March 10, 2000

Dr. Jo Koster
Department of English
Winthrop University
Rock Hill SC 29733-0001

RE: Progress on my Long Report

Dear Dr. Koster:

I’m relatively satisfied with my progress to date in writing a report recommending reforms in Winthrop’s Panhellenic Rush policy.

I have interviewed Tiffany Allen, a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Life who works with the Greek community. In my interview with her, she said that I should survey sorority members to get a general viewpoint from them on how they view the Rush system. I have also spoken with Mark Weaver, Greek Adviser to Panhellenic Council, who gave me some general information on the complaints that the various sororities have brought to him with regards to their objections to Winthrop’s current Rush policy. I have designed the survey for 50 sorors that you have now approved.

I am in the process of collecting my survey data. There will be a meeting held of the Panhellenic Council on Monday March 19, 2000, at 5:30 pm in Dinkins Student Union. A good representation from Winthrop’s sororities is usually present at these meetings. I intend to distribute about 30 of my surveys at this meeting to get information from sororities other than the one to which I belong. My sorors will have a chapter meeting tonight at 8 PM and I will distribute the rest of my surveys at this meeting. I expect to get around 20 responses at this meeting. I have also scheduled interviews this week with the Rush chairs of Winthrop’s other four Panhellenic sororities and with Rodney Bennett, Dean of Students. I think I will probably have to schedule a followup interview with Mark or Tiffany or both as well.

I still have to do some work at Dacus Library or on the Internet. I want to see what trends are being identified in Rush reform across the country. I still have to call my sister chapters of my sorority in several other states to find out their Rush policies. I intend to complete this work, as well as my surveys, this week. Next week I will analyze my survey data and complete my graphs and audience analysis grid, as well as beginning to draft the body of my big report. The following week I will prepare my oral presentation and get ready for my rough draft conference. This should leave me about ten days’ time at the end to polish and prepare my final report after visiting the Writing Center.

I anticipate no problems in completing my research; the only concern that I have is that I may not be able to get everything done in time to make my deadlines. I hope I can do this!

I appreciate your help on this project and look forward to any suggestions or comments you may have to offer.

Sincerely,

Suzi Sunshine