Frosh get taste of Greek life as IFC, Panhel launch rush

Less than two days into the semester, hundreds of freshmen are beginning a much-anticipated foray into Greek life. The InterFraternity Council's two-week rush period, during which male students sample the IFC's 32 fraternities, officially began Sunday. Fraternity houses are holding open houses and other events throughout the week. And tonight marks the beginning of the Panhellenic Council rush period, during which freshmen women get acquainted with Panhel's eight sororities. Panhel rushes will receive their bids January 25, while the IFC will notify its prospective pledges January 27. Those issued bids will then decide whether or not to pledge the respective fraternity or sorority. This year, 524 women have registered for rush, up from 502 last year, Panhel officials said. Incoming Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, a College and Engineering junior, said she was excited about the increase, especially since sorority rush registration numbers across the country have decreased. Since Panhel will allow additional women to register until 5:30 p.m. today, outgoing Vice President of Rush and College senior Jen Wigman said she expects the figure to continue to rise due to last-minute registrations from transfer students and women who change their minds. IFC Vice President of Rush-elect and Wharton junior Jeff Snyder, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said he could not estimate how many men were rushing since the IFC has not held an official registration. Panhel rushes are divided into groups and taken by rho chis, or rush counselors, to visit all eight sorority houses in two rounds this week. The women must then narrow their choices for the final two rounds, which take place next week and end January 24. After each round, the women are evaluated by the sororities, which ultimately decide whom to offer bids. IFC rush, which is less formal than Panhel's, consists of open house gatherings throughout the week. The open houses allow rushees to become acquainted with the brothers of the fraternities they decide to visit. Next week, fraternities will hold invitation-only events as they narrow down their list of potential pledges. In deciding on a house to rush or pledge, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski urged students "not to be afraid to ask questions about topics such as chapter grade-point average, community service and pledging expectations." In order to attract pledges, the chapters conducted a variety of activities last semester in order to make themselves visible on campus. One such event was Greek Week, in which Greeks held open-house barbecues as well as Meet the Greeks days on Locust Walk. Informal IFC rush is also common in the fall, as many men get an early start on meeting fraternity brothers, Reikofski said. But he said that while all fraternities attempted to attain visibility in the fall, past reputation plays a large role in attracting pledges to certain houses. Snyder agreed. "It's naive to think people don't come to the University with preconceived ideas," the Phi Kappa Sigma brother said. "It's unfortunate, because the stereotypes are mostly inaccurate." Reikofski stressed that one-on-one communication is pivotal in attracting pledges. In fact, a fraternity should emphasize the "impact it will have on other aspects of your life" when trying to attract pledges, according to incoming IFC Executive Vice President and Wharton junior Clive Correia. The Phi Kappa Psi brother said his fraternity's "huge support structure" has played a role in "positively changing the path of [his] life." For now, though, many freshmen are more concerned with having a good time than receiving a bid. Engineering and Wharton freshman Jill Zeldin said rushing "could be fun" and "is worth giving a shot." And as far as pledging is concerned, Zeldin said she is "keeping her options open."