We’ve all heard of the horror stories about fraternity pledging – not going to lie; hazing at UVA is a reality. It’s common knowledge that boys pledging isn’t exactly what one would call “fun.” While girls spend their first few months in a sorority going to sister bonding events that consist of movie nights and frozen yogurt trips, boys spend their first few months going to brother bonding events that aren’t quite as enjoyable. But perhaps it all evens out?
Sorority rush consists of girls going from house to house and having conversation after conversation with dozens of girls for a week in the middle of January. While this is not generally considered a bad experience, having to wait outside sorority houses dressed up in heels in the freezing cold isn’t particularly enjoyable either. On the other hand, fraternity rush consists of boys partying for three straight weeks, to the point where rushees are so exhausted from rush events that they choose to stay in and rest any chance that they get. These events range from “regular” parties to date functions, casino nights to fight nights, and even road trips to sketchy strip clubs in West Virginia and Atlantic City. In the sense that rush is a tiring process, sorority and fraternity recruitment are very similar. However, hardly anyone will argue that girls rush is more fun than guys rush.
But, after sorority recruitment ends and the girls receive their bids, they’re almost immediately rewarded with sisterhood and fun bonding events. Unfortunately for boys, it’s not that simple. Rather than being instantly inducted into the brotherhood, they have to go through a different kind of bonding event – an intense pledging process that requires them to do almost anything a brother desires. This includes activities such as cleaning the frat house (especially after parties), repainting, gardening, lineups, driving brothers around, serenading sorority girls, working the door and bar at parties, wearing ridiculous outfits, early morning workouts, carrying pledge packs, living in the house for a few days, drinking copious amounts of certain liquids, some hazing that I’m not at liberty to discuss, and basically whatever a brother wants a pledge to do, whenever he wants it. While sorority girls may be able to pick and choose events, fraternity pledging is a huge time commitment that is non-negotiable and lasts all semester. So enjoy your frozen yogurt ladies, and hope that your pledging friends make it out alive.