for sorority rush..

Poster above is clearly not a "row girl"... probably a frat guy or a geed trying to stir up trouble, because every girl who's gone through rush knows that you don't take a purse into the house.

Don't worry about money. The only reason money is any kind of issue at all is because houses need to know you can afford to pay dues, and even then each organization offers scholarships to sisters in need. In every single house, I know (or know of) girls who have lots of money and girls whose families have a harder time getting by. EVERY house. It's a non-issue.

why can't we bring our purses into the house?

I don't know why not taking your purse into the house could possibly be a "wtf" thing--there's just no reason to bring it in. You won't need your lip gloss or compact or the flip flops you'll be using to walk back and forth, and a handbag doesn't exactly make for a thrilling talking point. Nobody cares about what bag you bring. Most girls use a backpack or an old tote.

you don't bring it in to prevent dirty rushing. you cannot leave a house with anything (napkins, food, small gift bags, etc.). It's a blessing because you can walk over in birkenstocks for all they care and then switch into cuter shoes. no one will know