Sara Herren
6/21/09

New Policies introduce “low frills” and structure to Greek Recruitment 09
New policies reduce the flashy, showy, dancing aspect of sorority recruitment to “low frills” and emphasize conversation. Sororities are not the only organization experiencing change, fraternities are as well. Booze and endless games of corn hole will be replaced with structured and organized recruitment procedures. Director of Greek life Dr. Ron Binder has been working with sorority and fraternity council members with hopes of improving the policies and rules of Greek recruitment.
In the past, sorority recruitment has been known for their songs, dances, skits, and delicious finger foods. Recruitment was and still is a four day event and each day encompasses a different theme. The first day is scholarship day followed by philanthropy day, leadership day, and sisterhood day. Throughout these four days each sorority discusses and presents dances and skits to show how it excels in each category. Not only did the sorority girls have to dress for the theme, the girls coming through recruitment also had to wear certain attire. This year will bring changes to the old ways of recruitment. Binder is implementing a “low frills” policy. This policy will reduce the amount of time given to the slide show skit and dances. No food will be served on the sisterhood day. Rushees are being asked to dress more casual this year. Instead of wearing a sundress on day two, they are asked to wear gamecock apparel shorts and sandals. With the heat of the summer Binder wants the girls to be as cool and comfortable as possible. “Low frills” is meant to increase conversation and reduce time that is taken up by the “showiness” of recruitment. With more emphasis on conversation the girls going through recruitment will have the opportunity to get to know each sorority better. “It’s the conversation that sells a rushee your sorority. You are basically giving them a sales pitch in fifteen minutes. To be able to extend the time will allow the rushees to truly understand what each sorority is about and find the one they belong in,” said Margaret Raczkowski, senior member of Delta Zeta sorority. Binder thinks that recruitment provides great skills for the future. “Recruitment prepares you for the job market,” Binder said. Binder believes it’s the conversation skills you learn that lead to success in the future. Diana Joyner, Collegiate chapter director for Delta Zeta, likes the “frills” of recruitment however she said, “we want the whole Greek system to get better. And these changes will help that overall goal.” “Low frills” is not the only change sorority recruitment will adopt.
Another change that has been implemented is primary in secondary quota. Primary quota is the number of freshman each chapter is allowed to offer a bid to. Secondary quota is the number of upper classman each sorority is allowed to offer a bid. This fall will be the first time sorority recruitment has used this quota system. Joyner said, “This change will put all chapters on an even playing field when it comes to accepting upperclassmen. It will also afford upperclassmen the ability to be accepted by any chapter.” The “low frills” policy and the primary and secondary quota system are moving the recruitment process in a positive light according to both Binder and Joyner.
In past years, fraternity recruitment was a time to booze and bond according to senior member Ricky Paton or Kappa Sigma fraternity. His fondest memories of fraternity recruitment were drinking with his brothers and getting to know the rushees. They use to take rushees out at night or take them fishing during the day. According to Binder, in the past rushees were to sign into every house by putting their name, year, and hometown. Once a fraternity found a rushee that they liked they would verbally offer them a bid. There was little organization during the recruitment period.
Binder hopes to make fraternity recruitment more organized. Fraternity recruitment now uses the ICS system, which is an online registration system that sororities have been using. With the online registration system each fraternity can anticipate and prepare for each rushee that walks through the door. They can get to know a little about them before they actually meet. Bids are also going to be given out online. Sorority recruitment trains girls (called Phi Chis) to walk around with the rushees and help them throughout the rush process. Fraternities will also be using Phi Chis. More emphasis is being placed on their training. They are being provided shirts and folders with instructions to further distinguish their role. Binder also wants no alcohol in the presence of a rushee. Another rule in place is fraternities are not allowed to contact rushees after a certain hour. With more organization Binder hopes fraternity recruitment will improve.
Binder thinks positively about this year’s recruitment. With the “low frills” policy, conversation should improve, which is Binder’s ultimate goal for this fall. He also hopes, with more organization in fraternity recruitment it too will be successful.