The Greek system’s annual Winter Rush period kicked off this week with the presence of a new sorority and the absence of a longtime fraternity.
The ladies of Alpha Delta Pi began their first formal rush as the former members of NU’s Sigma Chi chapter sat out, having lost their charter in August.
ADPi brought in outside help for rush since none of the approximately 30 members have recruited members before, said ADPi member Lisa Glennon.
She said the international ADPi president and vice president and ADPi alumnae from the area and from nearby colleges are coming to NU.
ADPi sisters will “be paired with alumnae from another school so we won’t be rushing by ourselves,” she said.
But sheer growth is not the main goal of ADPi, Glennon said.
“We would like our chapter to grow, but (ADPi) has certain characteristics we look for in girls,” she said. “It’s more about quality versus quantity.”
As the young sorority looks to add members, former Sigma Chis said they are sad about missing Winter Rush.
“I’ve heard a lot of disappointment from the freshmen who would like to have rushed the house,” former president Billy Hightower said. “Rush week was always fun.”
Sigma Lambda Gamma, a Latina sorority that formed last year, will rush girls shortly after rush ends Sunday, said Michelle Noda, SLG president. The sorority now has 12 members.
SLG is holding an informational session Wednesday at Norris. The sorority will take applications and interview rushees afterward.
Rushees trekked through snowdrifts to information forums Wednesday to learn about NU’s Greek system.
Interfraternity Council President Dustin Cook said about 200 students attended the IFC-coordinated fraternity rush forum. Potential rushees met people from each of the 17 rushing houses and got meal coupons to use throughout the week.
Fraternities serve lunch and dinner to potential brothers and hold special events and activities each night.
Activities are set to include Game Show Night at Chi Phi on Friday, Arcade Night at Sigma Epsilon on Saturday, a Sunday car demolition at Phi Kappa Sigma and Chi Psi’s Monster Truck Night on Sunday.
“We’re pleased with the way things are going thus far,” said John Downey, vice president of recruitment for IFC. “We haven’t had any problems, but we have until Sunday night.”
About 550 females are rushing, said Rho Chi Coordinator Jeanette Nelson, a Medill senior. Bids will be given out Tuesday.
Fraternity and sorority rushees said there were a variety of reasons for rushing.
“There are a bunch of girls in my dorm who basically all said they weren’t going to rush at the beginning of Fall Quarter,” said Jaime Huling, a Weinberg freshman. “And they’ve now decided it’s worth trying because it’s a great way to meet people outside of the dorm.”
She said that because NU was a large school, sororities made it easier to meet people and learn about social and philanthropic events.
Rushee Nick Scacco said he decided to rush because he’s friends with many of the people in Sigma Nu and because he wants to stay on campus next year.
Scacco, a Weinberg sophomore, said he has enjoyed shooting pool and throwing darts with his potential Sigma Nu brothers this week. He also said he has enjoyed the gourmet food.
“It’s been nice to get a good meal,” Scacco said. “It’s hard to come back to the dorm food.”
