what did you not like about rushing? - Page 4

KillarneyRose · #46 05-06-2003, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by curlygirly
I even remember one of my Pi Chis saying to another of the Pi Chis that if girls were dropped from their "top" houses during rush, they probably wouldn't get picked for DZ.

Are you serious, CG??? That seriously ticks me off. Did the stupid bimbo think Panhel gave the DZ colonization team a list of who was cut by the "top" sororities so they'd know not to bid them???

UF56 · #47 05-06-2003, 08:51 PM

Not only did our Pi Chis say that but they were very against anyone dropping out for DZ. They tried to talk me out of it....but they were constantly telling everyone only use DZ as a last option....stay in Recruitment...blah blah blah...its funny another girl I know who dropped out after second round for DZ is one of my sisters.

trisigmaAtl · #48 05-30-2003, 04:15 PM

I didn't (and still don't) like the rivalry that flares up between chapters. we're a small school so EVERYTHING gets around, I don't feel like it's as bad with my pledge class or the one above it, but there are a few upperclassmen girls in two of the chapters (mine included) who always like to point the dirty rushing finger or talk bad about the other sorority or make up stories that just aren't true!!!! I don't feel this rivalry and I know that there are members of the other chapter who don't either, but somehow it always get stirred up and creates a tension that has to be hidden from the pnms. I'm hoping that this fall won't be this way, I know that my chapter has made an active choice not to say anything negative about the other chapters so hopefully things will be better. It's just the one part of the fall that I am NOT looking forward to!

Kevin · #49 05-30-2003, 04:17 PM

Never rushed... joined a colony instead.

valkyrie · #50 05-30-2003, 09:08 PM

LOL, there were many things that I didn't like about rush! I'm just not one for all that, I don't know, stuff.

At one house, there were 2 sisters for every PNM. I thought this was AWFUL because it ended up being the 2 sisters talking to each other the whole time like I wasn't there. Ho hum...

I also hated all the singing and clapping. Seriously, what does that have to do with whether or not I want to be a member of your organization?! I don't particularly like singing or doing clappy things, so it just annoyed me, not to mention that I don't think that you learn much of anything of substance from watching it, plus you have to sit there pretending that you find it just awesome. Really, and I hate to admit it, but I feel the same way about skits. They can be cute and all, but what's the point? I'd rather spend more time having an at least somewhat engaging conversation.

ladyj39 · #51 05-30-2003, 09:22 PM

I was so intimidated by rush and was so nervous the whole time! Luckily I went through it with a friend and were in the same rush group.

The sororities were all pretty diverse and I was so excited about that. I am Asian, but I've always had friends from different races. I grew up in San Francisco and I knew that I wanted to be part of an ethnically diverse sisterhood. I was excited about my firs party and I didn't really think twice when I was automatically paired with an Asian girl. But, the whole time I was at the party, I noticed I had only talked to Asian girls! The same thing happened to my friend, who is Latina.

It got better the second night when I got a chance to meet other girls, but the first night really turned me off. I guess they thought I would feel more comfortable or something. I didn't.

XOMichelle · #52 05-30-2003, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeslieAGD
Exactly! I've experienced Structured Recruitment as a PNM, a Sister, a Rho Chi, and an alumna helping a different chapter, and it's not so cut and dry. Each GLO, sometimes even different chapters of the same GLO, do things differently.

Actually, I asked it of the house I am now in, and I was not told the truth. I know b/c I'm a sister! The PNM's don't need to know the nitty gritty, but a general, truthyful explination gives the PNM's the respect and the info they deserve.

sugar and spice · #53 05-30-2003, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie

I also hated all the singing and clapping. Seriously, what does that have to do with whether or not I want to be a member of your organization?! I don't particularly like singing or doing clappy things, so it just annoyed me, not to mention that I don't think that you learn much of anything of substance from watching it, plus you have to sit there pretending that you find it just awesome. Really, and I hate to admit it, but I feel the same way about skits. They can be cute and all, but what's the point? I'd rather spend more time having an at least somewhat engaging conversation.

At Wisconsin, we only clap and sing while the rushees are coming into the house or leaving it. Do other schools do it during the actual time set aside for talking? For some reason I assumed they all did it the way we do.

I agree on the skits -- I mean, they're fun, but in the long run they're really a waste of time and they tell you almost nothing about the chapter. That's one of the reasons why my chapter contemplated not doing one next fall and just using the skit time to get to know the girls better. We eventually decided against that, since every other sorority on campus does a skit, but decided that instead of just doing a normal skit, we would do a combination skit/slideshow that incoporated Tri Delta facts, quotes and pictures of the activities we do (Homecoming, Humorology [like Greek Sing], Trick or Treat with the Greeks, etc.) that would at least let them know a little more about our chapter than the average skit.

ladyj39 · #54 05-30-2003, 11:16 PM

Our chapter incorporates facts into their skit. It's a great way to keep the PNMs entertained while learning something about our sisterhood.

We also only did the clapping and singing as they PNMs were walking in and walking out. In between would have been way too distracting and a little intimidating!

adpiucf · #55 05-30-2003, 11:22 PM

I really think every sorority both nationally and locally work to maximize conversation time in the house, and to give every prospective member an opportunity to meet people and to present herself as a potential sister.

PNMs are bound to be turned off by different things that might not offend or bother another PNM- I mean they are rushing into one house and out of another, it's hot outside and your make-up is melting, it's fast-paced-- at some houses sisters are snapping fingers or doing jazz hands instead of clapping when the president speaks, strangers are patting you on the back, you're being asked the same questions over and over.... holding your pee and smiling as you drink yet another class of water with lemon.... all the while trying to figure out where you belong.... That's quite a juggling act!

My best advice to the sororities as you head into recruitment: Do your homework in the form of a needs-assessment workshop. What kind of woman do you want and need in the chapter? Pour over those applications, know the girls coming in who are legacies or who have recommendations. Invent a name game or make posters for pre-Recruitment week to learn about who your top choices are (your top choices on paper, that is! Nothing is set until you meet them, but doing this exercise, you have a headstart!).

Also, do an assessment of your chapter-- make sure all of your members know about the sorority! Nothing is more embarrassing than a member who can't tell a PM about her philanthropy or who can't come up with a good sisterhood story when a PM asks, "How has XYZ really been there for you?" Make sure all members are equipped with key points to help the PNM learn about and want to be a part of your chapter.

Good luck!

AOIIalum · #56 05-31-2003, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adpiucf
Also, do an assessment of your chapter-- make sure all of your members know about the sorority! Nothing is more embarrassing than a member who can't tell a PM about her philanthropy or who can't come up with a good sisterhood story when a PM asks, "How has XYZ really been there for you?" Make sure all members are equipped with key points to help the PNM learn about and want to be a part of your chapter.

It certainly should not be a canned answer, and I've heard stories before about how all of the XYZ's told the same "personal sisterhood story" during a round (hopefully this is just sorority urban legend though!)

There's nothing wrong with making sure each sister who's rushing knows what her chapter actually *does*, and what her sisters mean to her--and that each one can effectively communicate her thoughts and opinions when a PNM asks her rusher, "Why are you an XYZ and why should I be an XYZ?" IMHO, if they can't answer that for whoever asks them that question, they shouldn't be on the floor. Period. Mock rush exercises are great things, I strongly encourage them for anyone who needs practice with recruitment conversation. Even better--they're lots of fun!

Poor conversation skills will offend a PNM folks! You've got to be able to make her at home in your home and talk with her, never at her or to her!

carnation · #57 05-31-2003, 09:40 AM

Y'all will never believe this but when I was assistant to the PH Director at Mississippi State, this one NPC chapter decided that they would only refer to each other at parties as "Sister Brown", "Sister Smith", etc., instead of Amanda or Jessica or whatever. We heard about it in the PH office during the first round and told them it was annoying the rushees but they said they wanted to do it because it highlighted their sisterhood.

You guessed it, they were cut by about 90% of the PNMs after first parties. The girls who didn't cut them that day did it the next one, it seemed. A week later, we sent out a survey for women who had rushed and most of them wrote about how much they hated that.

AOIIalum · #58 05-31-2003, 11:18 AM

carnation, I think that tops every recruitment story I've ever either seen or heard of! Catholic school twilight zone flashbacks, at least

sailorpiphi · #59 05-31-2003, 11:55 AM

Just a quick question? Are you allowed to touch the rushees? At Michigan State we are not allowed to touch the rushees that is a rush infraction.....

valkyrie · #60 05-31-2003, 12:33 PM

When I went through rush (granted this was a long time ago) the sororities had singing and clapping stuff not just as the rushees were walking in or out, but also for a while after that. I remember standing on the sidewalk for a while in front of each house while they did a little "XYZ is the greatest!" song. Honestly, I found these songs terribly annoying.