Rush is currently underway at Edinboro University, a nearly three week long event at the beginning of each semester.
As described on the university's website, Rush is a way to "meet members of the fraternity or sorority chapters on campus and gain a better understanding of the benefits and opportunities the chapters have to offer."
Some, however, call it "recruitment" since they have to find people to join rather than having people come to them, said Michelle Zewe of Alpha Sigma Tau(AST.)
"Rush is an all-dry event," said Sean Bradley Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) President and Interfraternity Council (P.R.) "Rush is an event where girls who are interested in joining a sorority can go and check out what each one is like," said Alexis Wynn of the Delta Zeta (DZ) sorority. "Recruitment is always very exiting, especially during the fall semester," commented Zewe.
Rush events vary from one another. As Bradley explained, it's harder to keep guys' attention, so they can expect activities such as playing different sports or having cook-outs. For women, events are planned by the recruitment chair and vary year to year.
"Some of our favorite activities are playing Scattergories, Apples to Apples, (and) The Song Lyric game," said Zewe. "And this year we've also played kickball in the student center's gym, which everyone seemed to have a great time at!" Wynn added DZ has held events from slumber parties to cook-outs.
Over the years, things have changed for the Rush process. "It's not how much alcohol you can drink. It's not ‘let's beat this person up and yell at him and her.' Absolutely no hazing is involved," explained Bradley. However, every year is also different as far as how each Greek chapter can go about things."Some years there are a lot more rules as to how rushes are allowed to be run or promoted, and some years there's barely any," said Wynn.
After the rushing process, if a Greek organization is interested in someone becoming a new member, it will hand the potential member a "bid." As defined by Zewe, a bid is an invitation to become a member of an organization.
All three Greek organizations agreed on the importance of joining the group that fits best.
"My advice for those interested in Greek Life is to visit and get to know as many organizations as you can during the beginning of each semester," said Zewe. "Everyone wears different letters, but we are all part of the same organization," Wynn explained.
"Most organizations cost $300-400 for new members and then anywhere from $250-400 a semester for initiated members," said Bradley. "It's not cheap, but if you join the one that fits you, money won't mean a thing." "Rush can be a little scary, but it will be worth it if you go through with it," added Wynn. "If you have one bad experience, it doesn't mean they are all like that."
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