“Looks like I messed rush up.” This was the text message I had sent my now-friend and former Rho Chi about how winter rush went.
It had started well enough for me. I thought I knew what I was doing this time around, and I had a more informed and levelheaded approach heading into the week. My round two callbacks included four houses in which I could absolutely see myself and one where I did not feel as comfortable. I was optimistic about my prospects and excited to finally join a house after seeing so many of my friends do so in the fall. It never crossed my mind that the house where I would ultimately receive a bid would be the fifth house. Yet after spending many hours at rush parties, mulling over which places had made me feel at ease, and getting my hopes up, that is what happened.
Rumors about the computer system abound. Some say that the computer system allocates certain houses more potential new members, regardless of how they ranked these places, which causes quite a few women to be in the situation where they will receive a bid at either their top or bottom choice. Many agree that the computer seems arbitrary in its placements. However, no one has yet endeavored to clearly explain how the “magical computer algorithm” actually works.
On top of not understanding the computer system, women become anxious about knowing enough people and making good impressions on strangers. The inherent randomness of rush also forces some rushees to believe they must act disrespectfully in order to influence the outcome. Women hide in the bathrooms, act aloof and shove food in their mouth to avoid engaging in conversation at houses they do not like. They agonize over every word exchanged in the houses they like. And after days of nervous anticipation, this can all frustratingly be in vain.
Clearly, changes must be made. First, the computer algorithm must be better understood by all parties – including (the remaining) Panhell executives, who continue to espouse their ignorance of how it works, and Rho Chis who guide rushees through this process despite their own uncertainty. Second, any houses that have difficulties filling their pledge class should try remaining small and intimate and employ a fraternity-style shake-out process in lieu of the traditional one. Then, interested women could express their interest, sisters would not have to struggle with rushees trying to “escape” callbacks, and rushees would not find themselves pushed into a place where they do not feel comfortable.
Furthermore, rushees should be given the opportunity to indicate their top choice house before proceeding with round two parties at their other options, rather than waiting until preference night to decide whether or not to single intention, an allegedly risky move. It may also be worth considering allowing rushees to state one house to which they do not wish to be called back after round one — regardless of the what that house wants or the outcome of the computer algorithm. Currently, rushees transition from round one to round two by ranking their bottom three choices, but these preferences rarely guarantee that a rushee will not be called back to her bottom choice or choices. Ideally the rushees’ preferences would actually determine their round two invites.
While these minor suggestions would already go a long way toward making rush more equitable, there are more radical possibilities outside of the traditional rush process. Perhaps Dartmouth could open a ninth house to accommodate increased demand. Or, perhaps, we could employ an informal rush process for all houses and abolish this current system altogether. At the very least, there should be more events for freshmen to meet upperclassman women. These changes will not perfect rush, but they will actively seek to improve the system, rather than accepting the current system in all of its arbitrariness and unfairness.
I was told during rush that my preferences would be taken into account. I do not feel that they were. However, I also know that I am not the only woman who is not content with rush. Rush profoundly colors many women’s Dartmouth experience. Though rush will not resume until the fall, it would be in our best interest to continue this conversation. I hope that students and administrators will unite to create a system that better incorporates the needs and desires of the women who choose to rush.
Pomerantz is a guest columnist.
