Recruitment thrives off campus

By Ryan Groshong

Santa Clara's greek system is seeing an increase this year in the number of rushees and pledges, despite its third year of disaffiliation with the university.

Over 200 women are planning to attend the three-day rush events for the sororities: Delta Gamma, Alpha Phi and Kappa Alpha Theta. This number is up significantly from last year's 140 rushees, according to Panhellenic President Lauren Hemingway.

Santa Clara's three social fraternities, Pi Kappa Alpha, California Phi and Sigma Pi, had at least 150 men rush between fall and winter quarter, also an increase from past years.

This surge in interest comes just three years after President Paul Locatelli, S.J., announced plans to phase out university support of the greek system, citing funding as a main concern. The decision barred greeks from holding future rush events on campus.

Since then, the fraternities and sororities have operated independently.

Pi Kappa Alpha president Michael Haro believes that the school's disassociation with the greek system has not had a negative effect.

"The school's lack of support does not bother me at all. The only reason I would want to use the school's facilities would be for our philanthropy events," Haro said. "It's a blessing not being associated with the school, one less authority to be hassled with."

Many students see the greek system as socially appealing.

"For me the loneliest time in my freshman year was when I got back from winter break and had gotten used to seeing all my old friends in Seattle again," Delta Gamma President Sally Showman said. "So I decided that going greek would be a great way to meet more girls through social activities and philanthropy."

Showman also spoke about ending stereotypes that she says often surround greek life.

"I know that there's that stereotype that sororities are only for bitchy, Jetta-driving, Tiffany's-wearing girls," Showman said. "I hate that stereotype more than anything and as president this year I've really tried to overcome it. There's so much more to it than that."

Many freshmen fraternity pledges enjoyed their rush experience.

"It was a great opportunity to meet a lot of cool guys and become social and interact with my peers," said freshman and Pi Kappa Alpha recruit Akram Elouche. "I like what the brotherhood is all about."

Freshman Megan Lyons is excited for rush week.

"I'm rushing to meet girls and have sisters that I never had before," she said.

Showman made a point to distinguish the social and educational benefits in sorority life.

"The girls who come for just the partying, those are the girls who end up de-activating, because they realize that it's about more than just partying," Showman said. "I've learned more as president of Delta Gamma this year than I have in a lot of classes I've taken at Santa Clara."

Some believe that Santa Clara may get a fourth sorority house if interest continues to grow.

"With the really high rush numbers this year it makes Santa Clara a strong candidate to get a fourth house wanting to come here in the next couple years," Alpha Phi President Christina Salvo said.

Though not every student participates in the greek system, Haro is optimistic about the role his fraternity plays in members' lives.

"We want to let guys have the chance to experience another way of college we only have four years, have some fun, no regrets," said Haro. "These guys in Pi Kappa Alpha are my best friends, and it was only through Pike that I would have met these guys. It's not for everyone and that's fine, but for those who want to subscribe to these concepts, that's what we offer."

* Contact Ryan Groshong at (408) 554-4546 or rgroshong@scu.edu.