AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > August > 14
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Greek Life
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I didn’t belong to a sorority in college. We didn’t have a Greek system at my small, 1,500-student school. But I’ve often wondered if I would have joined one if St. Mary’s College of Maryland had offered the rush of Rush Week.
As Andrea Jones reported recently, hundreds of incoming freshmen at the University of Georgia have been experiencing a “recruitment” whirlwind this week.
I was amazed to learn of the lengths some young ladies go to — getting personal recommendations, renting hotel rooms so they have a place to primp before the all-important, get-to-know-you tryouts — to help them join the perfect sorority house.
Starting college is difficult enough, but these young women seem determined to push through the pressure in the hopes of securing their social fates. I wonder: Is it worth it?
UPDATE: There’s some interesting commentary over in our Opinion section about Rush Week. The AJC’s Maureen Downey says fraternity or sorority recruitment should be deferred until either the spring semester or sophomore year, while Patty Disque of the National Panhellenic Conference says joining Greek organizations early on can help freshmen make a successful transition to college.
