College Panhellenic Council Tabling | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
In early August the University of Alabama’s sorority recruitment went viral on TikTok and sparked conversations about Greek life’s diversity and inclusivity.
Newspapers published articles debating this topic, including a Time Magazine article titled “RushTok Is a Mesmerizing Viral Trend. It Also Amplifies Sororities’ Problems With Racism.”
Diversity in WSU’s sororities
In recent years, there has been a push for more diversity and inclusion among Greek life at Wright State University (WSU).
“I think we have very high potential and people who want to see diversity and inclusiveness,” National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) President Dai’Shanae Moore said.
In 2019, students founded WSU’s first Asian-interest group, Advocates for Cultural-diversity and Excellence (ACE). The following year the College Panhellenic Council (CPH) added a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) chair to their council.
“We have the potential and I think we have great people working towards making Greek life as a whole as inclusive and diverse as possible,” Faith Thompson, CPH’s vice president, said.
Recruitment at WSU
Sorority recruitment differs at each university and WSU’s is values-based.
“We don’t expect you to be a carbon copy of anyone. We don’t expect you to look or act a certain way other than to have strong values and present the best version of yourself,” Gina Keucher, program director for fraternity and sorority life at Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL), said.
This sentiment was echoed by College Panhellenic Council (CPH) President Brittany Zazueta and Moore.
CPH and NPHC have different processes while specialty sororities like ACE and Phi Sigma Rho (PSR) have their own recruitment. However, each organization looks for girls whose values align with their organization’s.
CPH’s recruitment week is Sept. 9-13 and ACE’s is Sept. 7-17. NPHC had their open forum night on Aug. 26 and PSR has recruitment events on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
NPHC Intake
NPHC sororities have private recruitment specific to each chapter. PNMs will go through an intake process selection before an induction ceremony, which is open to the public.
“My favorite memory of recruitment would have to be my induction ceremony. My aunt, who I am a legacy through, showed up for my induction ceremony so I actually got the first embrace from my aunt,” Moore said.
CPH recruitment
CPH sorority recruitment is similar in structure to the Alabama rush TikToks. Recruitment is four days, with an orientation and then three themed rounds: philanthropy, sisterhood and preference.
PNMs are guided by recruitment counselors who are ‘in silence’ and do not reveal their letters until bid day.
“We always say we lose our letters to help you find yours,” Thompson said.
Following the preference round is bid day, where girls will “run home,” introducing themselves and what chapter they will be joining.
For sisters in silence, like Zazueta and Thompson, they will also get to run home.
“I will be ending my college career the way I started it by running back home to my chapter,” Zazueta said.
