Sororities might look into open rush policy

Sorority members would be able to communicate with potential members during rush if talks among the groups’ leaders come to action.

The national open policy — called the Panhellenic-spirited contact agreement — was one of several recommendations made by representatives of 26 organizations at the National Panhellenic Conference almost two years ago.

Members of the council passed the recommendations in 2003, and since then some universities, such as N.C. State University, have moved from closed to open rush.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s Panhellenic Council unanimously voted against such an open recruitment policy one month ago.

Panhellenic sororities traditionally have used closed recruitment, during which members of each of the nine groups are bound to silence about their respective houses.

Members of sororities also are not allowed to give gifts to potential members or to try to influence them in other ways. Such actions are known as “dirty rushing,” and chapters can be punished for them.

The open policy, on the other hand, allows sorority members and potential members to have more contact with each other both inside and outside sorority houses.

Kit MacLean, president of the Panhellenic Council, said the open format is supposed to create a more friendly and open environment for recruitment but added that there are also negative effects.

For example, students who come to UNC-CH and who already know members of one sorority could reduce other students’ chances of gaining membership.

She also said several people close to the situation would like to maintain the status quo.

“Overall, people would prefer to stay the same as it has always been,” she said.

She said that because the old system has worked well, people are reluctant to change it.

Liz Hancock, vice president of recruitment for the Panhellenic Council, said promoting Greek life is at the core of the open policy.

Hancock attended a conference examining open rush and will bring her knowledge to tonight’s meeting, to be held at 7:15 p.m. at the Chi Omega house.

Officials said the meeting is open to everyone, even those who are not in sororities.

Hancock said the open rush policy is effective and would add to the recruitment process.

Such a system would break down the wall between members and prospective members and make them more comfortable with each other, she said.

“It can only have positive aspects to it.”

MacLean said deciding whether to implement open rush will be a long process, and she is not certain if changes will take effect next year.

But she said the council is taking a good step by discussing the situation.

“It’s moving us in the right direction.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.