Part II of the discussion on Enna's thread, discussing Rush in general

[aephi alum]

I don't think deferred rush/recruitment is such a hot idea. My alma mater is going to deferred rush (February) for the first time this year, and I'm afraid that numbers are going to drop dramatically, and that my chapter, already much smaller than the others on campus, might close.

The fraternities at my school are also going to a slightly-deferred rush - September instead of August - and the administration has as much as said that they expect some of the smaller fraternities to close as a result.

With deferred rush, PNMs have spent at least one semester in school (and started to feel the associated pressure), made some friends, perhaps gotten involved in some clubs/sports/activities and/or gotten a job, and they may feel (rightly or wrongly) that they don't have time to devote to a sorority - so they don't even come out for rush, whereas they might have if rush weren't deferred.

Another argument for non-deferred rush is that new members will have the support of their sisters as they make the transition from high school to college. It's not an easy transition, and I can't begin to tell you how supportive my sisters were of me during my first semester.

[carnation]

Originally posted by Cream




I tried to respond to this, but it was lost in cyberspace.

My question is how can panhel and individual, smaller sororities combat this single-minded (close minded) attitude that many of the PNMs have?
.

I am beginning to think that in the South, it's impossible.

[justamom]

It's imperative to distinguish between competative rush and a less crazy situation. Yet all in all, I think it boils down to US as represented by GC.
Our own parents did or did not encourage us.
Told us we were legacies.
Said things like ABC really stunk at my school or XYZ is THE best.
There are issues with PANHELLENIC ALUM ASSOC. (This CAN'T be the ONLY place)
Then consider the Greek system on any and every campus and the competition for survival. When one GLO knocks down another PUBLICLY, it weakens the ENTIRE system!
We may not like it, but every day of our lives we are judged and put into some cubbyhole. Why would it be any differet for a sorority or a PNM? Diversity is the only way to avoid being pegged. I acknowledge some GLOs revel in their lack of diversity. For others, it does damage. The basic point is to get young people interested in the system. We MUST offer them something they won't find anywhere else. THAT'S HARD TO DO! This is why I too am against deferred rush...too many obstacles get in the way

Until we get rid of labels-and my current gripe DIRTY RUSH, we will never see a change. How many posts have I read where even individual CHAPTERS of a GLOs act like they are superior to another?
Sing your songs and chant your chants with that competative spirit and chapter pride, but for ONE WEEK OUT OF THE FRICKIN" YEAR, SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD!
(I honestly don't know if this made sense to anyone but me-TOM?)