The two-day fraternity spring rush process is slated to begin tonight, following an unusually low turnout for most houses during Winter term.
The Interfraternity Council hopes that this spring's numbers will meet or exceed last year's, and IFC President David Grey '05 predicted the winter's low numbers of sunk bids will mean increased rush classes this term.
"We are expecting numbers on par from last year or maybe even a little higher because winter numbers were down a bit," Grey said. "But overall, we are not expecting major changes."
The IFC did not track the number of bids offered last spring, but 51 men who rushed accepted bids offered to them, ranging from one at Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity to 18 at Gamma Delta Chi fraternity. The number of bids offered does not always match the number of sunk bids.
IFC Publicity Chair David Wolkoff '05 said that usually most spring rush participants are off campus Winter term, but added that some on-campus sophomores decide to wait a term to join a house because of a busy winter schedule.
Rush will be held tonight and Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at each fraternity house, with food being served at most houses but no alcohol. Just as in the winter, shakeouts will take place at 9 p.m., with rushees allowed to shake out at one only fraternity. Rushees are encouraged to go to as many houses as they choose, and to wear formal attire, IFC leaders said.
Since first-period rush was moved to the winter, Gamma Delt has received the highest spring rush numbers by far, because a majority of the house's members participate in fall sports, especially football, and are off campus in the winter. Gamma Delt President Andrew Rankin '05 said the fraternity expects a similar turnout this year.
Hisaaki Kobayashi '06, who plans to rush this spring after spending Winter term skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyo., said that even though he does not know what to expect tonight, he believes it will be a fun experience.
Despite the fact that a majority of sophomores decide to join houses in the winter, Kobayashi said that he does not fear a lack of camaraderie with other sophomores who are already brothers.
Evan Weiss '06, who spent last term off-campus and plans to rush Chi Heorot fraternity, also doesn't worry about rushing in the spring, even though Heorot traditionally has low spring rush numbers due to its high concentration of members on winter sports teams.
"It's OK this year because four of us were off this winter, so we are all pledging together," Weiss said.
Wolkoff added that spring rushees are as satisfied as winter ones, pointing out that everyone is on the same footing once pledge period ends.
This is the third year that first rush period is in the winter term, and Greek leaders are still advocating a return to Fall term of sophomore year or Spring term of freshman year.
"The fact that you don't have an extra class paying dues in the fall means that houses can't do as much programming for the community or throw as many parties," Wolkoff said.
Rankin said that an earlier rush period would allow greater continuity between classes and officers.
Despite the push to return first rush period to the fall, Kobayashi in fact prefers the current system.
He said if rush were in the fall, the number of second-period rushees would be even lower, because most sophomores are on campus in the fall.
Under the current system, in which many sophomores go off campus in the winter to escape the oftentimes-harsh Hanover weather, there is a sizable number of spring rushees, according to Kobayashi.
Sororities will begin their spring rush process on Friday.
