Well, you say you meant no personal offense, but your posts are full of offensive stereotypes (snobbish and infantilizing, among others). I’m not going to get into a debate with you about Greek life, and there is plenty to criticize, but your experience with Greek life appears to be limited to your daughter’s second-hand experience. I could go on and on about all the accomplished people I know who were a part of Greek life, including one of my closest friends from my sorority who is now a pediatric cardiologist at UM hospital, but I sense you would dismiss that as anecdotal at best. You are right - to each his own. Try matching that sentiment by not judging what you may not have direct experience with.
maya54, after thinking long and hard about it, I agree, especially on a large campus. One of the biggest problems I realize, now, is housing. Either the kids go Greek, get an apartment, or enter the (not guaranteed) lottery for upperclassmen housing in dorms. These freshmen–especially those who know from the start they aren’t going Greek–start deciding on roommates and hunting for apartments in September, shortly after they’ve just arrived (and barely know anyone well or the lay of the land) for their sophomore year. I feel sorry it has to be so soon. Obviously, they can’t commit to an apartment only to Rush in January and then have a housing conflict. There is no perfect schedule, but I would prefer the kids start school knowing if they are Greek or not, by doing it like other big schools in the south who have the “Pre-Greeks” arrive a week earlier than those not participating. Get it done without the stress of classes. No, they will not know anyone, but they barely do under this scenario either. My daughter went to a Pref Party tonight and then back to her dorm stressing about needing to get a paper finished and turned in by midnight. Yes, after they join they will always have academic conflicts with Greek obligations, but eliminating the initial stress of rushing during academic classes seems like a reasonable change, especially at Michigan since they start classes later than many other state schools.
Okay…I apologize. I have no idea why my comment posted where it did. I hit “reply” to maya54’s post about why it’s better that Michigan doesn’t host rush during second semester after kids have formed friendship groups (which will get divided) the entire first semester. I no longer see her post. Maybe the posts are related in the same thread?
@SwimMomRuns. First I totally sympathize with you and hope your daughter ends up as happy in Greek Life as mine is. I will say that despite the stress of Rush, Greek Life has been wonderful for my daughter. The sorority has been very supportive of her demanding academic schedule.
I could not agree more that having rush before school starts would be great. Having to worry about a paper on Pref night stinks!
If there is a special rush week, A good idea would be to schedule some fun events at the same time for those who end up dropping out of Rush so that these kids can bond too and take some of the sting out of any disappointment.
By the way my original post is on page 1 of this thread.
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