While the first couple weeks of the semester can be a hectic time for many students, those involved in the shortened Inter-Sorority Council recruitment process this week are facing new stress in addition to the frenzy to buy books and course-action into classes.
The ISC reduced its recruitment calendar from the traditional two weeks to just one week this year.
"It makes it easier on the sisters and potential members, aka 'rushees,' if we're only coinciding with two days of class instead of seven or nine," said Jessie Swisher, ISC vice president for recruitment. "Even though it's intense, it's not in-over-your-head stressful. It is time-intensive, but everyone can see that the end is near so it's less stressful."
As in past years, ISC recruitment began with "round robins" on Monday, two days before the first day of classes.
The rest of the recruitment schedule remains consistent with previous years, but was consolidated to span fewer days instead of having breaks in between rounds, Swisher said.
Tuesday also was devoted to round robins, during which potential members visit each of the 16 sorority houses. The next two days of recruitment -- yesterday and today -- are geared toward "themes," during which sororities perform various skits.
Tomorrow everyone has the day off, followed by house tours Saturday, "prefs" on Sunday when the rushees and the sororities make their decisions and bid day on Monday, Swisher said.
"There are a lot of other schools that have similar systems and have a week-long process, so we knew it was possible," she said.
The shortened process has not deterred potential members from participating in rush. The ISC has thus far seen a slight increase in rush numbers over past years, ISC President Cahill Zoeller said.
Zoeller said she attributes the increased participation to the ISC's enthusiastic outreach efforts, especially during summer orientation, during which members were able to reach incoming students and parents.
"There are a lot of women who are spending an exorbitant amount of hours at their [sorority] houses," Zoeller said. "Women have been practicing and preparing since November or perhaps earlier. It's a huge undertaking and the women are doing so well with it. We are really pleased."
Both Zoeller and Swisher said recruitment has been running smoothly thus far, despite the intensive schedule.
Alpha Chi Omega member Catie Edmunds, a third-year College student, said living in her sorority house has made this week slightly more stressful.
"It's pretty hard ... because your house becomes communal sorority property," Edmunds said. "It's hard to buy books and get your schedule organized."
Despite the stress, Edmunds said the change is for the better.
"It ends up being better for the girls in sororities and for first years because it only lasts a week," she said. "As long as you plan ahead, it'll work out."
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