Men's fall rush kicks off today

Four o'clock today marks the beginning of many students' foray into a distinct culture at IU. The kickoff of men's formal rush, beginning with registration from 4 to 7 p.m. today in Dunn Meadow, marks many students' first contact with the large greek system at IU. With this first contact, many rushees may keep stereotypes about fraternities in the back of their minds.\nPresidents of the fraternities starting recruitment tomorrow said the stereotypes about greek organizations are misleading and often wrong. All said that "going greek" means more than parties, drinking and pledgeship.\nAlpha Sigma Phi president Samuel Locke, a senior, said joining a fraternity means that men will enter the rich history of IU, as well as make lifelong friendships.\nMatt Cairns, president of Acacia, said going greek was the best decision he made at IU.\n"I joined the greek system three years ago, and I could not have made a better decision," he said. "I have grown socially, academically and professionally. No other organization could have given me the experience and opportunities that the greek system has."\nEach chapter participating in recruitment will be hosting a number of rush events to help potential members meet brothers.\n"We have several activities planned in the next two weeks, such as a camping trip, Monday Night Football, cookouts and several functions with sororities," Dave King, president of Delta Chi, said. "We will be contacting rushees to invite them to our activities after the rush kickoff this weekend."\nPhi Kappa Psi has some non-traditional events planned paired with more mundane ones, including slip-n-slide parties and formal and informal dinners with sororities.\nOff-campus fraternities are also planning events for potential members.\n"We have events, such as barbecues, open houses and things of that nature," Kristoffer Troy, president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, said. "We also hope to take rushees out to dinner so they can meet each other, and more importantly we can meet them."\nDuring the rush events, fraternities will meet the rush guests; conversely guests will get the opportunity to meet the members of a chapter and decide whether or not it is right for them. All of the presidents interviewed stressed the importance of feeling comfortable with the chapter before deciding to join.\nTau Kappa Epsilon president Bill Surprise believes the most important factor in choosing a fraternity is making sure the rushee meshes with the chapter.\n"I would ask (rushees) to most importantly see how their morals and ideals would fit with those of the individuals in the chapter," he said.\nChapter presidents said men have much to look forward to if they decide to pledge a fraternity.\n"Men should expect a positive experience, one which they would benefit from and help make better," said Mike Miller, president of Lambda Chi Alpha. "Being part of a fraternity means being part of a family, and they should expect a lifelong friendships and memories."\nHowever, the presidents also cautioned potential members that fraternities are not the constant party many people believe them to be.\n"Men shouldn't expect this to be a big party," said Mark Krodel, president of Chi Phi. "The greek system has come under scrutiny for the actions of a few, but as a whole stands for brotherhood and sisterhood. We raise more money for charity than other organizations on campus and volunteer more hours of service."\nMen interested in rushing fraternities can sign up for formal recruitment from 4 to 7 p.m. today in Dunn Meadow. Chapter tours will take place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.