Panhellenic tweaks recruitment process
Students still express dissatisfaction with schedule
Rachael Davis
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
Not everyone is satisfied with the recruitment rules and schedule, however, despite the changes that have been made. At least a few sorority members saw last year's "delayed recruitment" as an obstacle to academic success, they said, and, so far, they can distinguish little difference between the effects of a one-week or three-week delay.
"I think both [one-week and three-week delays] are bad," sophomore Casey Siebert said. "We all had tests the week of Bid Day. And it delayed making friends because you were scared to go out because a sorority you liked might cut you."
Lauren Jenks, also a sophomore, said she thinks "having recruitment during the week is probably the worst idea ever."
Jill Inman and Kendra Watts, freshmen and potential new sorority members, are nervous about the effect recruitment could have on their classes, they said. Because Inman is participating in sorority recruitment, she had to go to the freshman pep rally last night, even though she has a 7:30 a.m. class this morning. Watts said she has to skip class Friday because of recruitment.
"I think [recruitment] is really stressful," sophomore Halene Swanfeldt said. "School should come before rush, not the other way, and we shouldn't make it seem that way to new girls."
Last year was a lot of trial and error, Bowser said. "We're working with a lot of different stakeholders," she said, because changes in recruitment have to accommodate eight chapters and hundreds of potential new members.
Despite the difficulties associated with designing a recruitment schedule to satisfy such large numbers of people, Bowser said she is excited for this year's Greek class. "This is going to be an incredible year for our sororities and fraternities on campus. We have Greek leaders who want to make something happen. So I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining a sorority or fraternity to go Greek."
Men's Panhellenic recruitment will take place between Sept. 16 and 20. "It's very similar to the women's process," Bowser said, although the rules differ somewhat. Orientation begins tomorrow at Giffels Auditorium in Old Main at 5 p.m. Any young man interested in joining a fraternity should attend, Bowser said.
National Pan Hellenic recruitment for African American houses, though, is "totally different," Bowser said. The new membership intake program is a week of activities Sept. 2 through the 7. The National Pan Hellenic Council will host a "People of Color" event Wednesday, Sept. 3 at the Vol Walker Hall. Also, the step show "Stomp the Yard" will be performed Sept. 4. "It will be a great opportunity to come out and meet the Greek organizations," Bowser said.
For more information about Greek life at the UA and how to get involved in the recruitment process, visit uagreeks.uark.edu.
"I think both [one-week and three-week delays] are bad," sophomore Casey Siebert said. "We all had tests the week of Bid Day. And it delayed making friends because you were scared to go out because a sorority you liked might cut you."
Lauren Jenks, also a sophomore, said she thinks "having recruitment during the week is probably the worst idea ever."
Jill Inman and Kendra Watts, freshmen and potential new sorority members, are nervous about the effect recruitment could have on their classes, they said. Because Inman is participating in sorority recruitment, she had to go to the freshman pep rally last night, even though she has a 7:30 a.m. class this morning. Watts said she has to skip class Friday because of recruitment.
"I think [recruitment] is really stressful," sophomore Halene Swanfeldt said. "School should come before rush, not the other way, and we shouldn't make it seem that way to new girls."
Last year was a lot of trial and error, Bowser said. "We're working with a lot of different stakeholders," she said, because changes in recruitment have to accommodate eight chapters and hundreds of potential new members.
Despite the difficulties associated with designing a recruitment schedule to satisfy such large numbers of people, Bowser said she is excited for this year's Greek class. "This is going to be an incredible year for our sororities and fraternities on campus. We have Greek leaders who want to make something happen. So I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining a sorority or fraternity to go Greek."
Men's Panhellenic recruitment will take place between Sept. 16 and 20. "It's very similar to the women's process," Bowser said, although the rules differ somewhat. Orientation begins tomorrow at Giffels Auditorium in Old Main at 5 p.m. Any young man interested in joining a fraternity should attend, Bowser said.
National Pan Hellenic recruitment for African American houses, though, is "totally different," Bowser said. The new membership intake program is a week of activities Sept. 2 through the 7. The National Pan Hellenic Council will host a "People of Color" event Wednesday, Sept. 3 at the Vol Walker Hall. Also, the step show "Stomp the Yard" will be performed Sept. 4. "It will be a great opportunity to come out and meet the Greek organizations," Bowser said.
For more information about Greek life at the UA and how to get involved in the recruitment process, visit uagreeks.uark.edu.
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