Recruitment/Rush

[Tom Earp]

How were your recruited or rushed?

When is your Colleges recruitment? Fall or delayed?

[modorney]

Rensselaer has delayed rush for freshmen, but many houses have fall rush for upperclassmen.

For freshmen, rush is quite formal (almost like sorority rush). First of all, parties are closed to freshmen and houses are generally off limits. Rush starts with a visit to every house, for an hour. Over a week, one gets to see all 25, or 28, or so houses. Acacia was the first house I visited, and, since it was first, I had no concept of what I was looking at. After a few houses where I didn't fit, then I began to narrow down my list.

After seeing the houses, there were a few smokers that one got invited to. Then a monster party at every house from 3 PM to 3 AM. One could go from house to house.

Then more smokers, then bids went out. I hoped for Sig Ep, AXP and A Sig Phi, but did not get bids. I had forgotten about Acacia, and I started to organize a colony for Triangle, along with four others. I went looking for a building, and a real estate guy showed me Acacia's old annex (the main house had been sold) and I asked a ROTC buddy how Acacia (his house) worked the annex. He told the rush chairman and I got a call. By now, spring rush was over, so I was lined up for next fall.

For all the houses I rushed (general fraternities for guys from blue-collar homes), Acacia had the best house, far and away. Of the others - Sig Ep has three residential houses, as does AXP. ASP has a larger, mansion style, almost as nice as Acacia. PSK (heavy hazer, gone nowadays) had a slightly larger, residential house, and PKP had one residential house. In 40 years, only PKP has gotten a new house.

[Tom Earp]

Do you find that the recruitment a lot different than when you or I went to school?

When I went, it was Fall rush for all GLOs. Spring was just minor or forgotten. Fall Rush was formal and everyone dressed for it-coat/tie. The Sororities went all out in costums or dress.

There would be the bid cards for both Fraternity/Sorority.

Now, I am not sure what Fraternities at my campus do?? I know schools have gone to defered rush in the spring.

Hope to get more info from fellow members on site.

[petehsiung]

Here is high school newspaper article from one of my friend's high school in Kansas about how fraternity chapters at the University of kansas use their recruitment tactic to not only sell their house but to also attract potential high school students who could be going elsewhere for college whether it be the IVy Leagues, Ohio State, U of WIsconsin, U of Michigan and other better known colleges outside to the University and get them to commit to that university.
THough my personal thoughts about it is that while its very uncommon as at the vast majority of the colleges " rushing takes place when a student is already accepted into that particular college", its could be a effective way while it definitely keeps enrollment to the school more even.Especially I have found out that unlike some other states where the turnout for other colleges is scattered ( in other words, they don't have a sizeable number of kids from the same high school attend the same college where they are likely to join them and follow them) , they have a higher likelihood and predictable turnout of students from these high schools in the surrounding area - in other words they know for a fact that there will be a good number of people.Even though I personally believe there are definitely better ways to get students to enroll.

smeharbinger.net/features/seniors-start-to-rush-at-ku


What are your thoughts?

[petehsiung]

Looking at that personally if I was a student in that situation, since academic quality and strength and their offering and what they have and reputation and stuff matters the most along with opportunities outside of it in terms of how much they have, I wouldve personally turned them down back then in the first place, even if they have the best greek system in the country and even if their chapter is the best . Instead I would go for a university where they have the best academic experience and college experience and opportunities. If you ask me about my opinion for how strong it is- wouldn't care doesn't matter.

[Tom Earp]

My alma mater, PSU is going back to formal rush for Fraternies for the first time in years.

What a suprise that is but I think for the better.

There will be three days of visitation and then like Sororities there will be a bid and selection process.

I think this is good over all as it may stir up more interest for men to look and check out.

Any thoughts?