Fraternity recruitment on Ball State University's campus was postponed from Sunday to Monday because of rain but will continue through the week as normal.
This year set itself apart from previous years by kicking off the process with an open house. The Interfraternity Council was responsible for hosting the round-robin event, which was open to any man on campus.
"The goal was for potential pledges to get a feel for all of the fraternities on campus," Ken Burger, program coordinator for greek life, said.
Men interested in joining a fraternity weren't obligated to go, and they still have time to become involved with other activities during the week.
"This year our fraternity is really pushing the two scholarships that we have available, The Richard Hester Outstanding Leadership and James Gross Memorial, as ways to attract new men," Sigma Chi fraternity President Cory Schneider said. "We are also hosting cookouts, tailgates and reaching out to friends and acquaintances from high schools and hometowns as well as the many legacies that have arrived on campus this year."
The recruitment traditions Sigma Chi has held onto through the years have led them to hold the largest membership of any fraternity on campus, Schneider said.
Schneider said recruitment week was his favorite time of the year. His goal was to have 100 men come through the house, he said, but the recruitment process was an opportunity that was available year round.
Sophomore sports administration major Demar Amacker said he joined a fraternity in search of a solid group of friends, reminiscent of high school.
"I was looking for the same thing in college, so I joined Theta Chi and instantly had 50 new friends," he said.
Students interested in joining a fraternity now have the option of joining Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, which returned to campus this year. The chapter closed in 2005 because it was not meeting the required minimum standards or showing signs of progress after being given a specific plan for improvement.
Sophomore business major Ryan Paul attended the fraternity's first chapter meeting of the year as an associate member.
"It was a rough start because we have so much ground to cover, but we got our plans set for what we want to do," Paul said.
These goals include having the highest composite GPA of the fraternities on campus and focusing on community service.
Burger said fraternities on campus pride themselves on academics and their freshman retention rate, which is much higher among men who are involved in greek life.
Steps to join a fraternity1. Visit bsu.edu/greeklife to look at the week's events and gain insight into which house fits them best.
2. Attend events and get to know other people involved in the fraternity.
3. Men going through recruitment will then be asked to fill out interest sheets and contact cards.
4. The fraternity will review applicants and contact those chosen to attend further events.
5. Fraternity members will decide if they feel the potential new member is a good fit for their chapter. If so, they will extend him a bid.
Interested in recruitment for a fraternity?The rain Sunday postponed fraternity open houses to Monday evening. The week's events are informal and vary between groups. Below is the rough outline.Tuesday- informal events focused at getting to know new pledges and membersWednesday- same as aboveThursday- alumni invites and events incorporating themFriday- invitation-only events
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
