Both the Inter-Fraternity and Inter-Sorority Councils currently are recruiting upperclassmen and new transfer students in their fall recruitment programs. Both groups have reported a significant increase in participants this year from last year.
The IFC's fall rush period began Sept. 8 and the ISC's informal recruitment period began yesterday.
ISC President Christina Valencia said there are approximately 140 girls participating in fall recruitment this year, nearly triple the number of participants from last year.
According to ISC Vice President for Recruitment Courtney Ball, there is no specific reason for the marked increase in potential new members, but she attributed the increase to a number of factors.
"Recruitment practices have not changed much," Ball said. "We have put more effort into following up with people that have showed interest in previous semesters."
Additionally, the ISC has had increased contact with transfer students, which has led to greater transfer participation in fall recruitment, Ball said.
IFC Member Intake Chair Andy Paradis noted an increase in IFC fall rush as well.
"We have had about a 15 percent increase in registrants this year, bringing our total to 93, up from 80 last year," Paradis said.
Paradis attributed the increase to the strength of the fraternity system as well as an increase in targeting specific groups that normally would be less likely to participate.
"Last year was our strongest year to date, and this year looks like it's going to be even stronger," IFC President Ross Kimbel.
According to members of both the IFC and ISC, fall recruitment offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
"Fall rush differs greatly from spring rush," said Ball. "The rush process is a few days longer and much more personal."
Individual sorority houses have much greater control over how they choose to participate in fall recruitment, whereas spring recruitment is more closely administered by the ISC, Ball said. This year, seven of the University's 16 sorority chapters are participating in fall recruitment.
"Events during fall rush tend to be much more laid-back," Ball said. "They range from barbeques and dinners at the sorority houses to group viewings of 'The O.C.'"
Kimbel noted a difference in the scheduling of fall rush events as compared to the schedule of spring rush events.
As opposed to ISC fall recruitment, which is more spread out, IFC fall rush takes place in a shorter amount of time than spring rush.
"Fall rush is really a condensed version of spring rush," said Kimbel.
There is an open house for rush participants to meet the members of each house, followed by two rounds of formal invites, Paradis said.
During IFC rush invites, potential members are invited to events with current fraternity members in order to get to know one another better, Paradis said.
Colin Clark, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity recruitment chair, said he planned a steak dinner at a restaurant on the Corner, a mixer with a sorority and a semi-formal date function at the end of the rush period.
Clark said he likes having both the smaller fall rush and the larger spring rush because it allows all different kinds students to feel comfortable.
"One isn't better than the other, they are just run differently," Kimbel said.
The recruitment experience could depend on the participant, Ball said.
"Which rush you prefer really depends on the girl," Ball said. "There is no real advantage to either."
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