Pepperdine’s fraternities and sororities prepare events and outings as Recruitment begins amid a flurry of activity.
RICHARD NAVA
Staff Writer
Pepperdine’s Greek system is gearing up to recruit fresh blood.
Between buying books, registering for classes and keeping up with homework there may seem to be little time for anything else. Pepperdine Greek leaders, however, have squeezed in some events for new and returning students who are hoping to rush.
Recruitment is a time for fraternities and sororities to bring in new members. These choices can be difficult as the decisions of who to accept could affect the future success of the Greek system and even the individual life-spans of each Greek group.
“Rush is designed to let the un-Greek girl discover the concept of a pro-sorority woman,” said Dominique Ovalle, vice president of public relations for Delta Delta Delta. “She meets members, discovers personalities, uncovers common interests and hopefully sees the sorority as a potential facet to her sense of being. Greek life opens doors, bottom line.”
Rushing enables participants discover themselves as well as their fellow students.
“Sig Ep is looking forward to meeting the new freshmen guys especially since there are more of them this year than ever before,” said Jamaal Crowley, vice president of recruitment for Sigma Epislon.
Incoming Freshmen may find the experience of rushing at Pepperdine differs from depictions in popular culture. University officials have consistently said hazing and other such practices are neither present nor allowed on campus. Greek leaders help support and enforce the stance.
“Hazing is something that Pepperdine Greeks feel very strongly about,” said Tiffany Saulnier, vice president of membership for Tri Delta. “In accordance with Pepperdine standards, no Greek organizations haze new members in any way.”
The act of hazing is replaced, according to Pepperdine Greeks, by various activities and rituals held on behalf of the new recruits. Students who may be looking forward to rushing can expect a series of “parties” intended to acquaint potential members, and an array of events offered by each fraternity and sorority.
According to Katelyn Kiser, vice president of membership for Gamma Phi Beta, all of the sororities on campus, for example, participate in the same activities during Recruitment week. These activities include Open House Night, Video Night and Philanthropy Night.
Fraternities share a similar schedule, according to Crowley, with events like broomball, Hookah Night and laser tag. Each event allows the new students to meet more people while giving the senior members of the Greek organizations a chance to meet the uninitiated.
“I really hope that they take the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, put aside any stereotypes they might have heard about, make new friends and simply enjoy the experience because it is one they will never have again,” Kiser said.
09-07-2006