It’s about that time of year again–rushing season! I’m sure you’ve all been seeing the Facebook and other social networking posts urging students to rush different sororities such as Iota Delta Chi, Kappa Delta Phi Nas, and Delta Zeta around campus, but what exactly does this mean?
Rushing is a chance to, as Destiny De los Santos, Kappa rush chair details, “find out what house and sisters you really fit in with and feel like you can be yourself around.” Rushing is a month long process where individuals are invited to find out a little more about Greek life and individuals in a sorority that they may be interested in.
Once an individual has chosen the fraternity or sorority that they believe best suits them they may then fill out an application and if chosen by a specific house, they then receive a bid to join that individual brotherhood or sisterhood.
After granting a bid the individual then begins learning history that will allow them to understand the importance of the letters they will be representing. While knowing the history is important, one will come to learn that Greek life goes beyond anything one could actually learn on paper.
Being a member of a sorority is similar to that of being a part of an exclusive community. One’s sisters become more than just their friends, in the sense that they truly become like a second family, or for some a family that they may have never had. This bond is unbreakable and truly something special to experience once you immerse yourself in this culture.
Fundraising is also an important part of being involved in a sorority. Each greek organization makes sure to take the time to give back to partake in philanthropy. For example, one of the foundations that Iota Delta Chi supports is that of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The sorority spends time year round raising money to give back to this specific charity.
President of Iota Delta Chi, Haley Dutile, states that “giving back to a charity is important” and states that the sisters of IDX plan to do a walk for St. Jude’s in November as well as make special trips to the hospital to visit patients. Sororities at Plymouth State University go beyond “the stereotypical partying and late night drinking scene,” explains Sarah Flower of Psi Beta Gamma.The crux of these organizations is to create a sound bond that helps shape one another futures- both academic and personal–in a more positive way.