The University’s Interfraternity Council saw a small increase in rushees for its fraternities this fall, the governing body of some campus fraternities announced.
- Jessica Boullion
- Approximate number of male students who pledged Interfraternity Council fraternities this fall. (PETER SCHOTTENFELS/Daily)
About 500 male students pledged fraternities this fall, including about 16 percent of male freshmen. The previous fall, only about 14 percent of male freshmen joined the Greek system.
IFC representatives said the addition of two newly admitted fraternities, Delta Tau Delta and Sigma Pi and a lengthened bidding period, contributed to the growth of this fall’s pledge class.
This fall, the IFC implemented a two-week dry period during formal rush during which alcohol was banned. The IFC adopted a dry rush rule last December, hoping to de-emphasize the role of alcohol in fraternity life.
“It kind of mandates a sober environment where rushees can really talk to frat members” said IFC spokesman Evan Waters.
The new rules prohibit fraternities from serving alcohol during formal rush hours and during events outside those hours where there are more than 25 women present during the two weeks. However, the IFC does not have jurisdiction over informal gatherings where drinking may occur.
“As far as brother/rushee drinking concerned, the only way the IFC condoning that would be when it’s out of our jurisdiction,” Waters said. “That would be if some unaffiliated house would decide to throw some kind of event.”
The prohibition on alcohol during rush drew a few complaints but was not a primary concern of rushees, according to an IFC survey on how to improve the rush process.
The survey showed that most rushees suggested better advertising and pushing the rush process back further in the year. Only a handful called for alcohol to be re-introduced into the process.
Waters emphasized that calls for reintroducing alcohol to the rush process are not representative of the IFC’s philosophy.
“I really hope that this dry rush period demonstrates to rushees that the Greek community is not predicated on drinking or having outrageous parties,” Waters said.
LSA freshman Ari Goldstein, who rushed and joined Chi Psi this fall, agreed with the message.
“Having it dry absolutely makes it a much better process,” he said.
IFC representatives said the addition of two newly admitted fraternities, Delta Tau Delta and Sigma Pi and a lengthened bidding period, contributed to the growth of this fall’s pledge class.
This fall, the IFC implemented a two-week dry period during formal rush during which alcohol was banned. The IFC adopted a dry rush rule last December, hoping to de-emphasize the role of alcohol in fraternity life.
“It kind of mandates a sober environment where rushees can really talk to frat members and not see them from a distanced view that one may see in a party setting,” said IFC spokesman Evan Waters.
The new rules prohibit fraternities from serving alcohol during formal rush hours and during events outside those hours where there are more than 25 women present during the two weeks. However, the IFC does not have jurisdiction over informal gatherings where drinking may occur.
“As far as brother/rushee drinking concerned, the only way the IFC condoning that would be when it’s out of our jurisdiction,” Waters said. “That would be if some unaffiliated house would decide to throw some kind of event.”
The prohibition on alcohol during rush drew a few complaints but was not a primary concern of rushees, according to an IFC survey on how to improve the rush process.
The survey showed that most rushees suggested better advertising and pushing the rush process back further in the year. Only a handful called for alcohol to be re-introduced into the process.
Waters emphasized that calls for reintroducing alcohol to the rush process are not representative of the IFC’s philosophy.
“I really hope that this dry rush period demonstrates to rushees that the Greek community is not predicated on drinking or having outrageous parties,” Waters said. “It’s about meeting quality men and women.”
LSA freshman Ari Goldstein, who rushed and joined Chi Psi this fall, agreed with the message.
“Having it dry absolutely makes it a much better process,” he said.
Waters said that a non-alcoholic environment is more conducive to forming accurate impressions of potential housemates.
“To that end, frat members are able to dispel a lot of the rumors and preconceived notions that freshmen will have in their mind when they arrive on campus,” Waters said.
500
Approximate number of male students who pledged Interfraternity Council fraternities this fall
14
Percentage of male freshmen who pledged IFC fraternities in the fall of 2005
16
Percentage of male freshmen who pledged IFC fraternities in the fall of 2006