Unfortunately, Rush numbers for fraternities and sororities can go all over the chart. Rush numbers were really strong at Ball State when I went through in 1987 (over 600 in fraternity rush), and dropped as low as 200 just a few years later. Now they seemed to have stabilized at about 300. I'm the Greek Adviser at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and this year sorority rush numbers were down about 60% while fraternity rush numbers were up 20%. Promotion of the positive benefits of greek life is crucial for recruitment success. It is also important to start thinking in terms of recruitment and going out and recruiting members when your organization needs them than sitting back and waiting for prospectives to come to you in rush.
In regards to the issue of universities forcing greeks into university housing and taking over fraternity and sorority houses, this is a common tactic at many small, private, liberal arts colleges. In many cases, it is not actual liability issues which have forced these actions, but it is actually a forcable land grab covered up by justification of "liability".
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