Some similarities between fraternities and sororities are easy to see. Many students join to meet new people, to participate in new events and to become a part of a larger community.
Yet the differences between the two organizations may be the most profound.
Fraternity and sorority life represents a stark separation between the sexes.
Although sororities and fraternities are part of the same overall system, there are differences in the way the two communities attract new members.
“Formality is probably the biggest difference,” said Julia Hinson, vice president of recruitment for sororities on the Panhellenic Council . “The women’s process is much more of a shotgun process. It’s just five days, once a year. The boys are much more laid-back.”
The sororities’ formality takes root in their extremely structured and organized style of recruitment. Each of the five days of recruitment week is assigned a fixed number of chapter tours, philanthropic meetings, preference ceremonies and, of course, Bid Day.
Each woman interested in joining a sorority is required to participate in these events.
After all the scheduled open house tours have ended, each woman must rank their favorite chapters during the preference ceremony.
Through a process of mutual elimination, each participant receives one bid from a sorority.
Fraternities on the other hand, take a much more casual approach when attracting potential pledges.
“With fraternities there’s not really a single rush week,” said Bryan Witt, vice president of recruitment on the Interfraternity Council.
Fraternities host events throughout the summer, as well as the first few weeks of school to give potential members an idea of which house appeals to them the most.
“Rush is very informal. Really it’s just about hanging out, meeting new people and seeing what each chapter has to offer,” Witt said.
As recruitment week proceeds, fraternities will schedule events that occur all around campus.
Anyone interested in joining a fraternity may attend. These events range from barbecues to baseball games to rafting trips.
For fraternities, unlike sororities, there isn’t one particular Bid Day. If potentials are invited back to multiple events by a single fraternity, they should expect to get a bid from that house.
Of course, both processes have their advantages.
On paper, the formal nature of sorority rush week can be discouraging, but some see positive aspects to this style.
“It starts and it finishes and it’s very defined,” Hinson said. “The guys’ is more drawn out. We start ours and end ours with everyone on the same page.”
This unity represents a definite advantage for women interested in joining a sorority.
Rather than picking and choosing which events to attend, each potential pledge tours every house and devotes an equal amount of time to the rush process.
Each chapter is given an equal chance to be considered, rather than the scenario of picking a favorite house at the beginning of the week and turning away from other options.
Yet the relaxed style of fraternity recruitment also has its advantages.
“With things being less formal, it gets people to open up; you get to know them better. It’s just hanging out, seeing true character,” Witt said. “You might get to be hanging out with this same fraternity for a couple months. You really get to see the big picture, what they’re really like and not just a first impression.”
Despite the differences between the two communities, fraternities and sororities remain equal in their mission to provide
opportunities to make the University more connected.
“All the chapters on campus are looking for men and women who are going to make our community better,” Hinson said. “We’re looking for people who are driven and leadership-oriented, excited and enthusiastic.”
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Distinct recruiting styles
Daily Emerald
September 27, 2010
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