is in a coed literary society, and the rest just became familiar with Greek life since arriving at college. We started discussing NPHC groups, and they were like, "you mean, black females aren't guaranteed admission?". I thought it was funny indeed.