Published: September 04, 2008 12:00 am            

Rush numbers down for frats, up for sororities

About 730 men participated in fraternity recruitment this week at the University of Oklahoma, down from more than 770 last year.

Michael Detten, vice president of recruitment for the Interfraternity Council, said the lower numbers were probably a result of the lower number of freshmen men this year.

The majority of fraternity recruits are freshmen, and although the freshman class was larger this year, there was a higher percentage of women, he said. Sorority recruitment hit a record number of 997 participants this year, according to the student newspaper The Oklahoma Daily.

On the upside, Detten said he anticipates a higher retention rate for fraternities this week. IFC's goal always is to have a high ratio of men who go through recruitment actually committing to a fraternity.

That commitment will happen today. Fraternity recruits received "bids," or offers to join a fraternity Thursday evening.

At a meeting 5 p.m. today in Dale Hall on OU's campus, the men who received bids will officially commit to fraternities. Also at that meeting, the new pledges will see alcohol-safety and anti-hazing skits and talks, Detten said.

A young man who goes through recruitment could possibly not receive a bid, but Detten said that is unlikely because every fraternity on campus wants to increase its numbers.

"It's possible, but every house on campus wants to sign somebody," he said.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com

        

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