Friendships, job opportunities, classes and campus involvements construct the futures of every college student. For male students, fraternity recruitment is a process that can make all the difference.
Although it lasts two weeks, each fraternity only has two parties, but that does not mean planning is easy.
“Recruitment is not something that just starts in the fall,” said Andrew Bigelow, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and senior cell and molecular biology major. “It begins in the spring and carries through the summer into the fall.”
Each fraternity holds different events to spend time with potential new members before the official process begins. The houses do this to get to know the guys in a relaxed environment.
During the first week of recruitment, the Interfraternity Council hosts a cookout and potential new members get the opportunity to visit each house.
The second week involves preference parties at each fraternity house. The preference party is the fraternity’s last chance to teach the potential new members about and convince them to join their chapter.
“Preference is a night where everyone dresses up, eats a nice dinner and has the opportunity to talk more specifically about our fraternity and brotherhood,” said Nathan Rowland, Alpha Tau Omega president and senior physical education major. “Everyone needs to give Greek life a shot.”
This year, bid day is Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. — the first time bid day will be on a Saturday instead of a Friday. More people are expected to attend this year because classes will not conflict with the length of the event.
Along with the new date of bid day, bid cards will also be signed in a new way. Instead of signing bid cards on Friday in the Student Union Building, fraternity members will send an email bid card after the last preference party to Jason Castles, director of student leadership and engagement. said Drew Wells, president of Lambda Chi Alpha and senior chemistry major.
Drew Wells, president of Lambda Chi Alpha and senior chemistry major, said the goal of recruitment is to convince guys to join their fraternity, but more importantly to “give a genuine depiction of what Greek life can offer.”
To learn more about Union’s fraternities and recruitment, click here.
