Greek Life at a Crossroads article

[*winter*]

"An increasingly diverse student body, both geographically and socioeconomically, is choosing to get involved on campus in other ways, and traditional Greek groups haven't figured out how to attract newcomers."

I think this may be a part of it. Since public schools are going up in price, more lower income kids are getting hip and rolling the dice for scholarships at private schools. These students may not feel there is a place in GL for them, or it may come down to finances, as 33 mentioned.

I think Penn State is kind of its own case at this point, with the history there.

[GreekOne]

The move to deferred recruitment has had an impact for kids I know. Whereas, students used to arrive on campus and have an opportunity to pledge right away, by the time second semester has arrived many of the students who were anxious to affiliate in the fall have joined other clubs and organizations. Because they have already found a strong group of friends and feel their schedule is full, many don't see the need or have the time to commit to Greek life. You don't see this conflict in the SEC where recruitment starts before classes begin. This is a stated goal of the administrations who are mandating this and it seems to be working.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by GreekOne

The move to deferred recruitment has had an impact for kids I know. Whereas, students used to arrive on campus and have an opportunity to pledge right away, by the time second semester has arrived many of the students who were anxious to affiliate in the fall have joined other clubs and organizations. Because they have already found a strong group of friends and feel their schedule is full, many don't see the need or have the time to commit to Greek life. You don't see this conflict in the SEC where recruitment starts before classes begin. This is a stated goal of the administrations who are mandating this and it seems to be working.

I've always felt that if a campus has deferred recruitment, and the claim is that students are finding other outlets in lieu of the Greek System, then the Greek system is doing something wrong. They've got a whole quarter/semester to show the benefits and foundations of Greek Life. If they are doing it right, then there should be a clamber of students trying to rush.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

I've always felt that if a campus has deferred recruitment, and the claim is that students are finding other outlets in lieu of the Greek System, then the Greek system is doing something wrong. They've got a whole quarter/semester to show the benefits and foundations of Greek Life. If they are doing it right, then there should be a clamber of students trying to rush.

This. I used to believe what you stated GreekOne, but I came to realize that there are schools where deferred recruitment fits perfectly, mine being one of them. But even if it doesn't, if students are claiming after one semester that they've filled their schedules so completely that they don't have time to join a Greek org, there are other issues here.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

I've always felt that if a campus has deferred recruitment, and the claim is that students are finding other outlets in lieu of the Greek System, then the Greek system is doing something wrong. They've got a whole quarter/semester to show the benefits and foundations of Greek Life. If they are doing it right, then there should be a clamber of students trying to rush.

This x 1000. The “maybe joiners” have had a semester to see what a great thing it is. I know that being in a very Greek-heavy dorm definitely influenced me to rush. If I’d been at a “pre-first semester or nothing” school and had nothing to go on but stereotypes, rather than the great fraternity and sorority members I got to know, things would have probably been a lot different.

And I will never forget our idiotic former Greek advisor instituting first semester rush years later “to get them before they know better.” This “strategy” was partly responsible for the closing of two chapters.