The first fall-quarter fraternity recruitment since 2009 brought in an average of 29 new members per chapter. “It seems all the chapters are having great success,” Silva said. “Overall, it went well.”
By Samantha Sullivan
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The Interfraternity Council’s (IFC) recruitment week wrapped up successfully, Coordinator of Sororities and Fraternities Diego Silva said.
Fraternities reported an 88 percent return rate on bids given out. The 17 chapters gave out 495 bids, with 439 of those accepted. The average chapter, according to Silva, received 29 new members.
Last year’s recruitment saw 380 bids accepted, Silva said.
IFC President and business administration junior Domenic Hjerpe estimated approximately 2,500 students attended the recruitment barbecue this past Tuesday. He did not know, however, the exact number of students who went through the recruitment process.
While the removal of deferred recruitment may have contributed to a slight bump in the number who rushed, Silva said it’s most likely due to the increase in overall Cal Poly enrollment.
“I think it still would have been high if we had recruitment this coming winter,” Silva said.
Political science freshman George Will said it’s better to rush sooner rather than later.
“It’s a lot easier to make friends, get more comfortable with the home and establish yourself right in the beginning of school,” he said.
Will, who accepted a bid from Zeta Beta Tau, rushed in order to make friends, gain a brotherhood and draw experiences down the line, he said.
“Just have homies to always rely on,” he said.
The larger greek community will also affect the Cal Poly community as a whole. Silva said the campus will feel the greek presence more this year.
“I think we will definitely see an increase in programs of on-campus events,” Silva said.
Having a larger greek community provides an opportunity for education about topics such as bystander intervention and effective risk management, he said. Also, a larger greek system provides the potential for more community service projects.
This is Silva’s third formal recruitment as coordinator of sorority and fraternity life. Each recruitment process becomes more organized with tracking numbers and advertising the events, he said.
“It seems all the chapters are having great success,” Silva said. “Overall, it went well.”