By Brandon Marshall
In November, all 26 sororities of the National Panhellenic Conference passed an unanimous agreement that asked colleges to “denounce the participation of undergraduate Greek women in men’s formal recruitment.”
Because of that, members of the nine sororities on Elon’s campus governed by the NPC can no longer be present when new members receive invitations to join a fraternity. The decision would prevent women from possibly influencing new male members’ decisions in choosing a fraternity.
Elon’s Greek Life Director Shana Plasters understands the disappointment some students are expressing, but said she will be abiding by the national decision.
“Whenever you involve members of the opposite sex in that process, you’re jeopardizing your ability to say that you’re a single sex organization,” Plasters said.
Elon senior and fraternity member, Jay Light, understands the decision of NPC but still disagrees.
“I don’t think it jeopardizes any decision process or anything like that,” Light said. “It’s up to the guys ultimately to make their choice. I didn’t choose my fraternity because girls were telling me to join it. I chose it on my own accord.”
Men’s recruitment has been a popular Elon Greek Life tradition to watch in the past, and Plasters hopes that students will establish new traditions that will keep fraternities and sororities separate during recruitment offers.
