Greek recruiters were disappointed Monday, as only 54 potential fraternity members turned out for the first day of recruitment activities.
Prior to Monday’s events, 140 students expressed interest in participating, but the number of those who actually attended was as low as last year’s headcount, according to Interfraternity Council President Tres Zaglool.
“We were hoping it would be a lot more than that,” Zaglool said.
Joe Rodgerson, president of Phi Delta Theta, said his fraternity receives a lot of pressure from the national chapter to hit recruiting numbers.
With 27 current members, Rodgerson’s chapter needs to recruit eight more students to hit the expected 35. But with seven fraternities competing for the same pool of 54 students, the chances of his chapter hitting its goal is unlikely.
“A lot of students are missing out on a great thing,” said Ryan Lufkin, chapter adviser for Phi Delta Theta. “There are a lot of long-term benefits…”
Lufkin said negative stereotypes and alterative choices are a big reason for the drop in numbers.
Although he was disappointed with the turnout, Mike Warren, president of Beta Theta Pi, is still confident that his chapter can hit its numbers.
“We can get others (recruits) through other events,” he said.
Recruiters spent the day convincing students like Sam Benedict from South Dakota who wasn’t sure if he would join.
But by the evening’s end, he was convinced: Joining a fraternity was the way to go.
As he and the other potential members went from house to house, Benedict asked questions-frequently about the women.
“The most common question we get asked is which sorority do you party with the most,” said Gabe Haley, member of Sigma Nu.
Each fraternity had a different selling point about its house. One explained how it could have parties in the basement and make it look like nothing was going on.
Another, that everyone in its house gets his own room.
After visiting a house, some potential members started making judgments.
“(Alpha Tau Omega) is way too serious,” said Garrett Burningham after visiting both ATO and Sigma Nu.
Other potential members have their minds set. Preston Asay, a freshman from Dallas Texas, had an older brother that was a Sigma Chi and wants the same.
“As long as they go greek, I’m happy,” Warren said. “I just want potential members to get into a house that they will be in for four years.”
Benedict sees a joining a fraternity as an answer to his social problem.
“It sounds like the way to go if you want to meet people and you’re not from here,” he said. “It’s hard to tell which one you want to join…because they are all alike.”
While recruitment week poses some difficult choices to potential members, it also puts additional pressure on the shoulders of current pledges.
With stiff competition for new recruits, Rodgerson said it’s the hardest week of the year.
He attends class in the morning and then rushes back to prepare for the night’s events that will go until midnight.
Fraternities are planning to host parties ranging from a pig roast to a beach party.
Recruitment will continue through Thursday evening.
Zaglool said students could still go through recruitment if they missed Monday’s activities.
“If you still want to participate, just go to room 270 in the Union and sign up,” he said.
For more information visit www.greeks.utah.edu.
