Enthused sorority pledges bring new strength to sisterhood

Tufts sorority rush represented a positive turn for sororities after last year's tensions with the administration and decreased interest in the program.

The total number of sorority rushees increased 50 percent from last year, according to Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Todd Sullivan.

"Recruitment is extremely important for the Greek system because it provides each house with new enthusiastic members," said Chi Omega president Sarah Fiorillo. "All three sororities have experienced expansions in membership as a result of a very successful spring recruitment."

During last spring semester's pledge process, two intoxicated Alpha Phi pledges were placed in police custody. The house was prohibited from hosting social events until Dec. 1 of this year, which placed a damper on sorority life.

"It's gotten a lot better since [Todd] Sullivan started. The system as a whole is on better terms with administrators," president of Alpha Phi Karen Schnur said.

"It's been really helpful being able to talk to [Sullivan] and get our voices and concerns dealt with directly and increase communication," Fiorillo said. "He's really enthusiastic and a great resource for all of the houses."

Sorority life plays a less-visible role in community-building on campus than do fraternities. "Through philanthropy, we have events happening all year long, we participate with LCS and Hillel, and we also have sisters in leadership positions across campus," Taylor said.

Chi Omega pledge Jessica Feinberg wanted membership in a sorority to add "a whole new dynamic" to her social experience. "I wanted a nice group of girls [to be with], a place to go home to," she said.

Pan-Hellenic Day, a general introduction to sorority life, began the rush on Super Bowl Sunday, which was followed by a series of theme and house parties throughout the week. While men generally enter their rush week with an idea of which house they would prefer, sorority rush is less specific and gives interested women the chance to scope out all three options.

"Our rush is a formal rush, we get to know the rushees, and they get to know us," Schnur said. "As you get to know each other you start to find out what they're looking for in a house, and what each is actually about".

"It was fabulous, and very well-organized, and a lot of fun," Feinberg said. "I'm hoping for really good connections with people that I'll be able to carry into the future. I think sororities are a really good facilitator of relationships like that."

"Sorority life on campus has greatly improved in the past year," Taylor said. All three houses had a great rush and have enthusiastic pledge classes that will carry them into a strong first semester next year."

-Kat Schmidt