Getting Ready for Sorority Recruitment

Many prospective sorority members and their parents worry about sororities engaging in questionable practices which may culminate in alcohol use and/or hazing during sorority recruitment week.

Your formal Panhellenic sorority recruitment process is structured and overseen by mature student leaders such as Panhellenic officers, recruitment counselors/guides, and sorority officers. Additionally, student affairs professionals and (inter)national officers of many sororities are present. Alumnae and advisory board members, many of whom are parents themselves, are often present at each sorority to assist with management or support of the events.

Concerns about alcohol may stem from the use of the word “parties” on some campuses to describe the individual events where sorority members meet prospective sisters. When you hear the word ‘party’ used in this context, think more along the lines of a proper British tea party rather than a raging bash with loud music and drunk students.

In fact, sororities plan their tea-party-like events in detail months in advance. They design the parties knowing which sister will be where and what she will be doing what at any given minute of each party. They plan these details intricately so their time spent with you will not be interrupted and will therefore create the best possible opportunity for you to get to know one another.

Obviously alcohol would interfere with getting to know a potential member on a genuine level and is therefore not encouraged by sorority members. But also, alcohol is not permitted on sorority properties and is expressly prohibited by local, institutional, and (inter)national organizations during sorority recruitment events.

Hazing is expressly prohibited during sorority recruitment, and at all other times as well. Hazing is not a “sport” as you might have seen portrayed in the media or in movies. It is a shameful activity and those who participate in such activities are penalized and often ostracized. Be sure to read your campuses statement on hazing if you have further concerns.

Alcohol consumption and hazing during formal Panhellenic sorority recruitment are not activities that sorority members condone. The biggest hazing or drinking challenges you will face during sorority recruitment will be seeing through the haze of emotions and drinking too much of the gossip.

SUNDAY TOLLEFSON is an author, professional speaker, coach, and a leading authority on sorority recruitment. She is the author of RUSH RIGHT: Reveal Your Best YOU During Sorority Recruitment and the founder of SureSister.com.

Copyright 2009-2010 Sunday Tollefson, SureSister.com

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