Potential greeks scope out frats

“Hair gel, aviators and tank tops.”

Alex Segal, member of Sigma Nu, joked about what his fraternity was looking for in potential recruits as other members of the fraternity laughed.

Joking or not, every fraternity was seeking certain qualities as they searched the field for new brothers at the Dunn Meadow Fall Recruitment Kick-off.
 
Men interested in greek life were given the opportunity Friday to meet members from every Interfraternity Council chapter, get their names on mass e-mail lists and begin making connections they hope will last.

The e-mail lists are used to inform those interested in the houses about rush events, such as flag football games and other social gatherings.

“It looks like a fun experience,” freshman Jesse Shukas said. “I’m here looking for a house that will have good parties, good brotherhood and decent living conditions.”

While every potential new member was looking for something different, so were the individual chapters.

Matching up those interests is the key to the whole process, said T.J. Blair, vice president of recruitment for the IFC.

It seemed that most fraternities were interested in well-rounded men that have something distinctive to bring to the table. But each chapter is unique, and they will all receive a different type of personality, Blair said.

“We want guys that are going to step up and take leadership roles,” Todd Rosenbaum, rush chair for Delta Chi, said. “We’re expanding and trying to get a house, so we need some guys that are going to take initiative.”

Music blared as freshmen ate pizza and mingled with fraternity members to figure out the level of compatibility.

“I like the guys that are really pushing the philanthropy stuff,” freshman Matt Michel said. “Also the ones that are about having a good time, which is what you’re looking for in college.”

Some freshmen said that stereotypes and rumors would certainly sway their judgments of certain chapters.

“You definitely hear some stuff about certain fraternities, which can really affect your opinion,” freshman Logan Guckien said. “If they have a reputation of being druggies or huge partiers, I probably won’t even check out their house.”

Blair said at least 1,200 students came to the event, coming and going at their convenience.
“This year we are definitely more organized,” Blair said. “When you’re trying to reach 1,200 to 1,500 kids, you have to be as organized as possible.”

Some fraternities captured a majority of the limelight. For these houses, the lists of interested new members were off the charts. With all that attention comes certain setbacks, such as not being able to contact everyone that shows interest in the chapter.

In these cases, the brothers rely on networking and legacies to aid in their selection process.

“Networking is very important for us,” Patrick Kahn of Pi Kappa Phi said. “You really have to make an effort to stand out.”

Recruitment will continue this month with informal social events and house tours.
Blair offers some words of encouragement for rushees.

“Don’t get discouraged with how your interactions were today,” Blair said. “Try and go to the house tours and really put yourself out there.”