The Nevada Sagebrush

Don Weinland/Nevada Sagebrush: Members of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority gather outside of their house during a final rush event Monday.

Traffic backed up Seventh and Sierra streets Monday as sorority rush attendees danced and threw water balloons in the roads.

Enrollment is up at Panhellenic sororities, said sorority leadership and event coordinators who attended the rush event. Sisterhood, support networks and future opportunities drive students to participate in Greek Life, they said.

Molly McCormack, Associated Students of the University of Nevada activities coordinator, said Panhellenic sororities extended invitations to 221 students, the highest number on record at the University of Nevada, Reno.

McCormack said the majority of new members are freshmen. She said the size of this year’s freshman class has been a major factor in increased participation.

Jane Carlson, president of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, said 100 more women participated in rush events this year than  last year. She said Pi Beta Phi usually admits 32 to 36 new members during rush.  This year, the sorority admitted 42 new members. Carlson said the 60 percent female freshman population in the dormitories has brought more girls out for recruitment.

Carlson said girls join because they want to get involved on campus and in the community.  She said she joined because she didn’t know many people in Reno after her move from Las Vegas.

“I was a freshman coming up here without many friends,” she said. “I wanted to get involved immediately on campus.”

Jeanine Menolascino, coordinator for Greek Life, said the main reason why students join Greek organizations is to develop meaningful relationships with the same gender.

“That’s the No. 1 reason why people join,” Menolascino said. “A lot of studies support that.”

Menolascino said students also join to develop leadership skills and cultivate a sense of brother or sisterhood.

Cindy Marczynski, the assistant director of counseling services, said identifying with and belonging to a group lies behind the desire to be a part of Greek Life.

“Many students want to have a sense of belonging by making friends, and the driving force is Greek Life,” Marczynski said. “Students like the affiliation of being a part of an organization, especially going Greek.”

Marczynski said that people have an image in their mind about college life, but some students become stressed out and unhappy with their ability to fit in.

“Greek Life is designed to help people form a sisterhood/brotherhood and form a connection.” Marczynski said. “Those who go Greek value the relationships and connections that they have made.”

Jerad Pettaway, a 20-year-old Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity member, said Greek Life offers a special place for all members.

“There are different groups for each person,” Pettaway said. “Everyone can find their own niche and I would recommend being a part of Greek Life, which is a positive thing to be a part of.”

Pettaway said the multicultural and community service aspects of Greek Life are other factors that attract students.

“I wanted to learn about people from different cultures, broadening my horizons,” Pettaway said. “I was appealed to joining Greek Life because of the good things that were promoted, joining a brotherhood awnd doing community service, as well as the social aspect and being a part of something nationwide.”

Kayla Johnson can be reached at kjohnson@nevadasagebrush.com.

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