Photo Courtesy of Gavin Meade ’20
On Jan. 28, the Inter-Society Council (ISC), the student organization for recognized private societies, held an information session for interested first-years about the Greek life recruitment process. Private all-male societies at Hamilton began in 1831; the first all-female sorority was established in 1982.
Greek life societies at Hamilton offer structured social options for all of the students on campus by hosting all-campus parties and philanthropic events. Greek societies also offer private social events, philanthropic opportunities, and alumni connections for their members.
This year, for the first time, Student Activities hosted an information session concerning the recruitment, or “rush” process.
“The event [began] with a presentation on why to join a Greek society and the recruitment process and a Q&A session will follow,” said Caroline Langan, ’18, Co-Chair of the ISC. “The Q&A session [enabled] Greek members to share their experiences during the recruitment process.”
Gavin Meade, a brother of the Chi Psi fraternity, commented that
“It’s super exciting to see the administration work in conjunction with the various societies on campus to best serve and partner with incoming students interested in joining Greek organizations.”
With Hamilton’s Greek life and rush process being different from that of many other schools, the information session is a new change in recruitment procedures that hopes to make it a smoother process. Past changes include rush being pushed back to second semester. The ISC’s Committee on Greek Recruitment recommended that “rush activities for first-year students (and other interested students) should commence no sooner than the first day of the spring semester and conclude by the last day of spring semester classes,” with pledging occuring in the fall of the sophomore year.
This new change hopes to increase the transparency of Greek life at Hamilton and improve the system itself.
“[T]he Student Activities office is working in conjunction with groups from the ISC to research other schools and compile a list of recommendations for many aspects of Greek life, including philanthropy, alumni relations, and leadership training,” said Matthew Lebowitz ’18, who is the other Co-Chair of the ISC.
“Rush/pledging is just one of these ‘working groups.’”
With each society’s rush process differing — with some having informal meetings and others hosting themed parties — it can be overwhelming for students to have a lack of definitive information surrounding rush.
“The ISC has been working with the Dean of Students to examine best practices in Greek Life with the goal being to continually work to improve Greek Life and the perception of Greek Life,” added Langan.
After the semester long rush process, “bids are given between the end of spring break and Class & Charter Day,” said Lebowitz, ending with students accepting one of the invitations to join a society.
The information session will ensure that all students are able to engage with the process before it begins, and understand the parameters of the long-anticipated events.
