Monday marked the beginning of Spring 2014 Fraternity Recruitment for the 18 fraternities on campus.
The week began with open houses meant to allow active members to get to know potential frat brothers, leading up to invite-only events that could see some potential candidates’ weeks ending early.
To participate in Rush Week, students must have a minimum GPA of at least 2.50 if they’re taking 12 units, and they should register for rush by Jan. 30. If students register on the last day, an additional $10 late fee is added to the original $40 cost.
Adam Geyer, pre-neuroscience sophomore and president of the Interfraternity Council, said he and the council put a lot of work into preparing for recruitment week. Dates and room reservations were made a year ago, and the council decides on a recruitment policy for all fraternities to abide by six months in advance, Geyer said.
“The month leading up to recruitment week is very busy for the IFC executive board, as well as the Fraternity and Sorority Programs Office, as many people call in or send emails regarding our GPA requirements or questions about how to register,” Geyer said.
The IFC holds meetings with the chapter presidents and recruitment chairs of each fraternity, going over the fine details of what should be going on during recruitment week. The IFC also composes agendas for each individual chapter with events they plan on hosting throughout the week.
Geyer said students rushing should visit as many fraternity chapters as possible to keep their options open.
“Don’t limit yourself to one or two [chapters], because your week could be over by Tuesday,” Geyer said. “Visit as many as you are interested in receiving.”
Nic Martino, environmental and water resources economics junior and president of Kappa Sigma, said potential brothers should be true to themselves when looking for fraternities to join.
“Be original and be honest to what you’re looking for,” Martino said. “There are plenty of great houses with qualities best fit for you.”
Martino added that each fraternity has its own specific qualities they look for in a potential brother.
“We look for overall well-rounded guys, focused on academics, active on campus — guys that want to be leaders and guys that are interested in forming a really good brotherhood, a major component of what a fraternity is,” Martino said.
With open houses wrapping up Tuesday evening, the next phase of Rush Week, invite-only events, begins today. These events include barbecues and basketball games between current and potential members. If the rushees are well-liked by the brothers, an invitation to a preference dinner on Friday is extended, and eventually bids are given out.
Each fraternity puts its own unique spin on the bidding process, which remains a work in progress throughout the week. In Kappa Sigma, every night after rush events, the brothers gather around a projector and take notes on potential new members, holding group discussions and voting on who they still like, Martino said.
Justin David, pre-business sophomore and vice president of membership for Delta Tau Delta, said his fraternity will be looking for outgoing leaders who are unafraid to speak their minds.
“After two open houses, we put the guys’ pictures on a projection screen and members will ask if they have what it takes to be a Delta,” David said. “They should be themselves; the frat wont be the right fit for you if you aren’t. It’s just like hanging out with the guys.”
Around 475 men are registered for this recruitment week, but 20-30 more are expected to sign up by the end of this week.
“The amount of men that receive bids will be up to the individual chapters,” Geyer said, “but based on past years, I would expect about 300 or so men to receive an invitation to join one of our 18 IFC fraternities this spring.”
With lower participant numbers in the rush process, some fraternities will only be taking five to 10 pledges this week.
“We’re looking forward to getting new guys as well as new brothers, to take them under our wings and maybe even change their lives through brotherhood,” David said.
