2008 Woodie Awards
Ancient greek life, pledges few and far between
Brittany Raine
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: News
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With a poor turnout at Greek week, many sororities and fraternities slowly dwindle away, facing a slow and painful death.
As Greek week commenced, brothers and sisters of every organization eagerly hoped for an admirable rush attendance.
"It was shocking how so few students came out to rush this semester," said Kristen Lovering, Kappa Phi, junior, North Massapequa, N.Y.
"The Greek life at Sacred Heart is facing a cruel reality and many of our organizations may die out do to poor rushing numbers."
From open bidding to ice cream socials, the sororities and fraternities are doing everything in their power to attract fellow students to their organizations.
The declining numbers in Greek life are a major concern and are on every brothers and sisters mind.
"Some of the sororities and fraternities may die out sooner than others and it is truly disheartening," said Jamie Congilose, Nu Epsilon Omega, junior, Tom's River, N.J.
"Greek life would not be the same without one of its organizations. Our sororities and fraternities work because we have each other."
The sororities and fraternities are a family and aid in exemplifying what Sacred Heart stands for.
With previous pledging practices in question and many senior members of Greek life graduating in May, the organizations are reaching out to student life with open arms.
"No one should be intimated by any of the Greek organizations," said Congilose.
"I try to encourage students to come out and meet Greek life, there is more to us than what meets the eye. Forget the stereotypes; really get to know what we stand for and what each organization represents.
"What many people do not know is that we need rushes to keep our organizations thriving," said Lovering.
"Greek life is a passionate tradition. To keep this tradition alive, it is up to the students to take interest."
The drastic decrease of rushing and pledging students this semester can be linked to the change of formal rush from the fall to the spring. Greek life members see deferred rush as an even bigger problem in the near future.
"As the years pass the numbers in Greek life are diminishing," said Congilose.
"The low numbers can not be solely blamed on formal spring rush, but I believe that in the spring, many freshman are comfortable where they are and who their social groups are. Giving up eight weeks of the spring semester to pledge is challenging, but little do many know that you receive more than you could ever imagine in return."
These brothers and sisters for life, have made of memories and bonded by a unique love, and will continue to fight for the Greek organizations in jeopardy.
The fall and spring semesters of next year holds new hope for Greek life and a distinctive tradition waiting to grow.