Kickoff draws large, eager crowd

Men's recruitment activities this weekend aimed to keep potential pledges from making a 'rush' decision. \nAbout 900 men from across campus flooded Dunn Meadow Friday night, all vying for the attention of more than 25 fraternities on campus. The fraternities were not looking for potential members to make any immediate decisions, but to instead weigh all their options and choose the house and brothers that best fit them. \n"(The fraternities) look for just a comfort level, guys that they would hang out with," said Interfraternity Council Director of Recruitment Counselors Mike Piermont. \nDozens of tables representing the fraternities at IU outlined the meadow as brothers talked and played football with interested students. Using intramural and Little 500 bragging rights, fraternity members attempted to sway prospective recruits. Others went for a visual approach, displaying photos as they described their houses and amenities. \nDavid Weller, president of Phi Kappa Psi, said just because someone does not fit in with his fraternity, it does not mean he will not fit in with any of the fraternities. He said they encouraged potential pledges to look at all the choices available to them and be selective in their search process. \n"You're joining a chapter for the next four years of your life," IFC President Justin Sloan said. "You shouldn't hastily do it just because you met one really cool guy."\nSophomore Grant Gernhardt, who attended the event to examine his choices, said he could tell a difference between the chapters represented at the event. \n"The guys that are positive about their house but still positive about other houses are the ones that impress me the most," he said. \nMost of the men representing the fraternities were quick to point out that partying is not the number one thing they represent. \n"If you come to a party you've seen one-fourth of what we're about," said Josh Winer, president of Delta Upsilon. "The greek (grade point average) is higher than the non-greek GPA. A common misconception is that we're all about (partying)." \nHowever, Sloan said he admits some of the common views about the greek system at IU are correct. \n"Maybe (some people) fit (the stereotype) but that doesn't do justice for the 70 percent that don't," Sloan said.\nAfter the recruitment session Friday, prospective members visited fraternity houses during tour hours Saturday and Sunday. \nFreshman Michael Anda said he could tell which fraternities cared the most by seeing which ones took the time to give a good tour.\nThe men who completed the weekend events received a wristband which will get them into fraternities' social functions for the coming weeks, Sloan said. He said the wristbands let the chapters know who is serious and worth their time. \nFraternities will now keep in touch with potential members and hold events for the next three weeks until they reach the point of offering bids, Sloan said. \n"I hope each guy doesn't decide on the house but on the brotherhood," said Bobby McDonald, president of Sigma Nu. "You're looking for the guys who want to get to know the brothers. It's more about the brothers in the house than the house itself"