By: Brie White, Staff Writer
It is no secret that sorority recruitment ran a little differently this year. Whilst traditionally recruitment occurs in the fall, this year, a year of transition, had two recruitments, one in both the fall and spring. Next year, recruitment will only take place in the spring semester.
This change has already been outlined in The Old Gold and Black; however, post this spring recruitment, the women holding positions in charge of recruitment for their sororities have agreed to weigh in.
Celia Bressler of Kappa Alpha Theta, Rebecca Bonham of Delta Delta Delta, Sami Bernstein of Zeta Tau Alpha and Catherine Ann Early of Kappa Delta all represent their individual chapters in terms of recruiting new members. They deal intricately with planning recruitment parties, relaying information to both Wofford authorities and their perspective sorority’s nationals and the general execution of all recruitment events and practices.
In terms of communication with Wofford, there was the general consensus that this recruitment was a challenge; however, this was oftentimes attributed to the nature of a new process, rather than any one particular party at fault.
“I think that for a spring recruitment, we are going to need a lot better communication between the Recruitment Directors and Wofford Greek Life. There will be more time for edits and alterations next year, but I definitely think it would be beneficial to work on communication and earlier deadlines and information,” says Bressler.
Bonham says, “While a lot of information was not given as early as I would have liked, I felt like the process of how it would all work was explained in the best way possible. I know it was a new experience for everyone involved, so it was hard to give and receive information on both sides. Wofford was very good about answering all of my questions and giving me the help I needed.”
Communication with nationals proved less difficult, as most, if not all of these sororities have other chapters who participate in deferred recruitment.
“Kappa Delta Headquarters was very helpful in giving us advice to help us transition. Other chapters nearby, like Furman’s, have deferred recruitment as well,” says Early.
Bressler mentions an Educational Leadership Consultant delegated from Nationals “who gave insight and information needed for the best possible recruitment with so little details.”
Much of the conversations surrounding spring vs. fall recruitment weigh pros and cons. Cons consisted of “not knowing how many girls were going to go through the recruitment process until a very late date,” says Early.
Bernstein presents scheduling as a major concern.
“My officer turnover was at the first of the year, and you can’t start planning for something as detailed and time consuming as recruitment a month out. . . it definitely affected my academics.”
However, all four Recruitment Directors agreed that a major bonus of spring recruitment surrounds the idea of potential new members getting to know each chapter better.
“Time tells what sororities are about, and it takes out some of the superficial aspects. Potential new members have more time to see where their home should be and more time to get to know each other.”
