NORTHRIDGE : Freshmen Rush for CSUN Frats and Sororities

As Kimberly Smith sat holding a torn-open white envelope, she couldn’t help but smile about the contents within. This was no ordinary invitation.

Printed on the tiny piece of paper was Smith’s acceptance to the Delta Delta Delta sorority, her first choice among six on the Cal State Northridge campus.

“At first, I didn’t want to join,” admitted the freshman. “But I thought about how I really don’t talk to my friends from high school anymore and thought this would be a good way to meet people.”

Smith was one of more than two dozen young women picked for the sorority’s fall pledge group who participated in rush week at CSUN.

Rush week is the official introduction to Greek life. Sororities and fraternities hold elaborate parties and other activities over a five-day period to attract hundreds of prospective members.

Those who take part start the week by attending an open forum, where they get an idea of what the Greek system has to offer. This year, they heard pitches from the six sororities as well as twice as many fraternities. Several parties were held at each Greek house so members could get a feel for the group they wanted to join.

“Every (sorority) house is different,” said Frances Villalobos, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. “During rush, we try to draw in members of all ethnicities and personalities and show them how much our sorority has to offer.”

While it may look like an excuse to party, these Greeks take rush week seriously.

Some members say that “going Greek” provides a constant in a student’s life and builds long-lasting friendships.

Vincent Chan of Sigma Alpha Epsilon believes a fraternity is more than just a “social corporation.” It prepares members for the real world.

“It’s a valuable learning process unequal to that of a classroom,” he said. “You have to experience it to believe it.”

But it’s the social side of the Greek campus life that lured freshman Kris Pincheira to Pi Kappa Phi. “Chicks and brewskies” will be easy to find at the many parties the fraternity will hold this year, he said.

Future social events on the Greek agenda include homecoming, formals, fraternity and sorority mixers and chapter celebrations.

“But it’s not just a social thing,” said Igor Shalkevick, president of Zeta Beta Tau. “It’s a way to integrate all types of people.”