Two-week sorority rush begins

The Panhellenic Council's new rush process kicks off tonight with open house parties beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9:30. This year's rush is more informal than in past years, providing a less stringent schedule for the rushees to follow. Panhel's goal in changing the rushing format was to move from "rules to ethics," according to Florence Legaspi, assistant vice president of rush and a sister in the Alpha Phi sorority. "We have a new code of ethics because we thought rush was too rule-oriented," the College junior said. The rushing process consists of four rounds of parties, concluding with Bid Day next Sunday. Under the new system, rushees have more control in determining how much time they will spend at each house. "[The new rush process] is allowing rushees to split their time as they want to," Alpha Phi President and College senior Joanne Pasternack said. And a number of informal events were held during the fall semester to showcase the sororities and better acquaint rushees with the Panhellenic system. Orientation sessions were held in October and November, during which prospective Greek members had the opportunity to sign up for rush and speak with sisters of the various chapters. "The new atmosphere is more conducive to getting to know people," Pasternack said. "It makes everyone and everything more approachable." College freshman Amanda Cohen said she likes the new system. "I decided to rush to meet more people," she said. "[During informal rush] I got to meet some of the sisters in a friendly and informal atmosphere." In the past, through a process referred to by Legaspi as "mutual selection," rushees and sororities choose each other, with rushees ideally offered bids by their preferred houses. During tonight and tomorrow night, rushees must visit each of the eight Panhel houses. They then rank the sororities in order of preference, and are invited back to select houses based on those rankings and selection by the chapters. Rushees must attend each of the parties they are invited to after the open house round. According to Jennifer Wigman, assistant vice president of rush and Alpha Chi Omega sister, the most substantial change in the rush process can be seen in round two, during which rushees are given four hours to visit four sororities. A minimum of half an hour must be spent at each house, leaving the rushees with two hours to spend wherever they choose. "This way it's more relaxed for everyone," explained Wigman, a College sophomore. Even though the new process is somewhat experimental, it is widely supported by the Panhel members. "Alpha Phi is really excited to be able to bring people in and get to know them," Pasternack said. Legaspi said she agreed. "It's definitely positive," she said. "Next year we'll see what went wrong and fix it."