Sigma Gamma Chi and Lambda Delta Sigma welcomed hopeful pledges to the start of Spring Rush Week at the LDS Institute of Religion Tuesday.
Members introduced hopefuls to each of the 27 chapters in the LDS system during the first of four events on the weeklong agenda.
“This is the biggest spring rush turnout then we have ever had before,” Lambda Delta Sigma member Allison Bringhurst said. “The spring is usually smaller.”
Sorority President Deanna Farr said Spring Rush Week is to follow last semester’s rush with few exceptions.
“Both rush weeks are a lot alike,” she said. “The only difference is it is on a smaller scale.”
Sigma Gamma Chi member Jared Turner said winter rush gives students who might not have known about the chapters another opportunity to rush.
“It has really boosted our numbers,” he said. “Before 1998, we had an informal rush where we brought in around 120 guys every spring now we have six times that.”
Turner said the carnival on Thursday is by far the most anticipated event during the week.
“On average we have around 2,000 people show up for the spring carnival,” he said. “It is just a great activity.”
Turner said students who pledge and participate in rush week get into a chapter.
“It is not like the greek system,” he said. “Everybody gets in.”
U freshman Jamie Stephens said she is planning to rush so she can meet more people from institute.
“Boys, boys and boys,” she said. “Through the sorority you meet a lot of different people.”
During the week, pledges will meet and interact with the different chapters while attending open houses, the Sigma Gamma Chi carnival and other activities.
“I love it so much,” senior sorority member Andrea Egbert said. “It is so much fun. It’s like a party every night.”
Sigma Gamma Chi Member Matt Ericksen said joining his fraternity was one of the best decisions he made.
“Anyone who is thinking about rushing should do it,” he said. “It is really fun and an amazing way to meet girls.”
Lambda Delta Sigma Rush Director Andrea Webb said the chapters will welcome new members later in the week and anyone unhappy about their chapter will be able to change.”We will have a ceremony where everyone will be accepted into the chapters,” she said. “Everyone is allowed to join.”