Rush officially begins this week. For some individuals, this is very exciting, but for others, this might be very confusing. In the simplest terms, rush is recruitment week for fraternities and sororities.
Some frats and sororities have already hosted some events for interested students to get to know the organizations better, including Wednesday Jan. 27’s Student Organization Expo in the MacVittie College Union. The big starting event of the rush season, however, is the Round Robin on Saturday Jan. 30 at the College MacVittie Union. Here, Greek organizations can come together to show students what they offer.
“Greek life is very prominent on campus here in Geneseo,” Phi Lambda Chi junior Alexa Baviello said. Baviello joined Phi Lamb sorority in her sophomore year and has since become the recruitment chair for her sorority and is the Inter Sorority Council president on the Inter-Greek Council e-board.
Approximately 26 percent of students at Geneseo take part in Greek life and this number is swiftly increasing. With this, the competition to become a Greek member only grows. IGC e-board member and Sigma Alpha Mu brother sophomore Eric Martin stressed that this should not discourage anyone who is interested, though. “Rush around, weigh all your options and check out others,” he said.
Martin added that Greek life is especially popular at Geneseo because of the large presence of local fraternities and sororities. “[Greek life is about] joining something more unique, a much tighter-knit community,” he said.
Geneseo is unique because not many other colleges—particularly when compared to southern schools where Greek life looms large—offer so many local options. Most tend to have more national fraternities and sororities.
When rushing, it is important for a student to stay on top of their grades. The grade waiver and eligibility necessary to begin the rushing process allows the Greek organization access to students’ academic history—also allowing them to see if they meet proper grade requirements. Because of this aspect, grades are very competitive when it comes to narrowing down students during recruitment.
Alpha Delta Epsilon sisters suggest getting to know the organization’s members through attending as many rush events as possible. “Even if it’s for 10 minutes,” ADE sister junior Sydney Klainberg said. Forming a connection with the members betters one’s chance and helps narrow down which sorority or fraternity is the best fit for them.
Some students interested in Greek life may find that social sororities and fraternities may not be the best fit for them. Instead, they may find that an academic or service fraternity is a better fit. For example, Alpha Phi Omega is a well known national co-ed organization that offers students brotherhood and sisterhood. In addition, APO provides service opportunities for members.
“APO is a great experience to meet new people and it’s really fun,” APO member freshman Hannah Zimmer said. “You get to meet kind and genuine people while doing service.” Moreover, APO accepts all that undergo the pleading process.
Overall, Greek life can offer many opportunities for students. Not only does it provide a chance to, as Martin noted, “interact with people from different years and backgrounds,” but it also allows for the opportunity to aid the community with philanthropy and service.