Author: Joyce Lee
Oxy’s three sororities, Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Omicron Tau, the co-ed fraternity Zeta Tau Zeta and the two fraternities, Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, are sponsoring Spring Rush Week from Feb. 8 to 10 in order to educate students about participating in Greek Life. The Greeks also sought to recruit students into the various fraternities and sororities.
To prepare for formal recruitment, various Greeks sat in the quad throughout the week to encourage students to rush. On Friday, the Greek Council hosted a barbecue for all interested students, and in an effort to maximize the event’s visibility, Greeks sported their organizations’ colors and crests throughout the week.
There are currently around 250 students involved in Greek Life at Occidental. Approximately 120 students signed up last week for the spring 2010 formal recruitment, said Sarah Cantor (sophomore), vice president of women’s recruitment for the three sororities at Oxy.
In order to join a fraternity or sorority, a student must first review the organizations at formal recruitment, pledge one of the organizations and then pay a membership fee.
Rush Week is the main effort by the Greek community to oppose many students’ negative opinions of fraternities and sororities. Much of what the Greeks try to combat with formal recruitment is the stereotype that joining a sorority or fraternity is simply a way to imbibe in a culture of drinking and partying. Some Greeks stress that, at Oxy, there is more focus on community than on partying.
“Greek Life does not dominate the party scene [at Oxy] so no one is required to join Greek Life to have a good time, which means people become Greek for the right reasons – to be a part of a brotherhood or sisterhood,” SAE President Thomas Whitacre (junior) said.
Oxy’s Greek students insist that the college’s fraternities or sororities do not fall into the stereotypes of more mainstream or nationally- sponsored Greek organizations. “One of the stereotypes I think exists is that Greek Life is all about drinking and partying, but it’s really not like that here,” said Cantor.
However, despite Greek Council’s efforts, there is still a large population on campus that would not consider becoming involved in Greek Life because of the reputation of fraternities and sororities. “I don’t know much about Oxy’s Greek Life, but based on the general stereotypes of Greek Life – hazing and whatnot, I would not join,” Adam Levy (first-year) said.The fraternity and sorority members who organized formal recruitment seek to negate these opinions by showing recruits what Greek life actually has to offer.
“If you’re thinking about Greek Life, then [Rush Week] is a chance to find out . . . I swore I would never join a sorority, but I found one that fit me really well,” Cantor said.
Familial unity is another attribute that Greek organizations emphasize as a major benefit of belonging to a fraternity or sorority. “Coming to school is not easy. Being a part of such a large organization is like being part of a family . . . it’s really nice to have that strong support when I’m not at home,” Serita Robinson (sophomore), vice president of public relations for Greek Council said.
In addition to the family dynamic, there is also a major focus on community service. “Many people don’t realize this, but Greeks runs some of the largest philanthropy events for the school. SAE Haunted House, Phi Psi Rock Paper Scissors Tournament, Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha’s Alpha Male event . . . all of these are annual fundraisers that bring in large sums of money for philanthropies,” Whitacre said.
At this time, it is unclear whether Greek Life’s oft negative reputation will affect recruitment this semester. So far, 100 women have signed up to rush the college’s various sororities, while 30 men have decided to rush the fraternities. Following Rush Week, those 130 students may or may not receive bids from the various Greek organizations and will choose whether or not to “pledge.”
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