How to go Greek

It is something members insist you have to be a part of to understand: the Greek system. Rush is their chance to show perspective pledges just why they love their respective houses and convince them to join.

Though it might seem intimidating, members say rush is just a chance to get to know people and have a good time.

Gathering information is the first step in learning about the Greek system. The Dean of Students' Office will put out a brochure at the beginning of next year detailing the many different houses on campus, according to Inter-Greek Council President Jess Grasso.

Senior Dani Holmes, who serves as Pan-Hellenic Council vice-president for recruitment, explained how prospective sorority sisters can get involved this semester. "We are going to have two sets of information sessions this semester for interested girls, one at the end of October and one at the end of November," she said. "That way they can meet members of the sororities in an informal setting."

Official recruitment for Greek organizations begins with rush. Rush differs in format between sororities and fraternities. Sorority rush is run as a system, whereas fraternity rush is run by the individual houses.

Prospective male pledges are only required to attend the events at the fraternities they find interesting. Sophomore Steve Leibowitz, Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) brother, explained that a male student can rush as many or as few houses as he likes.

"The rush period consisted of four different events which provided me with time to meet and interact with brothers in the fraternity," Leibowitz said. "In my mind, the most important part was just talking to as many brothers as I could and seeing whether or not I would enjoy being a part in what they themselves valued about being in the AEPi fraternity."

Sororities begin with Pan-Hellenic day, in which all sisters and rushees come to talk about sorority life in general in a neutral setting.

"It's completely non-house related," Grasso said. "We're just there to talk about the recruitment process and how the next few days will go."

After Pan-Hellenic day, the next days consist of rotating parties, including a theme party in which everyone involved gets to display her creativity. The last night is a preference party which requires an invitation from the sorority.

Sisters describe the goal of rush as a good way to get to know sisters. "You basically just get to know some of the girls in each house, see if you'd feel comfortable there, and get to know what each house is about," sophomore and Alpha Phi sister Jess Schwartz said.

Most brothers and sisters emphasized participating in rush, even if one was ambivalent about the process.

"While everyone might not become Greek, it's a great thing to check out," Holmes said. "Because I know I wasn't thinking that I was the typical sorority girl, but I went through the system and here I am. Seventy percent of the people inside the Greek system never thought they would be here."

Grasso also encouraged students to participate in rush. "It's non-exclusive, completely non-binding," she said. "You can come and decide you don't like it and not join."



The Greek website lists the eligibility requirements for recruitment. Students must have completed at least one college semester either at Tufts or another school. There is also an academic requirement of at least a cumulative 2.50 GPA (2.30 for engineers). Otherwise achieve these GPAs in their most recently completed semester with a normal four-course load.

In addition, students must not be on academic or disciplinary warning or probation. If these requirements are fulfilled and a student attends all scheduled recruitment events, he or she is guaranteed a bid from at least one of the social Greek organizations on campus, according to the Pachyderm.

Once students have decided which house they would like to join, pledging is the next step in the recruitment process.

"The pledging process is pretty different for each individual house, but the whole mentality is the same," Grasso said. "Nothing is ever mandatory for a pledge."

Alcohol is forbidden during rush by Tufts and the national Greek organizations. Due to some conflicts last year during the pledge process, Grasso believes the University will be particularly sensitive regarding these rules this spring.

"Even though technically there isn't supposed to be hazing you can never be sure," Grasso said, "so the University will probably be stricter, especially with the new alcohol policy."

Holmes described the goal of the pledge period as "a time for the new members to meet the sisters and learn the values the sorority stands for. Throughout the six week period, the girls are going through lessons to learn more about the sorority itself and the girls themselves, until they have enough knowledge to become sisters."

The same is true for fraternities. "It was a way to become familiar with the fraternity and its ideals, get to know the brothers in it, and develop the indestructible bonds of brotherhood with my pledge class and the others," Leibowitz said.

Grasso emphasized the philanthropic goals of the system. She believed that Greek organization's main purpose was performing community service. "The goal of Greek life at Tufts, contrary to popular belief, really is philanthropy," she said.

Holmes agreed that philanthropy was a big part of the Greek system. "Every house has to do a certain number of hours of community service and most houses go over. It's a great way to give back to the community," she said.

Recruitment can provide an opportunity to meet other students. "It is a great way to meet people who are also looking to meet people," Samuelson said. "You are opening yourself up to being friends with people who are looking to be friends with you."

Leibowitz shared the same sentiment. "I have met some special guys who I know I will be friends with forever," he said. "We are people that share common values, interests, and experiences."

Those involved in Greek life encourage all Tufts students to try out the Greek System. "I met a lot of people with so many different backgrounds," Grasso said. "I certainly encourage women and men on campus to give it a try. They don't know what they are missing."

On the Web: http://ase.tufts.edu/greek