Panhel plans rush overhaul next year

Although the details remain to be hammered out, the Panhellenic Council executive board has decided to alter its rush process for next year's incoming freshmen. Panhel is looking to abolish the designated rush registration days that previously required all interested women to congregate in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge to fill out forms. Panhel President Jessica Lennon, a College junior and Delta Delta Delta sister, said sorority members want to showcase rush throughout the year. She added that Panhel will likely allow interested women to register for the process at many events throughout the fall semester, including CUPID, Meet the Greeks and at Panhel-sponsored activities. While individual chapters will still be forbidden from trying to lure women into membership, Panhel as a whole will work to publicize the rush process, said Panhel Vice President for Rush Jenny Wigman, a College junior in Alpha Chi Omega. Noting that this year's rush numbers dropped slightly, Lennon said Panhel also hopes proposed changes for Greek Week draw more women toward rush. The Greek Week committee is currently formulating plans for a larger barbeque on College Green, a carnival -- whose proceeds would go towards a common charity -- Meet the Greeks on Locust Walk, Greek mixers and a block party on 41st Street, according to Lennon. And, like the InterFraternity Council -- which welcomes potential members at a barbeque -- sorority members also hope to showcase their chapters with "very informal" open houses during Greek Week, Lennon said. "It's a week of fun -- just kicking off the school year -- sponsored by the Greek community," said Greek Week committee chairperson Ann Wang, a Wharton sophomore and Pi Beta Phi sister. She added that the Greeks hope to foster a more comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. "We just want to make it a little more informal and go out there and get people excited for the Greek system [as a whole]," Wigman said. Panhel Vice President Beth Linn, a College sophomore and Tri Delt sister, said she hopes "some of the mysteries [of Panhel] will be broken" and chapter stereotypes dispelled as the University community comes to learn more about individual sisters and chapters' activities and interests. Lennon also wants to convey the message that her executive board's focus will be on women's health issues and plans to continue collaborating with other campus organizations to create programming and educate its members. Another change rushees might see next year is a cut in the number of houses prospective Greek women will visit. After initially visiting all eight houses, women this year could be asked back to a maximum of all eight, then four and finally two houses as the elimination process progressed. But next year, Panhel hopes to provide for a maximum of six-, three- and then two-house visitations as rounds progress after rushees initially explore each chapter after returning from winter break. "There could be some definite bonuses in doing that," said Wigman, noting that "it makes a gradual cutting process" and would allow for each open house to be a little longer. "It makes people look more seriously at the six houses," she added. Assistant Vice President for Rush Julie Galuzzo, a College sophomore and Kappa Alpha Theta sister, said this change would "make [the Rush process] a little easier and more realistic" for both the rushees and the sisters. The final change for rush Panhel is looking to secure involves the elimination of chapter skits from the first round of open houses because many rushees complain, "Why am I doing this? It's too campy," according to Wigman. She added that she will finalize all the changes over the summer with alumna and chapter rush chairs.