Dean of Students Penny Rue stated in a letter to Inter-Fraternity Council President Wes Kaupinen yesterday that IFC formal rush will remain in the spring semester indefinitely.
"As it now stands, rush is held in the second semester of the first year for first-year students. This decision stands," Rue said in the letter.
Rue wrote the letter in response to a request made by Kaupinen last week for Rue to open negotiations about rush dates for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Kaupinen said despite Rue's response, the IFC continues to believe that fall rush would be better for the fraternity system.
Despite Rue's direct response, the IFC should continue pushing for fall dates, Alpha Epsilon Pi President Zack Myles said.
The decision "is more definitive now, but I don't think [the rush issue] is any less important at this point," Myles said.
The decision to move rush to the spring followed a community-wide discussion. Former Dean of Students Robert T. Canevari decided in April 1998 to move IFC formal rush to the spring semester, despite IFC leaders' protests.
But the decision disregards the consensus of fraternity leaders, Alpha Tau Omega President David Nassar said.
Administrators "think the health of the University and the health of the Greek system are separate things, but I think the two are interrelated," Nassar said.
Kaupinen said another community-wide discussion now should ensue, but Rue said it is too soon to readdress the issue.
The IFC prefers fall rush dates because fraternities are facing financial difficulties and housing problems because of deferred rush, he said.
The Office of the Dean of Students is committed to helping fraternities with financial struggles, Rue said.
But Myles said he is wary of the Office of the Dean of Students' ability to help fraternity houses.
"I'm curious to know if they actually have a definitive plan on how they would help us financially," he said. "I don't know what they could possibly do for us."
Rue said the Office of the Dean of Students hopes to facilitate cooperation between faculty with management and budget experience and fraternity leaders. But the effectiveness of such relationships would depend on the willingness of the Greek houses to disclose accurate financial records in order to give faculty an "understanding of what their current expense system is," she said.
The Office of the Dean of Students is open to meeting with fraternity leaders, Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said.
Despite their differences, Kaupinen said he is optimistic about the IFC's rapport with the deans.
"I am encouraged by the relationship that the IFC and the fraternities are building with the new dean of students; however, our conversations regarding rush will not cease and we will continue to examine the issue," he said.
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