Lines of peacoat-clad young women filed into Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge last night for the culmination of Panhellenic rush events.
About 340 invited rushees -- organized by rho chi, or rush, group -- attended the ceremonial announcement of new sorority pledges.
Wednesday night, all of the rushees signed forms, indicating and ranking which sororities they were interested in joining. They met last night to receive their bids.
The event brought together rushees, sorority leaders and Panhellenic Council recruitment officers, who welcomed the women to the sorority system.
Rush coordinators revealed their sorority affiliations -- which were kept secret during rush -- and distributed bids, or offers of membership.
Sisters and pledges congregated on Perelman Quadrangle to hug, make noise, snap photographs and otherwise celebrate the successful end of rush.
Panhel rush events began last Wednesday with two nights of open parties at each of the seven participating chapter houses.
About 507 women signed up to rush -- a number that fell during the following four rounds of events.
Rushees and sisters each had opportunities to narrow the field. The final round, held on Wednesday night, allowed rushees to attend just two houses as they were encouraged to make their final selection.
For the first time, sorority rush took place in one week instead of two this year. The same number of events were held, but the time in between them was condensed.
"Rush was very different than it was last year. It was more harsh. More early cuts had to be made," said College senior and Delta Delta Delta member Carrie McCloskey.
In spite of the shorter time frame and resulting increase in pressure, College sophomore and Sigma Kappa member Faye Ibars was satisfied with rush.
"It was my first experience with rush, and it was everything I expected and more," she said.
"I'm really excited for our new girls," College sophomore and Sigma Kappa member Jennifer Pavane added.
Sorority leaders led their pledges back to the chapter houses for ice cream and bonding.
Pledging will take place over the next seven weeks, with weekly meetings and sorority parties starting after Sunday.
College senior and Panhel Vice President of Recruitment Ashley Alexander praised the smoothness of recruitment so far.
"I am so proud of all of our chapters. They've put in so much work," she said.
