Univ of Texas at Austin Rush Story fall 2009

[TXAPhiGirl]

Originally Posted by srmom

You know, the thing about UT is that in reality, the campus is REALLY liberal - the city theme is "Keep Austin Weird", so while Greek life is a big deal for those who want to be a part of it, it is a pretty small deal for the rest of the students on campus.

Then, you factor in the effect that the top 10% rule has had on the make up of the student body - back in my day, there were "feeder schools" that sent hundreds of kids to UT every year, and they were the type of kids that were likely to be part of the Greek system. Now, many of those types of kids just aren't going to UT. The opening post mentioned Memorial and Stratford - where 15 years ago, 25% of the graduating classes of those schools might be headed to UT, now it's closer to 10%, and some of those kids just aren't interested in Greek life at all!

At Stratford (which jokingly in the past has been called Fratford), most kids who are interested in Greek life are going to A&M, either because they couldn't get into UT or because most of their friends are going to be aggies. My son, who was a rush captain this year, couldn't believe how few guys were coming to UT - when he graduated, around 8 guys pledged fraternities out of probably 25 guys who went to UT. This year, he knows of 2 guys who pledged - that's it! Compare that to over 20 guys who are pledging at A&M from the highschool.

I think it's great that A&M is finally growing in the Greek system. When my husband was there, he told me how small the system was, and how overlooked it was, because the main focus of the school is so much about the traditions of the Core. While that might be a silly arguement now (as generations change), I do agree UT's admission standards are ridiculous. However, I think that A&M also does cater to a specific type of student and, maybe half of those students are what you would consider a typical candidate for rush. UT has always been known, in this state, for being diverse, while A&M primary has a conservative, anglo student. I think that is why I went through rush at Texas, is because I was attempting to find people similiar to myself and background in a large, melting pot of a school It will be interesting to watch the shift over the next 10 years and see if the Greek system in Aggieland starts to rival the sytem of Texas.

As far as fraternities, I think it's so different because, unlike the ladies who go through a one time formal recruitment process, guys can pledge each semester. Where being a sophomore can hurt you in a sorority, fraternities don't care. I'd be interested to see at Texas, what percentage of guys come back around a semester later, or even the next year, when they get to meet the guys in these chapters.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by TXAPhiGirl

I think it's great that A&M is finally growing in the Greek system. When my husband was there, he told me how small the system was, and how overlooked it was, because the main focus of the school is so much about the traditions of the Corps.

Fixed it for ya! It's Corps of Cadets.

[TXAPhiGirl]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

Fixed it for ya! It's Corps of Cadets.

Thank you! Can you tell I didn't major in spelling.

I also want to say props to you kids down there in Aggieland. It's nice to see your girls sporting some cute gear for football games. My husband used to think I was a fool to get dressed up to stand outside, but now that the girls are doing it down there, I'm finally like, "See...huh....yeah! It's not just me." So, thank you, sorority girls of A&M, for making an old chick feel young again.