One week of each year, students are likely to see red and white, pink and green or blue and white decorations covering the railings and buildings of Florida A&M’s campus.
This week is commonly thought of as Rush Week.This is the time when students are able to visit and meet with each of the sororities and fraternities before deciding which one they wish to return their applications to. However, the idea of Rush Week is a common misconception for FAMU sororities. Unlike at Florida State and other colleges, there is no Rush Week on campus.
According to Sheree Oates, first vice president of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the interest meetings FAMU organizations conduct are similar to Rush Week but are not the same.
“FAMU doesn’t have a Rush Week like you would see at other schools, but the Office of Student Activities dictates that organizations must have their interest meetings during a certain time frame,” Oates said. “But you will not see a week set out with a schedule of dates and times to meet the members or visit any of the houses.”
Traditionally, fall rush is held the week before school starts and is a lottery-style pick that is open to all students, including incoming freshmen. During this week, women are invited to visit the sorority houses to meet members and get a feel of the organization.
Brandi Tatum, Greek Life coordinator, said Rush Week is an event more often seen at predominantly white institutions. FAMU students must be eligible to participate in Greek activities.
“In order for students to participate in Greek life, FAMU requires that they have completed at least 30 credit hours and currently have a minimum 2.5 GPA, although different sororities can require a higher GPA in order to be accepted,” Tatum said.
Requirements to participate in extracurricular activities are listed in the student handbook, which can be accessed on the university’s website.
Fiona Washington, a junior pharmacy student from Charleston, S.C., said she didn’t know about FAMU’s unique Greek Rush process.
“I always thought it was called Rush Week because all of the sororities held their informational meetings during the same week, but I wasn’t aware that the processes were so different,” Washington said.
To find out more information about the Interfraternity or National Panhellenic councils, visit the www.famu.edu or contact Tatum in the Office of Student Activities.