The Interfraternity Council’s academic policy made some potential rushees ineligible this year.
Fraternity rush, or the membership recruitment process of men’s Greek letter organizations, took place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. About 800 men rushed to join a fraternity this week, according to Interfraternity Council President Michael Colletti.
While about 1,000 men registered to rush, about 150 of them did not meet the council’s academic standards and around 50 of them are waiting to receive their high school transcripts so the council can check their eligibility.
The council’s new academic policy requires that all potential members have at least a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average or a 2.5 cumulative college GPA after 12 or more college credits. Colletti said this policy shifted the dynamic of men that rushed this year because they seemed “more ready for college and more prepared to be a community man as well as a college man.”
These numbers are “up from last year,” according to Colletti, because about 200 more men showed interest in rushing this academic year. On average, each house received 25 to 30 new members, with Pi Kappa Alpha receiving the most at about 45 new members.
“Greek Life opens doors,” said Ryan Roberts, the council’s vice president of membership. He said fraternity membership offers opportunities in many areas, including scholarship, intramural athletics and networking to broaden horizons for one’s future.
“I’m excited about bringing in a new group,” Roberts added.
The council raised about $8,000 from rush registration fees, and proceeds will go to the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. Colletti said each fraternity chapter will help at the center throughout the semester and will participate in many of its events.
Men chose different fraternities for different reasons. Sam Owen, a pre-business freshman, said he rushed Sigma Alpha Epsilon because they were the only Interfraternity Council chapter “not in trouble,” even though other fraternities may say they are not.
Max Wilson, a pre-business freshman, said he chose to join Sigma Chi due to the “nice all around guys,” however he also considered joining Phi Gamma Delta because they are “well known.” The council’s grade policy did not affect Wilson, because he said he had a 3.5 GPA out of high school.
Other students, like pre-business freshman Brandon Voorhees said he nearly did not get to join a fraternity due to his 3.1 high school GPA.
Voorhees said he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon because of their “reputation,” “super sick guys” and because “they can party.” He added that the best part of rush was meeting his pledge class on Saturday.
Rush events varied from chapter to chapter, because each specific chapter was responsible for creating its own events. Many fraternities started rush week with “open houses” in which recruits could visit the house and talk to the members, and ended rush week with “invite only” events, where fraternity members bonded with recruits they were interested in having join.
Phi Gamma Delta held a basketball game on Wednesday, bowling on Thursday and a preference dinner on Friday for potential members. Connor Riley, president of Phi Gamma Delta, said he was “very impressed with the individuals rushing” and that, as chapter president, he looked for men who were “driven, motivated, respectful, social and active.”
Men’s rush was informal and those rushing had the opportunity to visit any of the 20 chapters. The potential members received their bids, or an invitation to join a fraternal organization, on Saturday. Although those who received bids had the chance to join the fraternities that offered them bids right away, many chapters’ bids are good for one year, so men can take their time in choosing to accept their bid.
Colletti added that chapter members looked for “well rounded gentlemen” to join the new pledge class, including men that were focused on academics, brotherhood, leadership, campus involvement and becoming very active within their fraternity.
