Spring is here, and it’s almost time for the spring All-Club Rush.
At 5 p.m. April 9, every social club will surround the GATA Fountain as potential pledges greet club members. Judging from the number of students that showed up for the pledge meeting, approximately 300 students are expected to attend the rush.
Last year, the pledging process was shortened from five weeks to three, and in years past, other changes have been made to the pledging and rushing process.
There won’t be any new changes enforced on the rushing process this year. However, this year’s All-Club Rush will be on a Thursday instead of a Monday.
“The reasoning behind that is two-fold,” said Mark Jackson, assistant director of student organizations and programs. “There are more Monday-night classes, and the turnaround from having the all-club rush on Monday to individual club rushes on Tuesday was too quick. This gives students more time to get ready for the rushes.”
This rush will officially kick off the rushing season and give future pledges a broad look at every club on campus in a combined setting. In years past, clubs have brought all sorts of food, games and fun to the rush, and thanks to springtime, weather should be decent.
Rushes allow students to test out different clubs without making a commitment to a particular group. There will be more individual-club rushes throughout the end of the semester and into the beginning of next semester.
“The advice I would give to students is be yourself, go to as many rushes as possible, be open-minded with each club and go to what fits you, not what your friends may or may not be doing,” Jackson said.
In the aftermath of club elections, clubs have introduced new teams of officers to lead their clubs.
Chera Chaney, president of Sigma Theta Chi, said she is looking forward to the rush.
“It’s a great chance for all the clubs to meet the guys and girls that are interested in pledging and for them to really get a feel for what club they’re wanting to pledge,” said Chaney, junior graphic design major from Merkel. “It’s always such a blast for all the clubs to be in one area together.”
