Despite disruptions, more than 80 Boston University upperclassmen participated in informal week of sorority rush events that concluded yesterday, a better turnout than organizers originally planned for.
Emily Brady, a College of Arts and Sciences senior and the informal sorority rush chairwoman this fall, said more people turned out than expected, she said.
“This rush is only open to upperclassmen, most of whom have already found a group of friends,” Brady said. “This year there are obviously many upperclassmen looking to branch out and find new friends in a sorority.”
There were, however, a few problems. Most of the sororities planned to begin rush events on Tuesday, but many canceled in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
The first event was a week overview and sorority question-and-answer session held Sunday at the George Sherman Union. More than 80 women pre-registered for the rush and more showed up at the meeting.
Most of the recruits had their first chance to talk at length with sorority sisters during the general information meetings held on Wednesday. By that time, most prospective rushers were already leaning toward a specific sorority, Brady said.
Gail Cayetano, a sophomore in the College of General Studies, said she was not initially interested in Greek life.
“I just tagged along with a friend to the information meeting and to the Greek barbecue,” Cayetano said. “Once I began to talk to some people, it totally changed my view of sorority life.”
Cayetano rejected both bids — invitations to join a sorority — she received yesterday at “Bid Day.” She did not initially receive a bid from her first choice, Alpha Phi.
“I visited with four different sororities this weekend, and I could see myself with [Alpha Phi],” she said. “When they called me back and invited me to join, I was very excited.”
Chandra Willard, a sophomore in the College of Communication, recently transferred from George Washington University and said she rushed to meet new people.
“I wasn’t very interested at first, but I thought I’d give it a shot since I really didn’t know many people here,” Willard said.
Most sororities have a limited membership and the number of openings depends on the number of graduating sisters each year. Brady said that her sorority, Alpha Phi, could only extend eight bids this year because it is nearly full.
After expressing interest in a bid, the rushes attended other events during the week, such as Alpha Phi’s “AlphaPhiesta” held last Thursday. Alpha Epsilon Phi, Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta held parties at Big City on Brighton Avenue. Sigma Kappa held an event at An Tua Nua on Beacon Street.
At the conclusion of the events, each sorority compiled a list of candidates. The candidates attended a preference party with the sorority of their choice on either Friday or Saturday night.
The process ended yesterday with “Bid Day.” The BU Panhellenic Council informed the women which sorority bid for them.
The bid, however, is just the start of the process. Those who receive and accept their bids must now pledge before they are considered an official member of the sorority.
The pledging process varies with the sorority, but generally involves several months of learning about the BU chapter and the national sorority.
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