Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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RUSH A Different Opportunity It began innocently enough. A meeting here, a committee there, an interview, and on and on. The preparations began before the last semester ended. Nancy Holt, assistant director of Student Activities said, each sorority submitted a detailed report for their fall rush program by April of the last school year. This let each group get organized over the summer. Many of the sororities did just that by con- ducting summer retreats to work on skits and pre- pare scenery. Those that remained during summer session completed much of the busy work then. In the fall everyone arrived the first day the dorms opened to put the final preparations into action. This offered a special chance for each sorority to renew relationships and catch up on summer news. During these few days floors were decorated, and costumes gathered. Skits were rehearsed again and again. Letters were painted, name tags drawn and cut, balloons blown up, gowns ironed, and can- dles counted. The days begin at 8:00 and may end around midnite. In the girls ' spare time they un- packed and tried to make their rooms convey a mes- sage about themselves. One special group of girls served as Rush Coun- selors — Rho Chi ' s. These girls went before a selec- tion board, completed interviews and attended training sessions during spring semester. The morn- ing of the first rush party they disaffiliated from their sororities. For the next five days they lived in a motel room with another counselor not in their so- rority. They could not speak or even acknowledge anyone in their organization, especially in front of rushees. The Rho Chi ' s purpose was to answer ques- tions rushees had concerning any of the sororities, and taking the girls from party to party. Being Rho Chi ' s gave each girl a chance to see her organization and the others operate from the outside — it in- creases their objectivity concerning their own group, said Nancy Holt. The same process begins again and again. For the many women who go through rush it signifies a new beginning; for the actives, it is a regeneration of their sorority. In the end everyone involved exper- ienced a different opportunity in college life. Below: A Phi Mu completes information cards on rushees before the parties begin.

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Above Left: Nancy Thomas works in the deli section at Kroger ' s. Many busi- nesses in Richmond employ University students. Above: A member from the Association of Law Enforcement helps to renovate the Marc Center by refur- bishing desks for clients and staff to use. Left: Sue Chenault, Director of the Chamber of Commerce; Kim Dobing, an Eastern intern for the Chamber and Mary King, a past intern and present employee review the plans for the Gold- en Leaf Days Festival developed by a University public relations class. Oppo- site Left: Some members from the Bap- tist Student Union visit one of the local nursing homes in the community. Student Life 21

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Left: Crepe paper forms the backdrop for the Delta Zeta rush parties in the Herndon Lounge. Above: Name tags, an important ingredient in getting to know rushees, are prepared by Pi Phi actives. Below: Letters painted on actives ' windows help rushees learn where each sorority is located. Photos by Paul Lambert Student Life 23