Rush can alter expectations for Greek life

The University prides itself on the diversity featured within its student body. But each year, rush serves to bring together over 1,000 freshmen, despite their individual differences. And each one comes to the rush process with unique impressions and expectations of Greek life. "Everyone has their different reasons for rushing," said Panhellenic Council Assistant Vice President of Rush Jen Wigman, a College junior in Alpha Chi Omega. College freshman Jillian Abrahams said sororities provide opportunities for leadership roles which are sometimes hard to come by in a large university. And they allow classmates to develop "better bonds," she said. Although Abrahams made close friends in high school and at sleepaway camp, she said she hasn't yet found such strong friendships in college. In addition to meeting new people, she looks forward to the enhanced social life, opportunities for philanthropy and the mentorship of older sisters inherent in sorority life. While many freshmen attend parties to get a feel for a variety of chapters, College freshman Dan Levy said he knew what he wanted in a fraternity before rush began and has his heart set on pledging Pi Kappa Phi. "It was by far my favorite," he said, explaining that a current brother introduced him to the other members, with whom he felt very comfortable. Levy added that Pi Kap's diversity was also attractive. "I didn't want a frat that was 100 percent anything," he said. College freshman Alexis Allen said she just wanted to have fun during the rush process. "I went into [rush] really skeptically," she said. "[But] I've been really pleasantly surprised." Panhel Rush President Florence Legaspi, a College senior in Alpha Phi, said she wished women didn't begin rush with the preconceived stereotypes many of them have about rush or the sorority system as a whole. But Wigman said most women's misconceptions about certain sororities are relieved as they go through the rush process and meet sisters they can identify with. "The most important point is to keep an open mind," Wigman said. She added that sorority rush's "co-selective" process -- allowing both rushees and current sisters to specify preferences -- ensures the best match is made. InterFraternity Council President and College senior Josh Gottheimer advised freshmen to avoid picking certain houses just because their friends do. Friendships formed during freshman year will remain intact even if friends are interested in joining different Greek chapters, he said. The Alpha Epsilon Pi brother said there are no bad choices in deciding which fraternity or sorority to join, and added that each organization provides pledges with the chance to make new friends and enjoy chapters events and programs. And Gottheimer said choosing a house "is a big decision, but it's not a be-all and end-all decision." Wigman agreed, noting that she still participates in many extracurricular activities outside her sorority. But she said sorority life has allowed her to make new friends and to "gain tremendously." Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said students should look beyond social possibilities to the community service events and academic pursuits that chapters offer. Additionally, he said freshmen should find brothers they could pose questions to as well as trust and identify with. "If the brotherhood is not tight, supportive and caring, then why invest the time, money and effort?" Reikofski asked.