A Virtual Greek Life Recruitment

Jesse Cook, SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Greek life at Syracuse University is making a return to normalcy. Rush is happening, but participants must meet virtually over Zoom calls and through pre-recorded information sessions.

Rushing individuals oftens see entire days fill up with fraternity or sorority-related events, all from inside their dorm.

First-year psychology major Kylee Tyndall said that some aspects of this year’s rush are simpler than in years past. She said, “I feel like it was a lot easier to get dressed for rush because I didn’t have to get all the snow gear on, I was able to be in my room.”

She also indicated that the work of these organizations will not change once new members are admitted. “It’s a big deal to help everyone and all of the philanthropies are amazing, so regardless of what sorority I get into, it’s going to be very uplifting to help people,” said Tyndall.

For some, the new experience has felt incredibly impersonal. Freshman political science major Yael Handler said that, while he does not blame anyone for the circumstances, he wishes he could meet fraternity representatives in-person. He said, “There is something to be said about how personal it can be, and I think that is what I’m missing, so yes, I’m missing out, but it’s not their fault, of course.”

With an entire array of events in which to partake, participants must stick to a tight schedule. Tyndall outlined a normal rush day, explaining, “Usually you do—like speed date—for five five minutes and we had to submit a three-minute video about ourselves back in December, and then we had to watch five-minute videos from every sorority and then decide what our top nine were.”

With an entirely virtual signup process, the new and revamped rush is still in full swing.