Sororities begin earlier this year

The chalk may have started to fade, but the year is just beginning for the Greeks of Kent State. Sorority recruitment kicks off tonight and fraternity recruiting efforts span throughout September.

“I don’t think people realize the work that goes into [recruitment],” said Joanna Jones, vice president of membership and retention at Delta Zeta.

Kent State sororities usually have several weeks to prepare for the new school year and to recruit new members. Instead, Jones said, this year the groups only have 10 days between the first day of school and recruitment night, making for “a lot of long nights.”

Fraternities have more time to round up candidates than sororities. Most chapters wait until the end of September or early October to finalize new memberships.

“It’s hard to find the right ones,” said Brad Winfield, president of Tau Kappa Epsilon.

“A lot of people get the wrong vibe about frats,” he said, referring to the common perception of “frat guys” who focus more on partying than their involvement with their fraternity.

Winfield said his fraternity tries to weed out those kinds of students and focus more on students who show motivation and commitment.

Most fraternities and sororities share this mentality. With philanthropy as one of the main focuses for Greeks, they search for students who show the willingness to give back to their community.

“We’re looking to rush guys who will help the fraternity, the Greek community and Kent State,” Sigma Nu President Matt Fabinak said. “They have the most potential to grow with the fraternity and become even better men.”

Most Greeks have set high goals for recruitment despite the turn in the economy.

“We’d like to get between 15 and 20 new guys,” Winfield said.

Fabinak said Sigma Nu’s goals are similar.

This week, Jones said, sororities will be doing the bulk of their recruitment. Sorority candidates will visit all six houses and then choose the one that best suits their needs.

“When you find the right house, you just know,” she said.

Interested students have until tomorrow to decide to take part in the sorority recruitment process. On Sunday, each sorority will bid on candidates and invite them to join the chapter.

Fraternities will spend the majority of this month networking across campus trying to find potential candidates. Fabinak said most fraternities try to connect with students through different clubs and organizations around campus hoping to find well-rounded prospects.

Jones said students who are interested in getting involved in Greek life can visit www.kentgreeklife.com for more information.

Contact Greek life and ROTC reporter Kate Sheafer at [email protected].