Fraternity and sorority recruitment for new members has begun on the Kent campus.

Beth Gittons, assistant director for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, said recruitment provides the chapters with new ideas and excitement for the upcoming semester.

A student has to decide if Greek life is for him or her. Then, when deciding what organization to pursue, the student must consider it as a whole group and not base his or her decision on an individual, Gittons said.

“Go for it,” said Stacey Berkley, senior international relations major and member of Sigma Sigma Sigma. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s a good way to show you’re a leader on campus.”

Berkley said she decided to become a part of a Greek organization because she wanted to meet new people, have a sense of family on campus and gain leadership opportunities.

Berkley also tells students who are unsure to go through formal recruitment and see if any organization feels like home.

Christa Berry, senior fashion merchandising major and president of Delta Gamma, said it is important to consider the reason why a student would be interested in joining a Greek organization and all the things involved in being a part of one.

The first event is Greek Info Night from 5 to 8:30 p.m. tonight in the Student Center Ballroom.

“For students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority, it is very important to attend Greek Info Night,” Berry said. “(The students) can learn about each organization’s philanthropy and meet some if its members.”

Members representing all Greek organizations will be present, Gittons said.

“Ultimately, it’s about the people,” Gittons said. “You choose a group of people to share the ups and downs with in college.”

Current Greeks will be there to answer any questions, including what to expect in formal recruitment, Gittons said.

“I went to Greek Info Night when I decided to rush,”Berkley said. “I got to meet the girls ahead of time and when I went to formal recruitment parties they remembered me, it was like home.”

Gittons advises students to be honest about their interests to the fraternity or sorority members.

“The organizations are the people, and if the student has any interest in becoming Greek, come to Greek Info Night and meet the people,” said Gittons.

Recruitment is important to the fraternities and sororities – it is what keeps them functioning year after year, Berkley said.

“Recruitment is a good way to meet new people and keep our sorority going,” Berkley said.

Women interested in Greek life are encouraged to sign up for recruitment until midnight, Sept. 16 at http://www.kent.edu/campuslife/greeklife/index.cfm, Gittons said.

Men do not have sign-ups. Instead, they are urged to approach current fraternity members or see Gittons in the Center for Student Information office in the Student Center, she said. Gittons will give the interested men’s names to the fraternities and they will contact them.

There will be a separate Fraternity Fair in the upcoming weeks. This will also be held in the Student Center.

Contact Greek life reporter Lauren Polly at [email protected].