The eight Panhellenic Council chapters kicked off the 1997 Greek Week with two open houses this weekend -- the first of their kind for Penn sororities. Panhel Vice President for Publicity Beth Linn said the event allowed non-sorority sisters to interact with members and start thinking about spring rush. College freshman Lisa Chang, who visited several sorority houses yesterday, said the event gave her "a feel for what sororities were all about." "I had a really good time," Chang said. "It was a nice study break and everyone was really nice." The event -- modeled after the InterFraternity Council's informal rush -- was the first Panhel open house. The sorority has previously held pre-rush activities in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge in November. But Panhel Vice President of Rush Jenny Wigman said that her organization decided to move the event to an earlier date in order to allow more time for rush registration, and so that the open houses could "revolve around Greek Week," which began Saturday. "In the beginning of the school year, many girls are curious about sororities," Wigman said. "We didn't want to hide our organization until January." Linn said that although past years' pre-rush events have been successful, they may have been "overwhelming" for many prospective pledges. The Delta Delta Delta sister said holding the event at the houses rather than in Bodek Lounge helped both the sisters and freshmen feel more at ease. Wigman, an Alpha Chi Omega sister and College senior, stressed that the Bodek Lounge events were often "really loud," while the open houses were more structured and relaxed. "There were a lot less people in one room," she said. "Everyone had a chance to talk to each other -- the dynamics were much different." Chang said that being able to visit the houses made the event "more meaningful." "It set the atmosphere," she said. "It gave us the opportunity to see what living in a sorority house is like." Wigman said the informal rush allowed Panhel to publicize upcoming programs -- including a self-defense training seminar and a women's health roundtable -- which will be open to the University. "We want all women to feel that they can participate, even if they are not a sorority sister." Wigman said. "By inviting them to our house, we want to let them know they are more then welcome to attend our activities." Although Panhel does not have an official count of those who attended the pre-rush events, Panhel President Jessica Lennon -- a College senior and Tri Delt sister -- said the open houses had "a pretty high turnout." Prospective pledges may also register for rush during Tuesday's "Meet the Greeks" on Locust Walk, as well as at various other locations before the December 1 deadline.
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