Spring rush has begun at the University of Rhode Island, bringing new excitement to the Kingston Campus as chapters welcome potential members.
Two hundred girls are vying for a spot during this year’s spring rush, a stark contrast to the 800 girls who rushed this past fall, according to Trinity O’Neill, a fourth-year double major and vice president of recruitment at URI’s Panhellenic Council. Fraternity recruitment also saw a decrease in numbers, having typically 150-200 bids in the spring compared to 350 bids in the fall.
“The spring is a lot less formal and has fewer rules,” O’Neill said. “Girls have the opportunity to meet all the houses and then move on to invite-only events like coffee dates.”
In the fall, sororities follow a formal recruitment process that includes in-person bid days and structured events, according to O’Neill. Rather than large formal gatherings, sororities opt for smaller, less formal events as they can get to know potential members.
While fraternity recruitment in the fall features large events such as “Seas the Day,” spring weather limits the amount of outdoor activities. “Spring Freek Day,” also called “Meet the Greeks,” was held in the Ram’s Den this spring.
Keegan Zelano, a third-year engineering major and director of recruitment at URI’s Interfraternity Council, thinks the approach of spring rush is important.
“As fraternities start to get to know students, they narrow their focus to really look into the character of potential members,” Zelano said.
Both O’Neill and Zelano said they spend months in advance preparing for recruitment events. O’Neill manages tasks like designing t-shirts, planning themes for bid days and preparing recruitment vice presidents. Zelano ensures that fraternity recruitment aligns with chapter goals and is structured, all while balancing work with classes.
“My biggest focus was school,” Zelano said. “Someone had once told me, ‘It’s only as easy as it’s ever going to get now.’”
Despite his initial skepticism about joining a fraternity, Greek Life has been transformative, according to Zelano.
“I’ve met people who push me to do better and have become my closest friends,” Zelano said. “There aren’t many opportunities like this at URI outside of Greek Life.”
O’Neill resonated with Zelano’s statement and said Greek Life provides leadership roles.
“I’ve had the best four years, and I really attribute a lot of that to Greek Life,” O’Neill said. “It’s honestly so worth it.”
Spring rush bidding will wrap up in April.
For more information on event dates and sorority rush guidelines, access the Panhellenic Council’s campus director site through the Greek Life section of the URI website. Find fraternity events and bidding details on its campus director site, also linked on URI’s website.