Swinging into action
Rush week offers chance to see what Greek life is about
Rush week swung into full gear at NDSU as fraternities across campus played host to a numerous events in an effort to recruit potential members.
Rush week is held once every semester to invite students interested in Greek life to get to know the fraternities and their members.
Theta Chi Vice President Rick Wilson said that attracting students to fraternities during the spring semester is more of a challenge than the fall semester.
“ It’s a lot harder to get people to come out during the spring than the fall, so we host a lot of events, such as poker tournaments and boot hockey, to get people to come out,” Wilson said.
Frank Michael of the Interfraternity Council said students can expect to have a lot of fun while seeing what each fraternity has to offer.
“ A lot of fraternities are having food donated by Buffalo Wild Wings or Applebee’s and are having poker tournaments, broom ball and other games and events,” Michael said. “Rush week is about getting to know the guys and having fun. It is a great opportunity that can be overlooked on campus.”
Michael said that a lot of what is said about fraternities simply isn’t true and that students should come see for themselves what the organizations are like.
“ Fraternities are a very tight-knit family,” Michael said. “Some students who are transitioning from life at home to dorm life might miss that sense of family and belonging. Greek life can bring that feeling back.”
Fraternities and sororities at NDSU also play an active role in volunteering in the community.
Joshua Boschee, coordinator of Greek Life, says that rush week is a great time for students to learn about the fraternities and sororities on campus and what they do for the community and the students themselves.
“ Greek life isn’t like what is depicted in movies such as ‘Old School’ and ‘Animal House’,” Boschee said. “Last semester, fraternities and sororities did over 2,600 hours of community services and donated over $55,000 to charities in the past four months. They do a lot for the community and for the students themselves. It (Rush week) is a place to get to know the different members and what their values are and how students can benefit for the organizations and how the organizations can benefit from the students.”
Boschee also said that sororities will start their recruitment events this Saturday.
“ Women start their recruitment process on Friday afternoon and will have informational meetings on Friday evening,” Boschee said. “(Sorority rush) is a bit more formal process so that each person has an equal chance of being placed in the house that they want. Saturday, the sororities will be giving house tours and Sunday is when they choose their members.”
If students are interested or want more information about rush week and Greek life, Boschee recommends visiting the Greek life Web site at www.ndsu.nodak.edu/memorial_union/greek and/or visiting several chapters during the week’s events.