Fewer women rush sororities
25 percent fewer female freshmen go Greek; advisor cites weather, poor grades and personal concerns
Joel Pavelski
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: News
An uncharacteristically low number of female freshmen attended Hillsdale sororities' formal recruitment this year, and as a result, 25 percent fewer freshmen women joined a sorority.
Last year, 54 freshmen attended formal recruitment, or "rush," and 40 were "picked up," or invited to join a sorority. This year, only 39 women attended recruitment, and 30 women were matched to a sorority.
Joanna Wiseley, faculty advisor of the Panhellenic Council, said attendance at rush was smaller than she'd anticipated.
"But we ended up picking up almost all of the girls," she said, "and we were pleased with the way it turned out."
Wiseley cited several reasons for the low attendance, including weather, personal issues, and the low GPAs of some freshmen.
"The weather was horrible, and a grandfather got ill, you know," she said.
Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority picked up 12 women, Pi Beta Phi picked up 11, and Chi Omega picked up 9. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi both brought their house totals to 80 members, and Chi Omega's house now totals 65.
"We cap at 80," Wiseley said, "so we couldn't have had more anyway. Chi-O had a huge number of seniors graduate last year, which explains their number today."
In response to rumors of single-preference bidding, or "suiciding," Wiseley said the National Panhellenic council does not encourage or promote single-preference bidding.
"The fact that these rumors are even going around is sad because the selection process is very confidential," Wiseley said. "We want all potential new members join a sorority. If girls go in with an open mind, there's more than one house where they can be happy or have a fruitful experience."
More than a dozen sorority members refused comment, since the rules of their organizations prohibit discussing recruitment.
Last year, 54 freshmen attended formal recruitment, or "rush," and 40 were "picked up," or invited to join a sorority. This year, only 39 women attended recruitment, and 30 women were matched to a sorority.
Joanna Wiseley, faculty advisor of the Panhellenic Council, said attendance at rush was smaller than she'd anticipated.
"But we ended up picking up almost all of the girls," she said, "and we were pleased with the way it turned out."
Wiseley cited several reasons for the low attendance, including weather, personal issues, and the low GPAs of some freshmen.
"The weather was horrible, and a grandfather got ill, you know," she said.
Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority picked up 12 women, Pi Beta Phi picked up 11, and Chi Omega picked up 9. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi both brought their house totals to 80 members, and Chi Omega's house now totals 65.
"We cap at 80," Wiseley said, "so we couldn't have had more anyway. Chi-O had a huge number of seniors graduate last year, which explains their number today."
In response to rumors of single-preference bidding, or "suiciding," Wiseley said the National Panhellenic council does not encourage or promote single-preference bidding.
"The fact that these rumors are even going around is sad because the selection process is very confidential," Wiseley said. "We want all potential new members join a sorority. If girls go in with an open mind, there's more than one house where they can be happy or have a fruitful experience."
More than a dozen sorority members refused comment, since the rules of their organizations prohibit discussing recruitment.
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