LV LifeGreek Life

Rush draws prospective Greeks

Rush Week allows rushees to explore the Greek organizations on campus. Sophomore Karie O’Neill (right) leads potential pledge sophomore Erika Swineforth (left) into the Sigma Kappa open house rush party Monday night. / photo by Rosie Sinapi
Rush Week allows rushees to explore the Greek organizations on campus. Sophomore Karie O’Neill (right) leads potential pledge sophomore Erika Swineforth (left) into the Sigma Kappa open house rush party Monday night. / photo by Rosie Sinapi

by Lori Cruz
Staff Writer

This week more than 40 men and women rushed for bids from the six fraternities and sororities on campus.

The process began last week with sign-ups for the Greek system. On Saturday, the women held an All-Sorority picnic at San Dimas Park. More than 50 women attended the picnic, said Stephanie Assael, sorority rush coordinator.

Tonight is the night that prospective members receive bid cards from the sorority or fraternity that would like them to join. The invited rushees have the weekend to decide whether they want to accept the bid. After their decision is made, they sign their bid cards and return them by Monday.

The men’s bid cards must be signed and returned by Friday, Oct. 13. There is an unlimited number of prospective members for which a fraternity can bid. For the sororities, the number of potential members they can bid for is based on the number of women who rush. This year’s quota is six per sorority.

The sororities are Iota Delta, Phi Theta Chi and Sigma Kappa. The fraternities are Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta and Delta Sigma Phi.

Monday evening was Open House for all rushees and current members. The event was held on campus and all rushees were encouraged to attend. Its purpose was to let prospective members meet current members.

The fraternities had their off-campus parties on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The sororities had “Theme Night” on Tuesday. All rushees are able to attend the parties during the week.

Tonight marks a more formal night for the Greeks. It is ”Preference Night,” in which prospective members have to be invited to attend the individual Greek parties. Each rushee can attend two parties.

Although the process is somewhat similar, the rules for the men are more lenient.

“This week has relaxed in many ways,” said Chris Braunstein, fraternity rush coordinator, who is a three-year member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

There is a deferred rush program for freshman who wish to be a part of the Greek system. They were a part of Rush Week, but they cannot get a bid until they have completed 12 units, which could be next semester.

“This is because some freshman don’t come equipped with the best time management skills,” said Melissa Jaunal, coordinator of student activities.

After going through rush week and picking a sorority or fraternity, the rushees then partake in the pledge program which is carried on through a maximum of six weeks.

Pledging is a time for incoming members to get to know the established members. It is also a time to learn about the Greek system and the sorority or fraternity in greater depth.

“It’s a learning process. [Prospective members] learn the history and traditions of the fraternity. It also prepares them for membership,” said Braunstein. “Rush Week only opens the door. When you become a member, there are so many opportunities to take on leadership positions. This is such a positive experience.”

Jaunal said the main purpose of the Greek system is service—both school and social.

Lori Cruz
Other Stories Bio
Rosie Sinapi
Other Stories Bio
Previous article
‘America’s Fair’ offers plethora of adventures
Next article
‘Dreamcoat’ rehearsals

Latest Stories

Related articles

Greek Life

‘Blooming with Sisterhood’ answers recruits’ questions

The University of La Verne College Panhellenic Association held “Blooming with Sisterhood” Sept. 2 in the Quay Davis Executive Boardroom, bringing in around 25 students hoping to learn more about the organization.
LV Life

Fair promotes student involvement

The student engagement office hosted a fall Involvement Fair Wednesday in the Abraham Campus Center. 
LV Life

Homecoming stretches across entire campus

The University’s annual homecoming festivities began with a 5K run on Saturday that started on the Citrus Lawn, next was the street fair on C and Second streets in front of the Campus Center, then the Mission Brewing pre-game party in the Quad. The evening ended with  the Homecoming football game 
Greek Life

Greek life brings information and caffeine

Olivia Montoya, sophomore sociology major, and Deanna Villagran, assistant director of student engagement and leadership, present information about Greek life on campus Aug. 22 in the Johnson Family Plaza.