At Ohio University, 10% of the undergraduate population participates and there is a vibrant Greek life with 30 fraternities. Although some students will never see beyond the Bid Day banners hanging on fraternity porches in the fall, a lot of preparation goes into the events announced on the banners above. This preparation all begins with the work week.
Georgia Santino, a senior studying communications and journalism, describes the work week as a time to prepare the sorority’s existing sisters for the recruitment process, informally known as “rushing.” Santino is the vice president of recruitment for the OU chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, a role that involves overseeing the planning and execution of a sorority’s recruitment process.
“We … spend a lot of time bringing our chapter together and re-centering our sisterhood because we spend so much time together,” Santino said. “We also spend so much time talking about the things we look for in a member – the values, the traits, things like that.”
Another leader in recruitment on campus is Sophia Yoder, a senior studying interior design. Yoder is vice president of membership for Alpha Xi Delta.
“The work week consists of a lot of different workshops (and) team-building exercises. We do a lot of practice rounds so everyone knows exactly how things are going to go and feels confident before they start anything,” she said. “It’s about improving your recruiting skills and being prepared for any questions someone might ask.”
While the work week includes many long days of presentations and training exercises for current members, there are always fun activities on the schedule, such as the upcoming trip of the Alpha Xi Delta sisters to Columbus for a photo shoot. This aspect of the week can be used as a stress reliever and an opportunity to build friendships within the group.
“You make new friends with people that you’re not necessarily always put in the same group with… you get put into these groups and make friends that you never would have made before the work week,” says Sarah Woodard, a senior studying communications and Chi Omega’s human resources manager.
In addition to making new friends, the work week also offers the opportunity to share important insights and make contacts right at the beginning of the year.
“We always found time during the work week to sit down with everyone and share stories about everyone’s experiences. Many of the older ones like to tell their stories to other people, like the younger girls. I feel like that’s what strengthens the bond between us the most,” Yoder said.
The importance of the work week goes hand in hand with the importance of the recruitment process, both for existing members of the sorority and those applying for spots alongside them. The work week ensures that members are prepared to answer questions and complete the various rounds of the application flawlessly, allowing for a more positive experience for prospective new members or PNMs. Even though the recruitment process may seem to focus on those interested in joining, Woodard believes the burden of the process is felt on both sides as the sorority prepares to lose another graduating class.
“It’s really important to be able to recruit new girls who will fill that gap in personalities who will move on with their lives, and ultimately you want your chapter to recruit the best version of themselves,” she said.
The first few days of a sorority’s new year are often filled with anxiety and pressure, but Santino believes there are ways to shift the focus away from those unpleasantries in favor of a better experience for sorority members and PNMs alike.
“You should always keep in mind that sometimes you stress yourself out for no reason. If you really get involved in a process and really experience something, it can be a lot more fun in the end,” she says.
As PNMs began talking to their potential future sisters, Woodard had some advice.
“Just be yourself. It’s really important to be as authentic as possible … because you don’t want to end up somewhere where you have to keep up a facade,” she said.
Yoder believes that if a PNM goes through the process with an open mind and just goes with the flow, he or she will find the home they are meant to find.
