By Cynthia Haro, Feb. 22, 2022
After three weeks of online instruction due to omicron, Cal Poly Pomona sororities and fraternities resumed their yearly spring rush week recruitment on Feb. 5 in hopes of recruiting new members from the student body as pledges.
With COVID-19 safety measures in place, Greek life on campus has adjusted its recruitment strategies and rush week activities in accordance with school policies.
Jarrod Mishima, president of co-ed fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, mentioned the challenges of transitioning from remote to in-person learning. “This semester was weird because there seemed to be a lot less interest in the online social that we had to put on as a result of the three weeks virtual and people waiting it out to join things,” stated Mishima. “We’re trying to adjust just based on the weirdness that was this semester, because we’ve been used to having either all online or just in person.”
Despite this, he mentioned that running an alumni panel became easier because of the expansive network that can now be used to pull from with the virtual mode of connection.
Students at Cal Poly Pomona seek part in Greek life so they can be a part of a community where connections will be formed. From philanthropic based fraternal organizations to sororities helping minority women with their education, returning or new students can become a part of these longstanding organizations.
Greek life is one of the student communities that has been most directly affected by the switch to online instruction. “Under the role of president, I felt like with COVID-19 going on it upset the role of things. We had a year where we had nobody come in, and so we had to have the older guys like myself step up,” stated Eric Oliver, Pi Kappa Phi president.
While the Interfraternity Council, or IFC, typically presents rush week similarly to club fairs, the number of events being produced on campus has become limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Rules have gotten stricter on us, so we’re not allowed to do certain things,” stated Oliver. “IFC, the council that oversees everyone, wasn’t allowed to provide pizza for our event because they couldn’t supply funds due to restrictions.”
Despite restrictions and the uncertainties that the pandemic has caused, the executive board members of these fraternities and sororities have expressed that they are nothing short of hopeful for the future of Greek life on campus.
“This semester and last semester we were able to recruit more girls compared to the beginning of COVID-19,” said Marlem Beccera, Alpha Pi Sigma secretary. “I hope we can have more events and fundraisers in person and to meet new interests.”
While the transition from online to in-person schooling remains a trial for many, these campus-based organizations continue to carry on and promote the causes they work for.
“Greek life as a whole is a dying organization and I think anyone that wants to join should join because they care about the overall bigger picture,” emphasized Oliver.