Reflections on the 2024 spring social club rush season
Abigail McQueen |
Since the 1960s, social clubs have been a large part of campus life at Lipscomb. Each semester, the clubs host a series of rush events, and many students eagerly await the beginning of the process. This spring 140 students continued this tradition by completing social club new member orientation.
“Being in a club introduces you to people you might not have met if you did not join a social club,” says Rachel Gage, the new assistant director of student engagement. “There are new experiences and leadership opportunities that come with being in a club.”
Gage serves alongside Matt Paden, executive vice president; Candace Williams, dean of student engagement; and Landon Parrish, assistant dean of student engagement; to support Lipscomb social clubs.
Student Life's Matt Paden, Landon Parrish, Rachel Gage and Candace Williams.
This semester, the week that rush was supposed to begin a record snowfall hit Nashville. With concerns about student safety and the ability to reach campus, Student Life decided to cancel rush around, the first in the series of rush events. Rush around serves as an introduction to all the social clubs by giving prospective new members (PNMs), the term for the students undergoing the rush process, an opportunity to spend time with each club. To compensate, student life required all PNMs to attend every open rush that the clubs offered, whereas PNMs are usually only required to attend a select number.
Samuel Waldron, the president of Sigma Iota Delta, one of the men’s social clubs, noticed how the cancellation of rush around affected many of the PNMs. “There were way more people who were still very undecided by the time of closed rush,” he says. “Not just undecided about which way to lean, but also undecided about whether they wanted to rush or not.” He says having one less week to get to know prospective new members was challenging.
Despite the difficulties, Waldron says the new leadership and their guidance were helpful. “People enjoyed having Landon and Rachel in charge because we can all tell they truly care,” he says. “They have all done a great job, and social clubs are in great hands.”
Peyton Lewis, the president of Phi Nu, one of the women’s social clubs, was impressed with how her club handled the snowstorm-forced changes. “We are a very adaptable club when it comes to adversity,” she says, “so I believe changing on the fly is a skill set for us.”
Lewis recognizes the challenges that come with any rush season, especially one as unique as this past one. “Rush season is difficult for everyone,” she says. “However, this year in particular our rush team and actives consistently performed at a higher level and enjoyed themselves at events more.”
She also says that she loves seeing how much fun club members and PNMs are having. “I am always on the move when it comes to our rush events, so it is a breath of fresh air to see everyone enjoying their time,” she says.
Katherine Kidd, a freshman commuter who rushed this semester, was impressed with how well the clubs adapted to the change from the normal schedule. While she says that having to get to know everyone in “speed mode” was stressful at times, she overall enjoyed the process and loves the girls she has been able to connect with.
Kidd ultimately accepted a bid from Delta Omega. “Now that I’ve been able to have real conversations with the girls in my club, I am so grateful to have a way to spend time with them all,” she says.
Gage and the student life team have been very involved in walking the social clubs through this process. They have also been intentional about getting to know each club. She says she was particularly impacted by her time spent with Sigma Alpha, one of the men’s social clubs. “They are a club that formed when I was in college, and it is cool to see that they have such a unique brotherhood that is honoring and respectful to one another,” she says. “Each member has an intentional relationship with each other.”
Now that rush season and New Member Orientation have officially ended for the spring semester, the clubs can celebrate their newest members and look back at the memories formed this year.
As for the changes this semester, Gage reflects, “We have looked through it in the lens that change allows us to try something new! We are always looking to engage more students and better the student experience.”
