Greek system beginning to see affect of their recruiting choices
Spring rush numbers for both sororities and fraternities at CU had a slight increase in new members compared to fall.
The National Panhellenic Conference has 10 sorority chapters at CU. CU also has five multicultural sororities. These 15 sororities agreed to defer recruitment to the spring at the urging of CU officials. Officials said freshmen needed a semester to get comfortable at CU, and the deferred recruitment would give them more time to find a sorority that best fit them.
“It’s something different than years in the past, but there is an adjustment period we are trying to get used to,” said John Henderson, CU’s director of Greek affairs. “But I’m proud of student leaders. They are developing a higher set of standards than they were given.”
Henderson said new members are increasing from spring 2006 to spring 2007. However, deferred recruitment is taking a toll with a small drop during informal rush. Henderson also said those that do join a sorority in spring tend to stay until graduation.
Spring 2006 saw slightly less than 500 women sign up for rush week, but only 320 women stayed. This year, 550 were recruited, and 370 continued to receive bids from houses.
However, Henderson said last fall 600-700 girls did formal rush, and the sororities saw lower retention rates. Henderson said more girls are staying on in the spring, even though fewer signed up because they are making an informed decision.
Lauren Smith, the Panhellenic membership recruitment coordinator for CU, said all those who come to spring rush are intent on joining.
“We spend an entire semester getting to know the girls prior to joining,” Smith said.
CU fraternity rush numbers are also steadily increasing, but not because of deferred recruitment. Fraternities refused to sign the deferred rush agreement with CU, which led CU fraternities to sever all official ties with the university.
Greek Advocate of the Interfraternity Council Marc Stine is a consultant hired by a group of alumni to work with fraternities.
“Historically, spring rush is less than half the size from fall,” Stine said.
Stine said this spring there were 200 participants in rush with 130 men receiving bids. Some men were offered multiple bids to join fraternities. Last spring there were only 94 bids.
Stine said the increase is because of the hard work of CU fraternities.
“One reason for the increase is the marketing of our organizations and filling it with good recruits,” Stine said.
Henderson said the changes in recruitment policies have created a stronger bond within the Greek system.
“I am excited about their future because there is a stronger community and many memorable changes ahead,” he said.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Renee Tavera at renee.tavera@colorado.edu
