Fraternities recruit members

Sophomore Joe Primavera went through rush a year ago after accepting a bid from Sigma Chi.

Now he is on the other end of things — preparing for the Interfraternity Council’s kick-off for men’s fall recruitment.

“I didn’t know if I was for sure going to do the whole fraternity thing,” Primavera said. “After I looked around and saw the different houses and what they stood for, it was a good way to get involved and meet new people and jump into college with some new friends.”

Official events will run from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in Dunn Meadow.

Each IU chapter will have a table and representatives available to answer questions and schedule more formal chapter events including dinners, house tours and more.

Each chapter will be awarding bids through the first weekend in October.

IFC offers interested freshmen and sophomores two opportunities to rush each year, once in the fall and again at the beginning of the spring semester.

IFC Vice President of Recruitment Jay Tipton said fall rush is typically more exciting, draws bigger crowds and results in larger pledge classes.

“It’s fall, the beginning of the school year. Everything is brand new and fresh,” Tipton said. “If the men are interested in rushing, a lot of them probably already know a lot about it, and some of them are learning as they go.”

Junior Dan Schoenemann is the rush chair for Sigma Nu.

 For him, the rush process begins early, networking through high school acquaintances and siblings of friends to promote not just individual chapters, but also the community as a whole.

“Every house is great in its own way,” Schoenemann said. “We have to show potential brothers how they would fit in.”

Primavera echoes similar sentiments.

He said he pledged Sigma Chi after looking at all the houses he was interested in because he liked what it stood for and the men he met in the house.

“Don’t just focus on one house because you don’t know if it’s going to work out or if it’s even what you want for sure,” Primavera said. “Definitely look around.”

If nothing more, Tipton said fall recruitment is a good way to get everyone thinking about rush and learning about the individual chapters.

“There are a lot of kids I know who thought about rush in the fall but weren’t sure and wanted to talk to their buddies and see what they have to say,” Tipton said. “It gives them more of an insight into each chapter.”