Thanks in part to blockbuster movies such as "Animal House" and "Old School," fraternity life has long been portrayed as a life-changing, alcohol-filled and academically discounted experience. Ask any member of a Ball State fraternity, though, and most would tell you otherwise.
The only problem? Finding one of those members.
Issues with academics, financial woes and low interest have hurt Ball State's fraternities. The effect has been noticeable: BSU's fraternity enrollment numbers have dwindled over the last 10 years, down to 502 in Spring 2004 from 928 in Fall 1993.
Some have pushed the cause of the decline off on Ball State and its Interfraternity Council. Although reasoning for the accusations vary, some would argue that enforcing a dry campus policy, which took alcohol out of the houses in 2001, has been the biggest cause of the decline.
True or not, fraternities must admit that such a decision was for the better. The university's efforts have been in the best interest of the houses and the brothers who reside there. By altering the focus of the houses to academics, finances and similar issues, Ball State is in a better position to help its fraternities survive.
But that survival effort is more reliant on the fraternities and their brothers than anything else. If the houses remaining on campus truly wish to stay, they need to start adapting to the current situation. Especially when it comes to recruiting methods.
Financial problems are often a result of delinquent residents and low income brothers. If houses are not high in enrollment, the buffer zone for money quickly disappears. When this happens, the fraternities risk losing their houses to collectors or the university.
The simple cure to this problem is higher enrollment, and the only way that will happen is if recruiters start doing a better job.
We no longer live in an era when men rush off to college to join the greek scene, at least not at this university. With hundreds of organizations available on campus, fraternities now have competition. They can no longer sit around and wait for anxious recruits to show up on their front porch.
Instead, they have to put quality brothers out on the streets to pull in the right type of male. Sending the weakest link out with a stack of flyers will only encourage more problems.
Sure, Ball State's fraternities could continue doing things as they have, waiting and hoping for recruits to come knocking on their front door.
But if they do, that front door won't be there much longer.
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