The Observer, January 26, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 14
Sororities take over Thwing
Expect clapping and singing throughout Thwing this weekend as sorority formal recruitment begins in earnest.
The events start tomorrow at noon, with participating women of all classes being ushered through different procedures in order to place girls with their best-fit sororities (and vice versa).
The potential new members will go to a party for each of Case's six sororities tomorrow and Sunday. The women and sororities will make a list in preferential order after Sunday's parties and the Office of Greek Life will review the lists and do their best to match the women with sororities for the next round of parties.
Next weekend, the women will go to their assigned top-four sorority parties on Saturday, and then go to only three "preference" parties on Sunday. The groups and the women go through another list-making process, after which the lists are again processed by Greek Life. Sororities and potential new members alike will learn the results on Feb. 5.
This year, an estimated 200 freshman women will go through recruitment, an increase from last year's 140. It's difficult to determine how many will join because many women who register don't actually attend the events, and many that do go aren't registered ahead of time.
Amanda Hong, who is in charge of formal recruitment this spring, believes that rushing is a great way for underclassmen to meet older women, even if they don't actually join a sorority.
"Greek Life offers a lot that many non-Greeks don't know. There are many philanthropy, leadership, social, and networking opportunities," said Hong.
Hong encourages all women to go through recruitment, to at least go through the process and see what it's all about.
Many freshman women are already looking forward to the next few weeks. "I've heard a lot of good things about sororities and I think I can make more girl friends. Even if I don't join, I can meet people through rush," said Elaine Simpson.
Simpson's aunt was in a sorority in college and is still in contact with her sisters. "It seems like a nice way to keep in touch after college," said Simpson.
Others, who are perhaps less passionate about Greek Life, say that this "looks good on a med school application."
Anne Walker, a Phi Sigma Rho sister, didn't anticipate joining a sorority when she rushed last spring. Walker rushed because she accidentally met some Greek women and they seemed very enthusiastic and passionate about Greek Life. Walker and a friend decided to try recruitment, but not necessarily expect to join. After everything, Walker joined because she figured that it was a great networking tool, as well as a way to build leadership.
For Walker, formal recruitment is a great opportunity to meet freshman women.
"It's spectacular because the members get together with the interested women and we all get to talk and share. It's a chance for us to get to know one another. It's as exciting for the sisters as it is for the potential members," said Walker.
Walker believes that Greek Life supports the Case campus because philanthropy is very important to the organizations. Sororities train leaders that then help the campus, as well as their chapters. Walker says that, overall, "Greek Life gives a good sense of community," because different people work together to support a common cause: the university.
Interested women can register in Thwing starting Saturday at noon or register now at http://greeklife.case.edu.
