I post this as an FYI and interesting article from their student newspaper on rush....
http://www.thedmonline.com/vnews/dis.../3edd760357614
Going Greek: Rush is right around the corner
by Jordan Lancaster
DM Arts & Life Editor
June 04, 2003
Even though it's only summer, many prospective freshmen already have one thing on their mind - Rush.
Whether you're in it to pledge a certain chapter or just to meet people, Rush is a pivotal point in the year for many freshmen. About 65 percent of freshmen participated in Rush last year, and about 85 percent of those pledged a fraternity or sorority. The feelings associated with Rush vary from person to person, ranging from eager excitement to stomach-churning nervousness. But for all those who choose to rush, it's most important to go into the process with an open mind.
"Going through Rush as a freshman was definitely exciting for me. Just enjoy it and know that we're just as nervous as you are," Neely Lauderdale, a junior English and psychology major, said.
Formal Recruitment begins on Sept. 26 this year, culminating with Bid Day on Sept. 30. The National Panhellenic-sponsored Intake begins in the spring.
For women going through Rush, here's how the process breaks down. Philanthropy parties are held Thursday and Friday, where you'll visit all nine sorority houses, wearing a T-shirt and jeans.
Saturday is Skit round, perhaps the most fun of the weekend. You can visit up to six sorority houses; appropriate attire for this round are clothes you would wear to church, like a skirt and top or a summer dress.
Sunday morning you'll go pick up another card telling the sororities that invited you back, and later that day Pref, the most serious round, begins. You'll visit up to three houses in cocktail dresses, and you should have a good idea of which sorority you'd like to pledge.
After you visit the last house, you'll go write down your bid. After an almost unbearably long wait on Monday, you'll go pick up your bid and sprint from Fulton Chapel to your new sorority house.
At this point, for women, the most important thing in preparing for Rush is gathering recommendations. Look for parent's friends, teachers or anybody else you know well who is an alumnus of a sorority to write you a recommendation. You will need a rec for each of the nine sororities at Ole Miss, but the person who writes the rec could have been a member of the chapter at any college, not necessarily Ole Miss.
If you don't know anybody from a certain chapter, you can contact the sorority's alumni association nearest you to write a blind recommendation.
When asking anyone to write a rec for you, make sure and send them a copy of your transcript, resume and senior picture. After they write the rec, it must be sent to the particular sorority house; these addresses are available via the Web. The sooner the recs are in the better, so the sororities can familiarize themselves with you before Rush.
Women must abide by the Rush rules this summer, so be careful when associating with sorority members. Planned meetings are not allowed, but don't be afraid to talk to your friends in sororities when you see them.
For guys, Rush is pretty similar, but a little more laidback. The first two days you visit all 14 houses, shaking more hands than you'd ever imagine and doing a whole lot of small talk. On Saturday you can go back to up to six houses that invited you back; khaki pants and polos or button up shirts are appropriate dress for this day. On Sunday, you can go back to up to three houses that have invited you back. An invitation back on Sunday automatically equals a bid for guys, so at this point, it's just your decision which fraternity you would like to pledge.
Unlike girls, guys are not required to have alumni recommendations, but they are still important.
"Guys are strongly encouraged to have recommendations, and it carries weight, so I don't want to discourage them, since they give you an opportunity to meet alumni," Jason Dean, assistant dean of Student Organizations and Greek Life, said.
Getting registered for Rush and sending in recs is important for guys, too. When the fraternities receive the information, the prospective members can get invitations to recruitment social events.
Both ladies and gents can get an early jump on things by registering now for Rush. This year registration has gone completely online at greeks.olemiss.edu The fee is $50, and it is payable by credit card or by mailing in a check. The deadline is Sept. 12.
As Greek Life is becoming increasingly service-oriented, according to Dean, students can prepare by thinking of ways to dedicate themselves to community service.
"They should go to organization fairs during orientation and see how they can get involved. They have six weeks to be students, and they need to spend that six weeks getting used to the Ole Miss environment. If they're acclimated to their environment, then the time demands of being in a fraternity or sorority will be better dealt with," Dean said.
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