Snow does not stop women’s formal recruitment

While the song “Let it Snow” could describe the winter scene of the IU campus Saturday and Sunday, the members of Alpha Phi sang a different tune.

“I love Alpha Phi, come and join our family,” they chanted as they jumped up and down while clapping.

About 1,640 women visited each of the 19 sororities for 19 Party, the first round of women’s formal recruitment. The purpose was for potential new members to get a feel for each house, and current members, such as the women of Alpha Phi, put all they had into welcoming the women.

“It’s been surreal,” said freshman Meaghan McKee. “At each house you go to, they scream at you and bang on the doors.”

Buses took women around campus to the houses, despite icy road conditions. Groups of about 30 girls waited outside each house in the snow before they could go in. While the women seemed enthusiastic, the falling snow had an impact on their spirits Saturday.

“I had curls this morning,” McKee said. “They were awesome curls, but they’re flat now and gone.”

When the time came for a house to open its doors, the chapter’s members started yelling cheers to welcome the new recruits. Once in, potential new members received tours and chatted with several current members of the house.

Freshman Katie Schwartz said she tried to make herself stand out by talking about her interests.

“I try to talk about what I’m involved in and, maybe if they’re involved in similar things, make a connection,” Schwartz said. “I try to say their name a lot.”

Some women said the conversations tended to be about the same subject matter over and over, but McKee said she did not find it a problem.

“You have to ask the same things because you’re wondering the same things about each house,” McKee said. “It’s kind of repetitive, but it’s not that bad.”

While the conversations went on, another group of women involved in the recruitment process, rho gammas, gathered in a separate room complete with snacks.

Rho gammas are current sorority members who advise potential new members about recruitment. They do not reveal what house they are in to women rushing until the end of the recruitment process.

One rho gamma, Abby, who could not use her last name so she would not show bias to the women she is mentoring, said she has enjoyed getting to know the women.
“It’s fun to get to know a group of 30 freshmen,” she said. “They laugh at all your jokes.”

She also said she calms nerves and provides guidance whenever women need it because recruitment can be overwhelming.

“I’m someone to call when they’re stressed,” Abby said.

With 19 Party over, women rushing have to wait until Jan. 11 to finish recruitment. Sororities have to wait until fall semester grades come out because the minimum grade point average requirement to join is 2.5. 

While it will still be cold in January, freshman Andrea Schieler said she didn’t mind the weather. She just dressed appropriately by wearing a couple jackets and tights under her pants.

“The girls have all been really great,” Schieler said. “It’s worth waiting in the cold.”