It has been the topic of dinner conversations at every table at Home Plate for the past week. It's been plaguing the minds of sophomore women from East Wheelock to the River Cluster. It has wreaked havoc in wardrobes all across campus and swept through the dressing rooms at the Gap like hurricane Andrew. It's RUSH. For those of you who didn't experience Sorority Rush '96 firsthand, we'll fill you in.
Polina Says: Ever since my Undergraduate Adviser, God bless her soul, took me to the basement of her sorority and taught me the strategies and crucial skills that allow one to thrive and prosper in all prominent social circles at Dartmouth (a.k.a. -- how to play beer pong), I knew sisterhood was in my immediate future. So when my totally awesome, socially gifted roommate told me she burned her "As Women We Stand" rush pamphlet describing each and every step all rushees must take before they embark on the voyage to sisterhood, I sat her down and made her memorize mine.
Carolyn Says: I can't believe it's over. My cheeks are still numb from smiling for eight hours every night for the past week, and my feet have more blisters than there are pages I haven't read for English 54 because I was too busy sprinting across campus from Kappa Kappa Gamma to Tri-Delt. I never thought I would join a sorority, but I decided to rush because my roommate thought it would be the center of her soon-to-be-raging social life, and, well, she's the coolest person I know.
Polina Says: Don't get me wrong, I couldn't wait for rush week to be over, but I wasn't worried. I had bought all my outfits for rounds one, two and three during the summer and was ready for any question a sister could possibly ask me. However, I was almost thrown for a loop when a sister at my favorite sorority said, "What's the craziest thing you've ever done?" I was all ready to say, "Hi, I'm Polina. I'm majoring in Econ, minoring in Psych, I write a humor column for The D, I live in North Fayer and I really want to join a sorority because I think it's so important to have a network of girlfriends." But instead I had to relive the memory of freshman week when I was walking down the treacherous aisle in Food Court searching for my UGA group and I tripped on a book bag and my tray went flying in the air, hitting a really scary-looking football player. But I digress. I was almost having a good time getting to know the sisters when I looked over and saw my roommate looking like she was in hell.
Carolyn Says: First of all, I had nothing to wear to rush. Good thing my roommate worked retail this summer and knew her way around. I was perfectly happy wearing my worn-in jeans with a plethora of holes and my favorite t-shirt, but my roommate thought otherwise. When we got to the Gap, my whole rho chi group was in front of me in line for the dressing room holding the same skirt and blouse. So much for originality. By round three, I had a sore throat from screaming in the crowded houses, my legs were frozen from walking in sub-zero weather in a summer dress every night, and I knew that if I had to hear the difference between a local and national sorority one more time, I swear I was going to rip off my name tag and throw it in the punch bowl. When pref night, the last night of rush, rolled around, I was so excited for the process to be over that I ran to Rockefeller, grabbed my pref card, and ranked my top choices in the order that the names of the houses came in the Greek alphabet. On my way out, I happened to glance at my roommate who brought three #2 pencils, a scientific calculator, a box of tissues, and a notepad to make lists of the pros and cons for each and every house. I said, "Hurry up and make up your mind because I want to go home and order breadsticks."
Despite the trials and tribulations of rush, there's a lot to be said in favor of the whole sorority system. Carolyn Says: "It might be annoying to wear your prom dress five nights in a row and to engage in the same conversation with every sister that you meet, but I would never have had the opportunity to meet so many outstanding women any other way ... and I also got some new outfits." Polina says, "My experience this week only confirmed my admiration for the intelligent, strong women that make up the Dartmouth sorority system. I am now more convinced than ever that they only serve to enhance the Dartmouth community ... and now I also know a few more women who are willing to buy for me." C and P both say: "It was worth it."
