Why Rush?
by: John Mohrmann ‘10, Kappa Alpha Order PresidentHere at Hampden-Sydney College, we value tradition. We value the idea that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ so why are we trying to progressively restructure every aspect of fun on this campus? I speak of the problems facing Fraternity Circle. I speak of the deep-rooted tradition of fraternities, which are going down hard and fast.
This summer, a week before the freshmen made their first ascent onto the Hill, all of the Fraternity Presidents met to talk about how we could restore a positive outlook towards fraternities that had been stained by past years’ predicaments. We felt that our image had been unjustly reduced in the past few years and decided that it was time we took the initiative to correct this aged misrepresentation.
We implemented an array of reforms to help with our cause. We created a positive rush campaign that displayed the productive side of fraternities, highlighting good students, athletes, and student leaders that are in fraternities. We also developed a rush-brother tutor program, where members of fraternities volunteer to help freshmen with their studies. And of course, we attempted to reach out to the faculty so that we could finally erase that image of fraternities that burn books and break bottles all day.
With so much effort exerted in trying to bolster the image of Fraternity Circle, I find myself ambivalent to the idea that it was all worth it. The Circle has become a battlefield of restrictions, violations, and fear. Among other rules, fraternities have been limited to the use of their bunker on weekdays, forced to submit to rigorous house maintenance standards, and most importantly, the school has greatly limited the rush period for freshmen. You see, the school has, through the powers of administrative interpretation, decided to enforce a rule that freshmen are not allowed on the Circle during the week. With dwindling numbers over the past few years, this restriction may be the final blow.
The process of rush is completely reliant on the ability to individually interact with freshmen, so that one can better get to know them. Much to the disbelief of many, rush is least effective at a party (on the weekends), but rather, rush is more beneficial during the downtime, when there is time to converse and become acquainted. Without weeknights, we won’t be able to effectively and efficiently rush the plentiful supply of freshmen that deserves every opportunity.
As the rule states, freshmen caught on the circle on a weeknight face a potential punishment of being denied the ability to pledge for his first three semesters. So picture an innocent freshman that might be playing video games and meeting a few brothers on a Tuesday night being unable to pledge for a year and a half. Sounds like the school is forcing kids to transfer, since the “guilty” freshmen will be simply damaged goods.
But it doesn’t stop there. The fraternity that gets caught with freshmen on the Circle during a weeknight faces 60 days of social closing, a severe punishment that would basically end that fraternity’s social semester, not to mention its rush opportunity. As for another inequality, when a fraternity is caught hazing, they only face a first offense of a $500 fine. What kind of message is that sending? It’s fine to haze kids if you’ve got the cash, but if you’re trying to introduce freshmen into a brotherhood that they will be apart of for life, then we’re going to have to shut you down.
This is where it gets really bad for fraternities. Since the freshmen aren’t allowed down on the weeknights, they venture down on the weekends, where they find those fun (but expensive) parties hosted by fraternities. The freshmen arrive to the houses and see a soup of athletes, GDIs, girls, other freshmen, and of course, fraternity members. When freshmen see everyone hanging out at the party cohesively, having great fun at no direct cost to them, then why would they want to join a fraternity and submit to a semester of pledging, all while picking up the bill for everyone else?
I’m not suggesting that fraternities lock their doors to those that aren’t members, absolutely not. What I am suggesting is that the school is stripping fraternities of their marketability. We have no way of enticing possible brothers to come down and socialize without the lure of a party. There is no longer a privilege to being in a fraternity. We pay the bill, and then as if it wasn’t enough, we are also responsible for the actions of everyone at the party.
Ultimately, I ask why rush, when you can live out your days at Hampden-Sydney College just enjoying the independent life? I mean, I wouldn’t want to jump on a ship as it is sinking, either.
S.O.S.
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