The fall rush for the fraternities ended on Oct. 14.
In total, the fraternities picked up 28 new members. The men’s Greek system implemented a new rush process this year that ran for an entire four weeks. Rush lasted for one week under the old system.
“For a first run with this [new] program, it went incredibly well for our chapter,” said junior Cody Eldredge, president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. “It allowed for us to be very proactive in recruiting the men we wanted.”
ATO picked up seven men including one freshman, a few sophomores, and two juniors. Eldredge said they would always like more men to join, but he is very proud of this year’s pledge class. The new ATO members will formally pledge Oct. 21.
Junior Andrew Smith, president of the Sigma Chi fraternity, said they picked up nine new members, seven of whom are freshmen. Sigma Chi hit their target range for pledges, Smith said. Their formal ceremony was held Monday night.
“The [rush] process was good but a little prolonged,” Smith said. “It had its ups and downs. It is definitely still better over all.”
Seven men joined Delta Sigma Phi, pledging four freshmen and two seniors for a good range of members, said junior Brett Miller, DSP president. Their ceremony will be held Oct. 18.
“The new system was a lot better than the old system,” Miller said. “There was more flexibility and we got more freedom and I’m happy with the guys we got.” They also had a few guys interested in joining next semester.
Senior Scott Rode, the president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity said they picked up five new members, who pledged Monday night. Because DTD does not pick up first semester freshmen, their numbers were fewer than the other fraternities. Rode said he expects the new members to add “something awesome” to the fraternity.
Rode said the new rush system worked well in that the fraternities got to know the rushees and the process didn’t feel “fake or forced.”
“I thought there were some really good things, and things we need to tweak and work on,” Rode said. “It really did give us more time to get to reach out and know the guys, and it was not fake or forced.”