By Rachel Morse, Staff Writer
Hunter Paul, acting sophomore, calls to one of his brothers on Bid Day on Sept. 10 at Lamda Chi Alpha's house.
Officials predict growth for campus Greek life, and the Interfraternity Council plans to effect some changes.
IFC members recently voted to shift the date of fraternity recruitment to Orientation Week in attempt to accommodate the expected increase members, IFC President Josh Stewart said. IFC has not specified a timeframe for fall rush in the past.
“There are a lot of positive outcomes to this change,” he said. “We will be able to provide the students with the niche they need during the first weeks of school.”
The former framework for fall rush has not been effective in promoting year-round recruitment, Stewart said. IFC members believe the campus fraternities will have a more successful fall and spring recruitment process by moving it forward.
“The future forecast of Greek is expansion,” he said.
The date change may influence campus fraternities to alter their normal calendar of recruitment events, Stewart said. Potential conflicts include auditions, orientation activities and sorority rush.
IFC has no “intention” or “authority” to enforce a change, he said.
“Because these are marketing events focused on providing new students with mingling opportunities, OCU probably won’t be seeing them during that timeframe,” Stewart said.
Brandon Burkett, music freshman and member of Kappa Sigma, said he sees the logic behind the change but doesn’t think it will have positive results.
It will be hard to persuade guys to rush without campus involvement, he said.
“We’ll make the best of it that we can,” Burkett said. “I guess we’ll see when recruitment comes.”
While not every fraternity member agreed with IFC’s decision, it’s not unusual when change occurs, Stewart said. IFC leaders have been able to answer the majority of questions concerning the new recruitment.
“Everyone has to adapt,” he said.
IFC still is considering other ways to promote the Greek system and incorporate popular fraternity events, Stewart said. Through an IFC-hosted “Greek Week” or by moving the social events several weeks after rush, campus favorites still will be a possibility.
“They can totally happen,” he said.
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