Greek life officials say spring rush brings less pressure

Fall rush can be an intimidating experience for an incoming freshmen, but spring rush, starting this week, will offer a chance for students to go Greek with less pressure.

Megan Ward, the vice president of public relations for the Panhellenic council, says spring rush is a far cry from the hectic, fast-paced recruitment period in fall.

“A lot of girls are intimidated of fall rush … but spring is a little more laid back,” said Ward, who added that sororities often recruit during the spring to replace graduating members. Ward said the benefits of rushing in spring include a less formal environment, minimal pressure and a smaller pledge class.

“Spring is a good option for students who still want to go Greek,” she said.

John Larson, the vice president of public relations for the Interfraternity Council, said one of the biggest advantages of rushing a fraternity in the spring is the sense of familiarity with the campus that freshmen already have by their third quarter.

“Students who rush in fall often don’t get a feel for individual fraternities and the campus,” Larson said. He added that spring rush allows students who might have changed their minds about participating in Greek life to consider joining.

Larson said he did not consider joining a fraternity until winter quarter.

“When I came to UCLA as a freshman, I had no intention whatsoever of joining a fraternity … but I found out that they had so much more to offer,” Larson said.

Larson said fraternities often offer strategic alumni connections, character development and leadership opportunities not easily found on campus.

“So many different people have been able to get jobs because of alumni connections. … There are also many opportunities for members to travel. Personally, I’ve met some amazing people,” Larson said.

Qualifications for joining a house vary. Though minimum GPA requirements play a part, both Larson and Ward maintain that the most important factor is simply how well a prospective member will fit in at the fraternity or sorority.

“It’s all about how you fit ““ most of rush is conversation. But if you want a sorority, you’ll get matched up,” Ward said.

She added that the 115 girls who have signed up for spring rush this year are part of a considerably larger group than last year’s assembly.

Ward said each of the seven sororities looking to recruit members in spring have different requirements for incoming members, though certain factors, such as compatibility, play a large role in admittance.

“The best advice is to simply be yourself when you go to recruitment,” Ward said.

Ward said spring rush will consist of three days in which prospective members will visit sorority houses, allowing sororities and prospective members to select a match, after which time the sororities will extend a bid, or invitation, to certain applicants.

“It’s a mutual process where both the sororities and the girls narrow down their choices so that they’re matched up correctly,” Ward said.

Spencer Schlee, the president of the Interfraternity Council, said there is no common denominator to what fraternities are looking for, though someone who shares the same interests and moral values as the fraternity is ideal.

“The number one benefit of joining a fraternity is what we call brotherhood, friendship and camaraderie, as well as people who share the same values and interests, aspirations and goals,” Schlee said.

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