Stop the "Baby" Talk

[adpiucf]

I doubt we're going back to the terms "pledge" and "rush." I think "recruitment" more adequately expresses what is occuring than "rush" if you don't have any conception of Greek Life before college. That's a big reason I didn't "rush" until sophomore year. And yes, I was a "rushee" and was sad when we could no longer use that term in our door songs.

What is a uniform name for a new member other than new member or pledge? First Years?

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I doubt we're going back to the terms "pledge" and "rush." I think "recruitment" more adequately expresses what is occuring than "rush" if you don't have any conception of Greek Life before college. That's a big reason I didn't "rush" until sophomore year. And yes, I was a "rushee" and was sad when we could no longer use that term in our door songs.

I disagree. I think any process in which you choose sisters for life in 4-5 days, and having met 10-12 women for a total of less than 5 hours, is certainly rushing things.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by DGTess

I think any process in which you choose sisters for life in 4-5 days, and having met 10-12 women for a total of less than 5 hours, is certainly rushing things.

"Rush" supposedly got its name because university students used to rush down to meet the trains which brought the new students to campus. Some sororities/fraternities would arrive at the station in a town up the track in order to give a pledge pin to the most desired men/women! Imagine that.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I doubt we're going back to the terms "pledge" and "rush." I think "recruitment" more adequately expresses what is occuring than "rush" if you don't have any conception of Greek Life before college. That's a big reason I didn't "rush" until sophomore year.

Recruitment = actively seeking people who will meet specific criteria you are looking for (whether they had any interest in your organization at all) and persuading them to join your organization. NOT inviting everyone who pays a fee to Panhellenic and meets a GPA requirement to check you out.

Originally Posted by adpiucf

What is a uniform name for a new member other than new member or pledge? First Years?

Um, wow, no, that would be even more offensive than "baby" since it assumes you only pledge as a freshman. (Freshmen are referred to as "first years" at many schools) And since you already said you were a sophomore when you joined...

When we truly have "recruitment" and "new members" (i.e. women are initiated right away) I'll start using those terms...until then, as I said, they don't make any sense. I'm sure that there are people out there who are psycho about not calling someone a "pledge" (kind of what DGTess is talking about) but I tend to love to pull those kind of people's chains anyway.

[Football Fan]

The pansy, pearl and pine are all symbols in Delta Delta Delta. The explanation of these is public and included on many chapter websites.

New members are sometimes called pearls. The pearl in Tri Delta symbolizes the new member. The pearl grows and becomes a cherished jewel of great value and beauty.

[ASTalumna06]

I attended school after the new terms were adopted. However, on my campus, it seems there was always a mix of terms - in "formal" settings, it was recruitment and new members.. but "informal" settings it was sometimes rush and pledges.

Events were advertised as "recruitment," but girls would say they were "rushing". I even had a couple t-shirts that said "Rush AST" on them.

My nickname actually contains the word "pledge". And I just want to point out that I've never told someone that I'm "new membering a sorority".. it's pledging. I've always considered it such, and I wouldn't bat an eye if someone said that to me today.

I don't mind the word "recruitment" as much as I do "new member". Recruitment makes sense. New member doesn't.

And don't even get me started on the whole "baby" thing...