Spring Break
Greeks explain differences between spring and fall rush
Mayra Flores
Daily Staff Writer
- Page 1 of 1
Tables line the path between the Student Union and the Art building. Tents spring up among the tables, with pictures of members, paddles and fliers - all there to entice students walking by.
"Rush is a two to three week process, usually when school starts," said Robert Umstadter, Interfraternity Council president and member of Beta Theta Pi.
However, fall and spring Rush are not the same. Some differences between the two are the length of time each takes and the amount of formality each has.
Fall Rush is a lot more formalized. For the IFC, fall Rush tends to be the biggest Rush, about 10 to 12 and up to 30 new members, Umstadter said.
Spring Rush is smaller, with about five to 12 and up to 14 new members. In the fall, there are incoming freshmen interested in the Greek houses, Umstadter said.
There are differences between fall and spring rush for the sororities, as well.
"Fall Rush is more structured, lasting three days, each day the selection being reduced by the potential new members," said Emily Molina, Panhellenic Council president.
Some of the days' events include house tours so that new members can view the house.
"The next day is Theme Day," Molina said. "Generally, each house prepares activities for the new members to see what philanthropy is and also to learn more about the girls and the house," Molina said.
The last day is called Preference. Each potential new member goes to only two houses and then selects one.
The following day - usually a Monday - is what is called Bid Day, where the bids are given out for new members.
After bids are made, the pledges choose to either accept or decline. Then the pledge closes with pinning or initiation.
Spring Rush is different because each house is responsible for recruiting potential new members to their houses, Molina said.
They do this by setting up tables and by passing out flyers - encouraging female students to come to their events to learn more about the chapters.
After the new members are chosen, initiation follows.
"Most houses' initiation rituals are secretive. After the pinning ceremony, the new pledgees are taught the history of their particular house, or the lore," Umstadter said.
During this time, the pledgees are given a chance to see if they fit in and to learn about their brothers.
After one's initiation, one learns what the letters mean, usually a principle that a particular house abides by.
"The initiation is like a Christmas gift," Umstadter said. "Afterward, you find out what the surprise is."
Generally, one can find the values of each house described in its constitution. Some of the values may include lifelong brother and sisterhood, commitment to community, academics and justice.
According to the San Jose State University Web site, "Greek organizations have been an important part of San Jose State's campus culture since our first social Greek lettered organization formed here in 1898."
The Greek houses on campus are all part of one of four councils: The United Sororities and Fraternities Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council.
The first one is the newest and the first two are primarily culture-specific. The last two are general interest and are the older of the four.
"TV shows Greek life to be just partying. Partying is an aspect of it, but it's not what it's all about," Umstadter said. "We give back to the community. If you partied all the time, it affects your academics - that defeats the purpose of being in college."
Greeks put on several fund-raising events. They have certain charities that each support, Umstadter said.
We give back to the community. It humbles you in a way, Umstadter said.
"There is so much more to our chapters and organizations. We motivate each other, we support each other, we support our communities, we raise money for local and national organizations by doing philanthropies, such as Mr. Fraternity, Anchor Splash, Turtle bowl, Shamrock Showcase and Phi Ball," Molina said.
"The proceeds from these events go to a variety of organizations, and oftentimes, the community service and the philanthropy events go un-noticed in TV and Hollywood."
Each chapter does different community service projects, including helping the community clean up, helping out at soup kitchens and collecting clothing and canned food for local families, Molina said.
On average, each chapter does two to three community service events each semester that is set by the individual chapter, Molina said.
"Sororities strive to reach high academic goals, improve the leadership skills of their members and improve their social skills," said Kary Crumm, Greek graduate assistant.
There are many myths that surround sororities.
"In my opinion, the biggest myth about sororities would be that we are not very smart - ditzes, if you will. But in reality, each chapter has GAP (Greek Awareness Program) requirements and actions are taken if they are not met," Molina said.
Another myth would be that all sorority girls are rich and that our parents pay for everything when, in reality, close to half of the girls work either part-of full-time while going to school, Molina said.
Greek fraternities and sororities don't rule over themselves. They have others watching as well.
In 2003, there was a special committee that was formed as a watchdog of the Greek community.
It no longer exists, but its reports are still adhered to.
According to the Greek Task Force report, "The development of the Task Force and charge was in response to the death of a fraternity member that occurred on January 22, 2003 during a confrontation between two fraternities, Lambda Phi Epsilon and Pi Alpha Phi."
Although the tragedy certainly hastened the establishment of the Task Force, preparations had already been well under way in the Office of Student Life and Leadership to put a task force into place and bring the needs and challenges facing the Greek system to the attention of University leadership, the report stated.
"Greek Task Force was put together about a year ago," Umstadter said. "It was organized to put together standards to hold us accountable. There's a strong commitment between the university and the Greek chapters," Umstadter said.
The Greek community has many positive aspects, but like everything, there's a dark side to the organizations as well.
Last week, Chico student Matthew Carrington, 21, died because of hazing, a dangerous practice of initiation.
"I think it's really sad that someone had to lose their life and that a family has to cope with the loss - all because of hazing," Molina said.
"Fraternities and sororities' main goal is to better the lives of their members, not to take it. My heart breaks for the Carrington family."
Fellow Greek members agree.
"If you have the wrong guys leading the chapter, you get hazing," said Dave Bjerek, President of Sigma Chi.
"It took the legs out from under our fraternity when the head guys were kicked out. But their values weren't in the right place."
Sigma Chi underwent a major revamping in 2003 shortly after Bjerek joined, kicking out 70 members because of low GPAs, Bjerek said.
They even lost their house to debt. Now they have the highest GPAs on campus and a great-looking house, Bjerek said.
"It's too bad that something like this had to happen in order for the house (in Chico) to get a review," Bjerek said. "We don't understand why things couldn't have been controlled."
Steps and policies, however, do help prevent this kind of tragedy here at San Jose State University.
"On this campus, hazing is not looked upon with a kind eye," Umstadter said. "There is zero tolerance here.
"If there is an incident or something that doesn't seem right and is witnessed by someone, members are required to report it to Angela Harper, coordinator of Greek life."
There is also a report form that is found at the SJSU Greek life Web site that they can fill out and send.
Prevention is also done by the Greek organizations.
"We do training for our Greek awareness program, which is an intro to Greek life. After pledgees are pinned, we teach them about alcohol poisoning, laws, hazing, date-rape drugs and what to look out for and what not to do," Umstadter said.
Basically, practical information for safeguards. We take the proactive approach, Umstadter said.
Members are given hotline numbers if it does happen. If reports are made, they are investigated and dealt with very seriously, Molina said.
"We try to promote brotherhood and sisterhood as much as we can - after all, that's what most of our chapters were founded on," Molina said.
Be the first to comment on this story