Fraternity recruitment starts Friday

Now that the post-holiday bargain buys are over, IU men can shift their attention to a different kind of hunt.\nMen interested in joining a fraternity can browse the selection during Friday's spring recruitment opener, which will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union Frangipani Room.\n"It's almost like shopping," said Taylor Hougland, Interfraternity Council vice president of recruitment. \nRepresentatives from IU's 25 fraternities will be present to answer questions and explain what their organizations are like, said Hougland. The displays from each house will give attendees an opportunity to quickly familiarize themselves with each house.\nFrom there, Hougland said potential pledges can select their favorites and visit them Sunday during chapter open houses. This will give prospective brothers a chance to interact with more members, see what the fraternity is like on a day-to-day basis and receive one-on-one attention.\nThe six fraternities that don't have houses will hold their Sunday sessions at the IMU. The rooms will be listed at Friday's event, Hougland said.\nAfter the open houses, Hougland said the men will have three weeks to receive a bid.\nEach fraternity uses different recruitment tactics and looks for different qualities in potential members, but they generally seek men who will be assets rather than liabilities, Interfraternity Council President Justin Sloan said.\n"Men who were very accomplished in high school in regards to grades, sports and other activities are going to have the advantage over others," Sloan said.\nLast semester, 1,300 men attended some portion of formal recruitment and almost 600 signed with chapters, Sloan said. \nHougland said spring recruitment usually attracts fewer people and he expects at least 100 men to attend Friday's opener. \n"Spring recruitment provides a great opportunity for those who missed out earlier in the year," Hougland said.\nRushing in the spring has its own benefits and disadvantages that are absent from formal recruitment. Competition for a bid decreases in the spring because fewer people rush than in the fall.\nThe smaller pledge classes provide a more intimate setting, which can lead to stronger bonds among recruits than those who pledged in the fall, Sloan said. \n"The only disadvantage they have is being a step behind their fellow classmen who are already a part of the chapter," he said.\nBoth Hougland and Sloan said spring recruitment allows freshmen to adjust to college life and explore its possibilities before rushing to a decision about joining the Greek community.