Men’s recruitment kicks off today

Fall recruitment starts today with men’s greek orientation in Alumni Hall of the Indiana Memorial Union.

The call-out is open to any male student interested in rushing a fraternity and will be at 6 to 8 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall.

“If you are remotely interested in greek life, it is important for you to attend,” Colin Nabity, president of the Interfraternity Council, said. “We will be giving out all the information for recruitment and explaining how the process works.”

Men’s rush starts Sept. 11 at Dunn Meadow, where all the fraternities will be represented.

Men’s recruitment runs until Oct. 11, said T.J. Blair, vice president of recruitment for the council. During this time interested students are able to visit any of the fraternity houses.

The rush process is very informal, especially compared to women’s recruitment, and is almost completely in the hands of the individual fraternities, Blair said.

During recruitment, those interested will spend time at the different houses to get to know members and find a match that fits.

“There is something to offer everybody. That is the great thing about the greek system,” Blair said.

The council anticipates 1,200 men for rush, Blair said. Of that number, he expects 1,000 to end up in a fraternity.  

Joining the greek community is a great way to get involved, especially for freshmen not sure where to begin on such a big campus, Nabity said.  

“There are so many of us that we can have our hands in many facets of campus life,” Nabity said. “We really are everywhere, and that gives members countless
opportunities.”

This year, the council plans to focus on education.

“With the new dean, we are trying to better the greek system, and that begins with recruitment,” Blair said. “We are really trying to focus on grades. They come first.”

Blair said this year the fraternities are requiring members to participate in study tables before they do any house activities.  

The council encourages all students to rush but also recognizes that it takes a certain type of person to thrive in the greek community, Blair said.

“We are looking for someone who is a student first, likes to take on responsibilities, is dependable and clean,” Blair said. “You are going to be living with between 10 and 100 people.”

The greek community can provide students with a number of benefits, including networking and leadership opportunities, Blair said.  

“Coming to IU, I didn’t really know how to communicate or deal with people well on a daily basis,” Blair said. “Being a part of the greek system has given me comfort in that area, which I know will help me in the real world. It helps you branch out from Day 1.”