Nothing makes you crave the warm hug of indoor heating and a comfortable place to sit more than sorority rush. While I had been eagerly looking forward to joining a sorority for weeks, I was unprepared for the frostbitten mornings and freezing nights. Standing in line outside the sorority houses, I joked with the other girls who were rushing about waiting until the last possible moment to take off our coats in an effort to preserve any bit of warmth for as long as possible. I was mostly ready for the conversations and excitement of it all, but not for the hard-fought battle against the elements. Thankfully, the Inter-Sorority Council (ISC) had thought ahead and provided. Although scarcely mentioned and seldom praised, the warming houses were an integral part of sorority rush that deserves recognition.
Sorority rush at UVA spanned two weekends, which required both the prospective and the active members to come back early from winter break. It kicked off on January 10th until the 12th, with a short break for the first week of classes, then resumed on January 17th and culminated on the 19th for bid day. Split into four different rounds, the recruitment process aims to match each PNM (Potential New Member) with the sorority with which they are most compatible. As each round went on, PNMs learned more about each chapter to find the perfect fit. It is an exciting experience that everyone knew would require plenty of conversation, deliberation, and outfit-planning.
However, what most people do not tell you about rush are the quiet sanctuaries lying en route to many of the sorority houses. These five designated spots were the Stud (Center for Christian Study), the Newcomb lounge area, the 1515 Student Center, the Brody Jewish Center, and common Grounds. These warming houses were for the PNMs to recharge, relax, and refuel during the long days. Conveniently scattered throughout Grounds, these locations spared PNMs from having to make the long and rather icy trek back to the dorms, which would otherwise be time-consuming and energy exhausting.
I found myself at the Stud the most often during my breaks, and it quickly became a much-needed safe haven. It was an easy place to meet up with friends and chat about our day in a warm shelter. While we thawed from the frigid outdoors, the Stud staff generously provided us with hot chocolate and coffee to help us to brave the cold temperatures when we had to leave. The STUD also stocked a supply of snacks, optimal for those who did not have time to go to the Corner for lunch or for a quick on-the-go bite to eat. PNMs were welcomed not just with steaming cups of coffee and comfortable couches, but also with dogs to pet while we relaxed and decompressed.
By the second weekend, the early mornings were catching up to me. After the luxurious weeks of being able to sleep in over winter break, adjusting to a schedule that required me to be awake and ready before it was fully bright outside was no easy feat. One afternoon, utterly exhausted, I roamed the Stud looking for an unoccupied spot. Almost every room was filled and I desperately felt the need to crash somewhere and get some rest. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the reading nook on the second floor, set apart from the other rooms. With the sunlight streaming in and an inviting place to lay down, I promptly fell sound asleep. Waking up refreshed was invaluable for powering through the rest of the day, and I now would without a doubt go back to the reading nook to study or do homework.
Being able to simply sit and be on my phone was another benefit of the warming houses. In the midst of constant talk, I appreciated being able to turn my brain “off” and just mindlessly scroll through my phone. Through speaking with other PNMs, it was evident that everybody acknowledged that these moments of freedom helped to mentally reset, all made possible by the warming houses. Having a space to briefly disconnect from the chaos made all the difference in ensuring that energy and morale stayed up.
Looking back, many of us PNMs cannot imagine going through sorority recruitment without the warming houses. Hand warmers and jackets can only go so far as for sustaining warmth, and so these locations became an underrated essential. The Stud, along with the other warming houses, made the long days much easier and more comfortable. For that, the PNMs extend heartfelt thanks to the staff who opened their doors and helping the community.
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