Recruitment vs. Rush

[AnchorAlumna]

Many of you know that NPC formally changed "rush" to "recruitment" several years ago. But many, many schools and people still use the term "rush." What do you think of the change? Do you think it's time to change it back to "rush?"

[AGDLynn]

Yes. Less letters to type/write

[carnation]

I vote for rush! Not only does the noun have fewer letters but there really isn't a verb to correspond unless you consider "going through recruitment", which is a mile long, to be one.

[Zillini]

Plus "Rush" is an accurate description, at least when talking about Formal Recruitment. It's hectic and crazy.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by Zillini

Plus "Rush" is an accurate description, at least when talking about Formal Recruitment. It's hectic and crazy.

What she said. I understand and agree with the rationale behind the terminology shift, but "Rush" truly is an accurate description of the event itself.

[ADPi Conniebama]

I agree -
"I was rushed"
"She is rushing"
"Are you going to rush?"

Just sounds more fun - I heard a reason why they went with "recruitment" (I think it was because, or the rumor was that the greek system was going down - so instead of girls "rushing" to join a sorority - it is now the sororities "recruiting" the girls) but I don't like it, sounds like the army - Also, it's not just that

Now -"perspective new members" (pnm) Then - "rushee"
Now -"released" Then - "cut" (actually I don't mind that change so much)
Now -"alpha or phi or new member" Then - pledge
Now -"6 to 8 week pledgeship" Then - "one semester"
Now - New Member Educator (or Coordinator) Then Pledge Mom

I don't know all of this seems to take the social out of "social philinthropic organization" But the times they are a-changin.

Edited to add - So, there is no misunderstanding - I will follow the leader as far as this goes and I am aware that panhellenic voted on alot of these things or that my individual sorority voted on these changes but I have always questioned authority before agreeing to jump on the bandwagon - so there it is.

[honeychile]

What everybody's said. What bothers me the most, though, is when someone accepts a bid. I understand that the noun "pledge" has negative connotations, but one still does (verbally) "pledge" to that GLO.

What do they say instead of "Remember the night we pledged?" Do they say "Remember the night we accepted our bids and went through the New Member ceremony?"? Just sounds awkward to me!

[adpiucf]

I like the term recruitment. I remember the first time I heard the word "rush." I was in high school, and a graduate of my high school came back to talk to my English class about her first year at UF. She talked about "sorority rush" and what a great way it was to meet people. I didn't understand what the heck she was talking about. Had she said, "sorority recruitment," I think I would have understood that the process of recruitment was a good way to meet people.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by ADPi Conniebama

Now - New Member Educator (or Coordinator) Then Pledge Mom

We called that person the Pledge Trainer or the Pledge Educator. A pledge mom was what some sororities call a big sis.

[BBelleADPi]

It's rush to me because that's what it was when I went through, and change is hard for me. We adopted our third child and second daughter ten years ago and STILL out of my mouth more often than not, comes my first daughter's name! It irritates both of my girls!

Another thing, Connie, that's MUCH different from when we PLEDGED is that then we were on the quarter system, and you PLEDGED one quarter, made grades, and got initiated the next quarter-which was forever to wait! Now, wham bam, it's done in a few short months. I'm not complaining here,mind you-it's certainly a better deal for the RUSHEES!

[GPhiBLtColonel]

I hate the term recruitment!!!

As a retired military officer, recruitment - to me - has different connotations than sorority rush does.

I never "got" why they felt compelled to change it.

The same with "pledge" vs "new member:" Why is "new member" better than "Pledge?"

I'd be happy if they went back to the way we used to call things....

[irishpipes]

I actually think "new member" is misleading. You are not a member until you are initiated. Newly initiated women are new members. Pledges are pledges. I understand that "pledge" may have stirred thoughts of hazing, but I don't care for the term "new member" as a solution. I also preferred "rush" to "recruitment." Since the term rush was used just for sororities and fraternities, people knew what you were talking about when you used it.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I actually think "new member" is misleading.

Not necessarily-- when you accept a bid to ADPi, you are considered both a sister and a new member. I concede we are perhaps overly PC, but that's the way it has been since the early 90's.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by GPhiBLtColonel

I hate the term recruitment!!!

As a retired military officer, recruitment - to me - has different connotations than sorority rush does.

A lady in my sorority (in another city where I was once an AA member) was not in the military, but is what she calls, "A child of the Vietnam era" and she strongly opposes any connotation to the military in relating to sorority "recruitment." This blew up when after many years of her planning the "Rush Brunch," younger alumnae members made it a point that we needed to change the name to reflect the proper terminology. She resigned in a huff... but thankfully came back to the event after a year.

[AGDLynn]

You are New Member but you are wearing a Pledge Pin.

We now have a New Member Coordinator instead of a Pledge Trainer and Fraternity Education Advisor.

The Fraternity Education team is now the Membership Development team. Okay, I do like that one better.

It's a toss of COB over "wildcatting".

Not thrilled with "single preference" rather than "suiciding" although I do understand why it is better, lol.