Sororities are trying something new with recruitment this fall, which administrators hope will bolster retention and put the university in step with the rest of the nation.
For the first time in recent memory, sorority recruitment will be happening first semester, rather than deferred to spring. Beginning Wednesday, freshmen women will begin the five-day process in hopes of sporting new colors come Monday, Oct. 2.
By pushing sorority recruitment to the fall and leaving fraternity rush in the spring, Greg Roskopf, assistant director of student activities and judicial affairs, said he believes Loyola will in a better position to properly allocate resources. He also said that the shift to fall helps Loyola’s Panhellenic community better align with national guidelines, which encourage all 26 NPC organizations to move toward fall recruitments.
“It was something we were willing to try,” said Roskopf. Ultimately, he said, the goal is to create a “richer experience for membership throughout the year.”
The idea came about in a brainstorming session in the Office of Student Affairs during the Spring I semester. They encouraged sororities to discuss the option of a switch to fall recruitment. The change voted on by the four National Panhellenic Council organizations – Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta and Theta Phi Alpha.
When the idea was first pitched, Roskopf said it was well received by two of the four NPC chapters at Loyola. The dissenting chapters, he said, needed time to talk it over and have since realized the long-term benefits of fall recruitment.
“(The chapters) were working to protect their own interests… and they should,” said Roskopf. “I appreciated their comments.”
Since voting to approve the change, Roskopf said that every chapter is now committed to making recruitment as successful as it can be. “The chapters’ original apprehensions,” said Cat Haro, president of Panhellenic Association, “centered around the fear that incoming freshmen wouldn’t have the first semester to see what our Greek community offers. Given a little more time, many of them would come to see that we do things differently here and are truly a community.”
Potential new members look to benefit most from the changes. Roskopf believes that the shift gives female freshmen a better opportunity to grow, network and develop their skills and abilities. Now new members get an extra semester to get to know women in their organization, he said, especially the seniors.
“(Freshmen) will make important connections with an energetic group on campus,” said Roskopf, who believes freshmen will benefit from joining chapters because sororities help teach young women skills necessary for growth in college.
Apart from the move to fall, sorority recruitment will remain relatively unchanged. The only adjustment will be in the use of an NPC release figure model, which Roskopf says should give potential new members and chapters a better idea earlier of mutual selection.
“Our retention rate should rise by using this (system),” said Roskopf.
At its peak in 2004, between 125-130 women went through recruitment. Last year’s Spring I recruitment saw astronomical growth according to Roskopf – up to about 150 women. At press time, 82 women had officially registered for recruitment.
“This move has been a learning experience,” said Haro. “Having 82 women at this point is promising.”
Approximately 100 bids are typically extended, said Roskopf, who hopes to see between 80-100 bids extended this year.
“The plan is to follow the spring recruitment formula, realizing we’re going to have a smaller class,” said Roskopf. “As long as we stay committed, it’s going to be successful.”
Coleen O’Lear can be reache at [email protected].
