Morgan Myer, psychology major from Richardson, was not entirely sure she wanted to pledge to a social club when she signed up for rushing during her sophomore year at ACU.
Yet through rushing, Myer came to realize that social clubs were much more inclusive than they were credited to be, Myer said. She created lasting bonds with women – even if they didn’t join the same club that she did.
Now in her senior year and serving as the president of GATA, Myer says she is excited to meet another new group of students as this year’s rushes begin. She looks forward to passing on the traditions that have endured on campus for decades.
The deadline to register for pledging is Sunday for women and Sept. 18 for men, with teas for women taking place Sunday and rushes for all prospective pledges beginning Monday.
Rushes are an opportunity for students with sophomore hours or higher to explore the different social clubs on campus without the pressure to commit to any, said Mark Jackson, associate director of student activities and programs.
Each of the eleven social clubs has about four rounds of rushes, Jackson said. Students who are registered for rushes can attend any and all of the clubs’ first rushes and get to know the clubs and their members. The later rushes are by invitation only, Jackson said.
Social clubs give students an opportunity to experience everything that ACU has to offer, Jackson said. They participate in campus activities and outreaches and foster bonds that transcend normal relationships. Jackson said he hopes every student will consider signing up for rushes.
“There’s a social club for each and every student who wants to pledge,” Jackson said.
Rushing was the time when Galaxy president Graham Sensing, senior marketing major from Abilene, was able to explore the social clubs and discover firsthand which club members and officers he most respected. He hopes students will take the opportunity to form their opinions of social clubs based on their own personal experiences.
“Rush is a time to be open minded and meet all the clubs and to try to see where your best fit would be,” Sensing said. “Set stereotypes aside and meet the guys at the social clubs yourself.”
Women have the opportunity to become acquainted with all of the female clubs at the Teas, which will take place from 1:30-5 p.m. on Sunday in Hart Auditorium. Those rushing will be able to rotate through the clubs and spend 35 minutes with each, said Delta Theta President Chelsea Bayer, senior elementary education major from Carrollton.
Students must have an accumulative GPA of 2.5 to qualify for rushing. Rushes will last from Monday-Sept. 16 with bids to be announced on Sept. 22, Jackson said.
Myer said she has never regretted her decision to sign up for rushing. GATA has been a family to her, and Myer said the friendships she has made there are worth all of the time and energy she has spent with the club.
“I met a whole group of girls I know I’d have never met,” Myer said. “We really became sisters.”
Students can register for rush at www.acu.edu.
