Future greeks meet and greet

Potential fraternity members swarmed the Indiana Memorial Union on Tuesday, eager to get information on rushing a fraternity from the Men’s Greek Life Orientation
meetings.

The meetings were led by the executive board of the Interfraternity Council from 6 to 8 p.m. in Alumni Hall. They gave the attendees general information about rush and told them what to expect when pledging a fraternity.

Rush begins Sept. 11 in Dunn Meadow where potential recruits will meet members from each fraternity before activities designed to connect people begin.

President of the Interfraternity Council Colin Nabity compared this first meet-and-greet session to speed dating.

The event is from 2 to 5 p.m. and is mandatory for those interested in joining men’s greek life.

Vice president of recruitment for the IFC, T.J. Blair, said that during the month following Dunn Meadow’s kick-off, those going through rush will be invited to different events including flag football or poker nights.

Prospective pledges are free to attend whichever events they choose to get to know the members of the houses and make connections.

Official tours of the houses will be on Sept. 13 and 20 and rushees are required to go through several.

Some of the attendees voiced concern about how much time rush would take up.

“I don’t know what to expect but I am concerned about how time consuming it will be,” freshman Adam Friedman said. “I just want to be able to keep my studies up.”

But, Nabity said potential pledges should not be worried because there are many events each night.

“There really isn’t a time commitment at all,” Nabity said. “It’s go where you want, when you want as long as you get your name and face out there.”

Blair went on to discuss the benefits of joining the greek community, such as meeting lifelong brothers, playing competitive intramurals and networking.

In his experience Blair said he has benefitted greatly from networking.

“Come graduation I will be working at a great accounting firm in Los Angeles because of the connections I made through the greek community,” Blair said.

The meeting inspired both positive and negative reactions from those who attended.

“I’m pretty excited about rushing,” freshman Matt Redmer said. “I know a bunch of people that have done it and I really want to meet new people.”

Others expressed a few concerns, many of which dealt with hazing. The board attempted to ease their fears.

“If you guys go through rush and experience hazing, contact us,” Nabity said. “The IFC is in charge of what goes on in the fraternities and we will take care of any problems.”

Nabity said he expects more than 1,000 men to go through fall recruitment.

The greek community makes up 18 to 20 percent of the student body, Nabity said. It’s enormity comes with a great deal of responsibility as far as campus influence and involvement, he said.

Men who intend to rush need to register online through
www.iubifc.com.

“This is only a platform,”  Nabity said. “Once you join, you’re going to be encouraged and pushed to get involved with other activities on campus and in the community.”