Page 62 - To Dragma May 1930

MAY, 1930 59

Cfair 'pushing Qomes Cjfrom
Correct Understanding

By B E A T R I C E H E R R O N BROWN, Alpha Chi Omega

Chairman College Panhellenic Committee, N.P.C.

IT IS interesting, as we look back over the years, to note that the
first intersorority conference was called to talk over the question
of rushing and pledging. Although much has been accomplished
since then by the abolishment of pre-matriculation pledging, by the
establishment of a definite pledge day, and by the steady growth of the
short, open rushing plan, we still find some uncertainty on the part
of the college girls, a persistent desire now and then to experiment, and
a certain amount of misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

Early in the twentieth century the conference of fraternity women
favored a late pledge day and even urged the adoption of deferred
rushing. Within a few years this plan seemed so doubtful in its values
that a thorough investigation and study of the system was authorized.
The outcome of that study was so definite that the National Panhellenic
Congress officially went on record as favoring "the short open rushing
season and an early pledge day," the policy which has since been re-
affirmed by successive Congress boards. This system when properly
carried out promotes simplicity of rules and tends to eliminate petty,
binding regulations which cause confusion, dishonesty, annoyance, and
loss of respect for local and national Panhellenic. Along with this plan
the greatest need is for stability—for a stability that will build tradition
and public sentiment to checkmate the so-called "rushing evil."

One of the requisites of fair rushing is a complete understanding of
the eight short regulations of the Interfraternity Compact. Active mem-
bers and alumnee members need to review these and to clarify their un-
derstanding of some clauses. What is the interpretation of the "expired"
pledge, the "broken" pledge, and the "transferring" pledge? If our
vocabulary is purely used and if our mathematics is accurate, we shall
have no difficulty. As an example let us take a girl who was pledged on
September 15, 1929. She is a pledge to the fraternity of her choice until
September 15, 1930, in the eyes of the Panhellenic world. If she fails to
Qualify for initiation within that time, her pledge normally expires on
September 15, 1930, and she again becomes eligible to pledge any frater-
nity. However, if for any reason either she herself or the fraternity of