Rush - What to NOT do or say

[varsitybluette]

A lot of people here have said don't mention drinking. Is it still all right to ask in passing if the chapter is dry? I'll be going through round 2 of recruitment later this week and one of the sororities I was interested in are apparently dry and I just wanted to make sure. It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know? I wouldn't go on about it, but asking is still ok ... right?

Originally Posted by varsitybluette

A lot of people here have said don't mention drinking. Is it still all right to ask in passing if the chapter is dry? I'll be going through round 2 of recruitment later this week and one of the sororities I was interested in are apparently dry and I just wanted to make sure. It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know? I wouldn't go on about it, but asking is still ok ... right?

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=89

Old thread, but it still has relevant info.

[agzg]

They're apparently dry - how?

All the chapters are (or should be) dry during recruitment. Just like we say to PNMs don't mention drinking, the chapters are being told not to mention drinking.

Plus all NPC sororities are *supposed* to be dry all the time. As in, they don't have alcohol in their house.

If they're serious about being dry ALL the time, I would think they would mention it.

[varsitybluette]

See, I'm not sure, which is why I want to clarify with them. I wasn't the one they told it to, another girl who was in my group came up to the rest of us after we left the house and said that she asked about the social activities and all that and apparently they said they "pride themselves on being dry." I don't remember verbatim, but there might have been an "only" thrown in there as well. But yeah, I'm not entirely certain so ... it would just be nice to clarify, you know?

But you're probably right, they would have mentioned it if it was some adamant thing to them ... I just wasn't sure if it would be too bold to ask. lol

[33girl]

Originally Posted by varsitybluette

See, I'm not sure, which is why I want to clarify with them. I wasn't the one they told it to, another girl who was in my group came up to the rest of us after we left the house and said that she asked about the social activities and all that and apparently they said they "pride themselves on being dry." I don't remember verbatim, but there might have been an "only" thrown in there as well. But yeah, I'm not entirely certain so ... it would just be nice to clarify, you know?

But you're probably right, they would have mentioned it if it was some adamant thing to them ... I just wasn't sure if it would be too bold to ask. lol

This is why I hate the term "dry" - it's confusing to non-Greeks.

No NPC sororities are permitted to have alcohol in their housing. No alcohol is permitted during recruitment.

However, at social events like mixers and formals, alcohol can be served to of-age members if the event is held at an appropriate venue and alcohol is served by a third party vendor.

Originally Posted by Zillini

Is an alcohol policy so important that it would change your opinion regarding a org?

Yes. If there is a chapter who doesn't allow its members - even those of age - to drink AT ALL, I would run in the other direction. Unless that's what you want, of course.

Hope that helped.

[varsitybluette]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This is why I hate the term "dry" - it's confusing to non-Greeks.

No NPC sororities are permitted to have alcohol in their housing. No alcohol is permitted during recruitment.

However, at social events like mixers and formals, alcohol can be served to of-age members if the event is held at an appropriate venue and alcohol is served by a third party vendor.

Hope that helped.

Thanks! It did

[Zillini]

Is an alcohol policy so important that it would change your opinion regarding a org?

If you must know then find out some other way. Asking during Recruitment can come across as either 1) you're a teetotaller who looks down on those who drink or 2) you're a party animal who is only looking for drinking buddies, not sisterhood.

[varsitybluette]

Originally Posted by Zillini

Is an alcohol policy so important that it would change your opinion regarding a org?

If you must know then find out some other way. Asking during Recruitment can come across as either 1) you're a teetotaller who looks down on those who drink or 2) you're a party animal who is only looking for drinking buddies, not sisterhood.

I said in my first post:
"It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know?"

It's not like it's the deciding factor for me, but if they are completely dry, it's something to consider in the whole thing, you know? I'm not either a teetotaller or a party animal ... I just want as much information as I can get so I know what I'm getting myself into. But like I said, it doesn't really matter to me. So we'll see at Round 2, I guess

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by varsitybluette

I said in my first post:
"It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know?"

It's not like it's the deciding factor for me, but if they are completely dry, it's something to consider in the whole thing, you know? I'm not either a teetotaller or a party animal ... I just want as much information as I can get so I know what I'm getting myself into. But like I said, it doesn't really matter to me. So we'll see at Round 2, I guess

I would tread lightly on the topic of alcohol. Someone above gave the general NPC rules regarding alcohol and that sounds pretty much the information that you were relayed through a game of telephone with another PNM. Personally, when girls came through recruitment and asked me anything about drinking it immediately raised a red flag. You don't want to burn bridges over something you're just curious about.

If anything, ask your rush counselor what it means since other PNMs were talking about it. I'm sure she's pretty knowledgeable about all the chapters and you avoid looking like you have alcohol "issues" during round 2.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

If anything, ask your rush counselor what it means since other PNMs were talking about it. I'm sure she's pretty knowledgeable about all the chapters and you avoid looking like you have alcohol "issues" during round 2.

Good idea. It would also be of a help to the chapter, because if they have a sister spouting off about how they're "proud to be dry" (and that's not really the case) it could hurt their rush.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

If anything, ask your rush counselor what it means since other PNMs were talking about it. I'm sure she's pretty knowledgeable about all the chapters and you avoid looking like you have alcohol "issues" during round 2.

I'm down with that advice.

[varsitybluette]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

If anything, ask your rush counselor what it means since other PNMs were talking about it. I'm sure she's pretty knowledgeable about all the chapters and you avoid looking like you have alcohol "issues" during round 2.

Oh good plan. I hadn't even thought of that - thanks! That helps a lot

[QCGreek]

So, I thought I'd add a few stories from our Formal Recruitment that just ended last week. These are perfect examples of what NOT to do during Recruitment.

#1) PNM approaches four women from two different GLOs outside the cafeteria 7 days before the beginning of Recruitment. She starts off with "OMG I looove your shirts!!" to org ABC, then turns to the member of DEF (who is not wearing letters - FYI) and says "OMG you're a member of DEF, right? My cousin's totally probably maybe going to be a DEF at _____ University this fall. I like, love you guys. Srsly." Because the member of DEF is square on her rules (and I'm Recruitment Chair for CPH and was sitting there haha), she begins to talk about the other two sororities on campus...before being cut off again. She hands the PNM a flyer, says she's looking forward to seeing her at the informational and turns away. The PNM then says "OMG I guess I might go see what this sorority stuff is about and all since like...my dad just gambled away all of our money and now I'm poor like the rest of you at this school. That's why I transferred. We don't have enough money for private school anymore. Oh my GOD I love your shoes! I have some just like it except I'm not going to be able to wear them anymore because I think if I sell them I'll be able to get some money. Ew I'm going to have to start shopping at like...normal stores. Anyway I guess I'll give you guys a shot since I have to stop being a bitch because I'm poor now."

Seriously. Just like that. Without a word from any of us. Members from ABC immediately called their Recruitment chair, as well as members from the third sorority on campus who were not there. The DEF member went straight to her sisters and pointed the girl out. Basically, she was blackballed. We were sure to keep an open mind when she showed up for the first two nights of Recruitment, but she didn't really redeem herself. We felt badly for her situation, but that wasn't enough to have any of the organizations see through her materialistic issues.

#2) PNM goes into ABC's room (we don't have houses - we hold our events in the Student Union on campus) and declares almost immediately that she heard ABC's chapter doesn't have any money so they're going to get shut down, so she doesn't want to join. ABC's chapter isn't going to get shut down, and they have no (and have never had any) financial problems. Needless to say the word wasn't spread far and wide - she got a bid from someone else but ABC's just glad not to deal with her.

Actives, don't spread rumors about the other chapters. Also, don't get your boyfriends to tell their friends to spread the rumors because you think it won't get back to you. It does.

#3) We take a quick photo to be added to their questionnaires when the women come through Recruitment. Two women, out of the entire group of PNMs, openly declared they would not be taking photos because they did not put makeup on that morning. That was fine, we do not force the photos to be taken...but then they went to ABCs room, were completely rude, did not talk to a single person, took photos of the room and complained that they weren't allowed to leave the room. The women went to XYZ's room next, and did the same thing. Rolled their eyes and acted awfully. Finally, they got to DEF. The org. they really wanted. They were perfect angels. Luckily, DEF's Panhell was the Recruitment Guide for that group. She made sure to tell her sisters how awful those two girls were, and they did not receive bids from anyone.

That was just to reiterate the post that girls do talk. And if you put down one house or act completely awful outside of the house you want? If there's any justice in the world, they'll find out.

Keep an open mind and don't listen to rumors. They're usually lies.

[agzg]

I would think it would have made a difference in my opinion on an organization.

I would also think that if the chapter didn't set limits on alcohol consumption, including keeping a keg in the basement of the house or whatever, and are generally drunks - that might affect my decision, too.

[mahdian]

i have a serious interest in politics and the political world- is it okay to mention that many great politicians-mostly women of course!- have been a part of the greek system, and thats ONE reason why i want to be greek (of course worded better)? i would never mention any party affiliation, or discuss any political issue.