Emphasis on returning to basic traditional values proves to be a strong sale for fraternities and sororities.
Spring Recruitment brought above average numbers of interested students to Ball State University greek life.
"Our numbers were up," Cory Schneider, Interfraternity Council vice president of public relations, said. "There is not an exact tally yet, but it was better than expected."
Although numbers appeared to be larger for fraternities, Ball State sororities saw a slight increase in the number of women interested in recruitment, Panhellenic Council Vice President of Community Relations Jennifer Eakins said.
She said the Meet the Greeks event went well, with a majority of participants being female.
Schneider credited the increase on the focus of tradition. Fraternities and sororities were putting emphasis on value rather than the quantity of students recruited, he said.
"We tried to go out there and show it's not all about the social aspects but networking," Schneider said.
Greek community leaders will attend a leadership conference called Phired Up on Feb. 22. The conference will teach fraternity and sorority leaders better recruitment practices.
The increased retention rates, hours of community service and better grades created a successful atmosphere, Schneider said.
"When people see successful communities that can benefit them, I think it's just natural that they want to join," he said.
The casual aspect of Spring Recruitment also attracted potential members.
Schneider said spring was a good time for those not sure of joining the greek community to come out because they will have a semester under their belt.
Potential recruits were enticed by people they know, friends and other connections they have made on campus, he said.
Eakins agreed with Schneider on the push to return to basics.
She said sororities used fliers, Facebook and the media to entice potential recruits.
Good advertising and tradition have not been the only things causing the rise in the greek community on campus.
Ball State's continued rise in admission standards gave the greek community with a good pool of students to recruit members from, Schneider said.
Eakins said the greek community's potential to grow was on the rise because the Office of Student Life had received numerous e-mails from both men and women interested in going greek who were unable to make it to Spring Recruitment.
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