A retro midwest recruitment

[oldrusheenowmom]

My next clear memory is sprinting to houses after lunch one day because the computer had messed up, but we couldn’t be late to a party. For Iowa Staters, I sprinted from the Memorial Union to the Red house- a house on the south side of sorority circle. I remember the cute Pink Panther and trench coat opening at the Navy house—and unfortunately, I remember not clicking with the girl who rushed me at the party—the pom girl came in (probably some kind of signal that I didn't learn about until I was on the other side of rush) but I think it was too late. (A little side bar: I truly enjoyed rush; however, as I said earlier, I was home sick for my boyfriend and not sure that I wanted to join- I probably talked about him too much—in addition, my sister was not only Teal- but during this time she was the rush chair for Teal at the University of Iowa; she tried to support me, but at the same time, she was- shall I say, a little stressed).

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by oldrusheenowmom

For Iowa Staters, I sprinted from the Memorial Union to the Red house- a house on the south side of sorority circle.

As much as I love our Greekland, I hated how spread apart everything was during Rush!

[oldrusheenowmom]

Notice- I'm for speed; otherwise, my old age will kick in again-- (I did wish that I had at least a napkin reminder from all 16 houses)-- And- a late memory- I remember as the parties narrowed, we received themed name tags and each house and could not take them with us- I think one girl accidentally walked out with one and it was a big ta-do--
When we received invites for preferences, I had to cut from four to two. At this point in my “in love eighteen year old mind,” I made my choices based on the fact that I was going to get married and transfer schools, so I would make other people happy. I went to the two home town connection houses. I remember flowers, tears, hugs, and candles—and, of course, home town girls were paired with me. I believe yellow was in long black and Teal was in long matching blue. My friend, Karen, also had the same choices- she went with me to the first preference and then went to Fuchsia (who I cut) for the second. I did not have a “I know the house I want” feeling following preference- I even toyed with not listing a house and seeing if I would receive a snap bid. I was the last one in my rush group to turn in my card.

[susan314]

Originally Posted by oldrusheenowmom

I did not have a “I know the house I want” feeling following preference

Do you think that might have come from the fact that you were choosing chapters during rush to please other people's preferences rather than going with your own gut instincts all along?

(I know that some PNMs never get that definite "feeling," but I'd imagine that in your circumstance it made it even less likely.)

[OldAOPi]

Glad to see a midwestern thread! My sister went to Drake, my dd is at UNL and I was at Kearney State - now University Nebraska Kearney. My mom always wanted someone to go to Iowa State - not sure why she was obsessed about that but no one did. Not even her!

[oldrusheenowmom]

I totally agree that my attitude had much to do with my lack of a connection-

The houses at Iowa State in 1983:
Alpha Phi
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Zeta
Delta Delta Delta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Delta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Kappa
Zeta Tau Alpha

[oldrusheenowmom]

Because I'm not a big one for waiting--

Bid Day-- I received a bid to my first choice, Teal. Our rush counselor revealed that she was an Orange- and we headed to the union to meet our sisters to run back to the house- Unfortunately, I knew NONE of the other girls who joined Teal. I had my first circle dance, was welcomed by several of the actives, received a great blue and gold bid day shirt, was serendaded by my sister’s Iowa State TKE boyfriend as part of my first serenade, and (remember 1983) was taken by my big sis to the bid night parties- where all the pledges were in their new tees-- My sister, of course, sent me great welcome gifts, including my first pink rose bowl (the craze in the 80’s).

Still, I had missed the advice about look at who is going back to the houses where you are going. Teal had a poor rush that year, and I believe was the beginning of a downhill slide for the house. I want to add that my sister and one of her sisters had to come to Iowa State to do some “intense rushing” because two of us blood little sisters were dissatisfied with Teal- and, unfortunately, it wasn’t our actives, but our pledge sisters. I truly love the Teal sisters that I became close with over my two years in the house (I did get married and transfer). I loved joining several Teals from different universities as we serenaded my sister’s husband at her wedding-- My advice-- As my sister said she had her rush group when she was a rush counselor guess which house she was in after each party day- After they placed her in all of the houses on campus, several times- she told them that each house a unique make up of several different women—and to be open minded-

(side bar)—Teal, yellow, and purple are no longer at Iowa State. Never did I hear anything negative about Gray- and they have a beautiful house--; Karen went fushcia- Most of my college friends were all in different sororites at Iowa State-- And, I think it is sad that the house tours have moved on party days- If a pnm is cut, she doesn’t have a chance to see a great history and tradition of the Greek system.

[Buttonz]

Are you an active alumnae for Teal now?

Do you think you would have had a better Greek life if you went by what you felt rather then others?

[ISUKappa]

Would you mind revealing who was who? I figured out a few.

I think they moved house tours strictly for timing reasons. Even with only 13 NPC organizations on campus, it's still a daunting rush. While I did miss not being able to tour all the chapter houses, from having friends in various chapters and being on CPC, I eventually got to see them all.

[LOVEinZTA]

Wait, what chapter was which? So confused...