Toga parties, frat houses, and all out debauchery are the stereotyped images of Greek Life. Forget all that with Sacred Heart, as the fall rush is a relatively small event.

Some students don't even realize that during the fall semester of each academic year that there is in fact a Greek rush process. It usually just flies under the radar of the average college student. Some students actually thought that rush didn't take place last fall because it was so quiet.

"Fall rush is informal. Only returning students can participate so the numbers are smaller," said Jane Sanders, the Coordinator of Greek Life.

Freshmen cannot participate in the fall rush because of a policy that has been put in place by the University the year Sanders took up the post of Coordinator of Greek Life. The administration is looking out for the greater good of the SHU community.

"Freshmen can't rush in the fall to ensure that all new students, including transfers, get adjusted to Sacred Heart, including the academic community. It is important to know your Greek organizations first. We like to give you a semester to get settled," said Sanders.

There is no time like the present to get to know your Greek organizations here at SHU. There are currently eight active organizations - that is three active fraternities, and five active sororities.

The fraternities include Lambda Sigma Phi, Alpha Sigma Psi, Omega Phi Kappa, and Sigma Delta Chi.

The sororities include Phi Omega Tau, Beta Delta Phi, Zeta Iota Lambda, Kappa Phi, and Nu Epsilon Omega.

Sacred Heart University's Greek life is very unique in the fact that all the organizations are local, not nationally recognized chapters. These organizations give Sacred Heart an individuality that other Universities don't have.

"What is best about the organizations at SHU is when you join the organization, you know everyone and everyone knows you. It is a close, tight knit family. Being in a national is almost like going to a family picnic where you meet your 23rd cousin from the cast away side of the family.

"You just don't know everyone in your organization. You might share the same name but deep down you don't know anything about them," said Josh Sedlock, senior, Naugatuck, and VP of Greek Life.

The other great thing about our Greek Life is the fact that our organizations all have a cause or a purpose.

For example, Phi Omega Tau is dedicated to help AIDS research and they hold the annual Sacred Heart University AIDS walk.

National fraternities don't have that luxury of helping others while maintaining a great brotherhood or sisterhood.

It is that time of year, for returning students to take the opportunity to partake in Greek rush if they so desire. The Greeks are taking a different approach, to the rush process. This year they have rush representatives to assist in the process.

"My job is to recruit people to a sorority in general, not just mine. I want to get students involved," said Kristen Fitzpatrick, sophomore, Miller Place, L.I. "I personally joined Greek life because I wanted to be a part of something great."

With rush right around the corner for this semester and the planning for January's spring rush the Greek Life office is very hectic. Even with the rush representatives helping, Jane Sanders is a very active woman on campus this time of year.

"We are really excited about meeting potential members. We are hoping for a successful rush in January," said Sanders. "We encourage the freshmen to attend the various Greek Life events to ensure that you can make the right decision in the spring."

Keep an eye out for all Greek Life events on campus and if there are any questions, feel free to contact Jane Sanders at sandersj@sacredheart.edu. Happy rushing!