Eric Schall, senior from Nashville, Tenn., participates in IFC bid day.
Spring recruitment was in full swing as Greek organizations on campus began to welcome new members into their chapters this week.
Re’Nita Avery-Meriwether, director of Student Life and the Curris Center, said spring recruitment has been successful this spring.
“There were a lot of students interested in joining Greek organizations this semester,” Avery-Meriwether said.
She said the sorority spring recruitment numbers increased this year and the fraternity numbers evened out.
The recruitment process for sororities began Jan. 23 with an open house that let potential new members mingle with women from the six sororities.
The women were broken into groups to go around and talk to each organization individually. More than 60 potential new members attended the open house.
Natalie Brewer, director of sorority recruitment, said spring recruitment is more laid back and relaxed than formal recruitment in the fall.
“I came in the spring myself and I see the advantages that it can have,” Brewer said. “You are able to get your foot in the door, see how to handle school and find out if you are ready to become involved more.”
Brewer said one exciting thing about this semester’s recruitment is the addition of Kappa Delta to campus. Kappa Delta took part in recruitment this semester after being reinstated on campus last semester.
Each of the six Panhellenic sororities were able to accept new members this semester. This was due to total being raised from 90 to 137 members for each sorority.
The total number of bids accepted will not be known until the second week of February when all organizations have given out their bids.
Members of Kappa Delta welcome new members at their spring bid day celebration.
Approximately 35 men who were interested in joining Greek Life attended the open house at the Curris Center Jan. 22.
Michael Dobbs, Interfraternity Council president, said spring rush is similar to fall rush for the fraternities.
He said the only difference this year was that the potential new members were broken up into groups to see every fraternity. The spring rush process is a few days shorter than in the fall.
Throughout the week fraternities hosted different events such as chili cookouts, skeet shooting and dodgeball tournaments to help get better acquainted with new members.
Thirty-five bids were accepted from new members Monday, Dobbs said.
Dobbs said by getting involved in different organizations such as Greek Life, students are able to become more connected to other students and the campus as a whole.
“Greeks organizations or any student organization can help you find a group of people that share similar interests with you,” Dobbs said. “There is connections, networking and most importantly a place to belong on campus.”
Story by Rebecca Walter, Staff writer