<p>Hi parents,
I actually considered getting another username to post this as to avoid the inevitable backlash I’ll get, but I figured it was easier not to re-explain my entire background, so please be kind! :)</p>
<p>I go to a school with a very small Greek presence (maybe about 2% of student body), and it’s hardly a social necessity. I didn’t rush this year and was quite content socially last semester. I’m not really a “(stereo)typical” Greek girl in that I don’t drink/party, but Greek life has long held a certain allure for me. As I have a housing scholarship and the Greek houses are considered “off campus,” I probably won’t move in if I rushed, regardless ($5000 a year is a substantial incentive not to, imo). Still, I would at least like to check out the Greek system and so I looked up so info on our GL web page to see the recruitment procedures and whatnot.</p>
<p>Here’s the problem: Because we only have four soroities, all PNMs are required to attend events at all four houses during rush. I know for a fact that at least two of the houses are completely handicapped inaccessible (stairs in front), so therefore I can’t rush. It’s not even an option, and that really bugs. I don’t know for certain that I would join, but I at least think physically disabled students should have the option. Yet there’s really nothing I can do, is there? Even thoigh GL is a school organization, the housea aren’t “on campus” and I think bringing up this matter with GL would be a sure way of shooting myself in the foot before I even start. I know Greek organizations are selective by nature, but I feel I (and others in my situation) should at least have the option of rushing.</p>
<p>Any ideas, input, or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>I hardly think the sororities will be offended by you showing your interest! Perhaps there is access that you are unaware of, or perhaps a group of them will meet you somewhere outside the house to “rush.” Many sororities hold “informal” rush outside the normal rush week, where they engage in casual meetings and get togethers with the rushees, so this would not be any different.</p>
<p>I encourage you to pursue this interest. Good luck!</p>
<p>What aperfect way for you to begin to contribute tp the university with a gentle request to the two non-accessible sororities. Ya never know what changes you could set in motion.</p>
<p>Didn’t you say previously that there is a very helpful disabilities office at your school? Even if GL is “off campus”, wouldn’t it be possible that the people at the disabilities office have some experience or ideas that could help?</p>
<p>At an absolute minimum, it would seem that GL should be expected to allow you to rush at those houses that are in fact accessible. The “all house” rule undoubtedly was not meant to bar PNMs with disabilities, and it certainly should not function to that end. I know that you would be able to state or write these facts to GL with grace and flair! :)</p>
<p>I, too, encourage you to pursue this interest!</p>
<p>I encourage you to talk to the office of Greek Life about your situation. I don’t think it would be impossible for them to them to accommodate you. Besides, there may be other entrances available to you that you could use. My own chapter house is not handicapped accessible through the front or side door, but the back door is. It might not be the most convenient thing, but if you want to join, I hope you and the sororities can make something work.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to talk to a fellow student (ie an active, Rho Chi or Panhellenic Council officer), talk to the Greek Advisor who is employed by the university. I am sure that this has not been the first time this issue has been addressed.</p>
<p>I can’t see how anyone would be offended by a polite inquiry to Greek Life asking whether the two houses with stairs are indeed inaccessible and asking for permission to rush without visiting any truly inaccessible houses if in fact there are any.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone else Wolf. If anyone can handle this in the gentle but persistant manner it deserves, it would be you. There MUST be a reasonable solution waiting for someone to ask for it. Go for it!</p>
<p>Isn’t it illegal to have public buildings inaccessible to the disabled.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
OR
Rehabilitation Act of 1973??</p>
<p>Is the house considered non-public? </p>
<p>Also, if the government gives money to your school, and the school used money for these buildings, then it falls under the Architectural Barriers Act where it “requires buildings and facilities that are designed, constructed, or altered with federal funds, or leased by a federal agency, must comply with Federal standards for physical accessibility by the disabled.”</p>
<p>c) Social organizations. A recipient that provides significant assistance to fraternities, sororities, or similar organizations shall assure itself that the membership practices of such organizations do not permit discrimination otherwise prohibited by this subpart.</p>
<p>This wording is a little tricky. It says “membership practices,” which could be interpreted to include physical accessibility but may not. I never had a case similar to your situation so I can’t really comment on how the wording has been interpreted. Your campus disability office will probably be able to provide you the best guidance since the University, if they provide them significant assistance, is responsible for ensuring that these organizations don’t discriminate on the basis of disability.</p>
<p>You can call also OCR’s Seattle Office, which has responsibility for your state, and just chat with them about your situation. You wouldn’t even need to tell them what college you’re talking about.</p>
<p>Seattle Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue Room 3310,
Seattle, WA 98174-1099</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments and support! I went by the GLO the other day and picked up a recruitment form. They were having a recruitment planning meeting, so I’l keep my eyes out for recruitment events in the future. I really don’t want to get any “official” channels (Disability department, etc.) involved as I don’t want to alienate the girls right off the bat, so I’ll just go to the first meeting (not in the houses, if they follow the same plan as Fall) and ask there.</p>
<p>Well, I went to a recruitment event today and loved it! I asked about accessibility and while one house said that there might be some problems, all seemed more than willing to work with me. I met some great girls, too. I just hope I made a good impression and that the other events well go well-- I’m as nervous as heck but excited, too.</p>
<p>The singing groups on my campus hold auditions (by necessity) in inaccessible buildings with short flights of stairs between every room. One year a very talented woman came through who used a heavy motorized wheelchair. We got six people, if we had to, and carried her up and down those stairs. She ended up joining a well-respected group and even performed choreography in her wheelchair; once she was a member, they made sure there were ramps wherever she needed to go. It doesn’t surprise me that any group worth joining will do whatever is necessary to get you inside rush events and then go from there.</p>
<p>I followed this thread when you originally started it and wondered how it all had turned out for you. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve had such a great experience.</p>
<p>wolfpiper - cheers has this one right. Just ask. Give these two groups the chance to do the right thing, and my guess is they will. Good luck to you on your college experienced.</p>
<p>Thanks for a;ll the support! You guys (and gals) really are awesome. I wnt to two events tonight at two houses I liked from the start. One was absolutely awesome (which of course probably means I won’t be invited back…:(); one was nice but didn’t feel like the best fit. If all goes according to plan, I plan to visit a third and final house on Thursday. We have continous open bidding, so there’s no set rush/bid timeline. So nerve-racking but fun, too. I hope, I hope, I hope it works out!</p>