Sorority rush to stay in spring

The Panhellenic Association last night voted against moving formal sorority rush from the spring to the fall. The resolution to move rush, discussed at Panhel's bi-weekly meeting, failed to earn the approval of six of the eight houses -- the three-quarters majority that is required to change rush procedure. Members said last night that were certain the proposal would not pass, although it was hotly debated in some houses. Each house received one vote, and sorority members decided which way to vote during house meetings before the Panhel meeting last night. Panhel President Anita Hsueh said that sorority members voiced opposition after the proposal was made at the last Panhel meeting two weeks ago. During an open forum at the September 26 meeting, several sorority members sharply criticized the idea of moving rush to the fall. They said that the move would not allow women to become involved in other activities before pledging a sorority and would therefore hamper each house's diversity. Some sorority members said that they would not have rushed until their sophomore year if rush had been held in the fall. But supporters of moving rush said the change could increase the amount of time sorority members would be actively involved in the house, and would reduce some sororities' negative stereotypes. "A lot of houses could have gained from fall rush, but houses weighed the advantages with the disadvantages," Panhel President Hsueh said last night. The proposal to move rush originated among last year's sorority presidents. Hsueh said that most of them wanted to change rush last year, but did not have time to do so. A sorority may hold rush during both fall and spring if it needs to take in more members. During formal rush, a series of three groups of parties are held during the second week of the spring semester. Rushes must attend parties at all eight Panhel sororities.

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