IFC, Moneta discuss implementation of spring rush

InterFraternity Council leaders met with Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta last night to discuss the administration's role in implementing spring rush for IFC fraternities. Moneta was invited by IFC leaders to the information session to answer logistical questions concerning the University's mandate to move rush. The rush process will be moved next year from the fall semester to the spring semester in accordance with one of the recommendations released last year by the Commission on Strengthening the Community. Although no formal arrangements have been made by either the University or the IFC, leaders on both sides said last night that the movement will take place next year. The 10 to 15 IFC members attending the meeting, mostly chapter presidents, brought up issues concerning fall semester "showcasing" and potential housing problems related to conflicting deadlines between on-campus housing and chapter housing. Those attending the forum said Moneta was sympathetic to their concerns. "The feeling was that there is a continued support for the Greek system from the administration," IFC President and College junior David Treat said. But outside the meeting, some conflict still exists between the Commissions' recommendations and those who will be affected by it. "I think for them to dictate to freshmen, what they can and cannot do ? is a blatant violation of our rights as individuals," said Ryan Heil, college senior and social chair at Delta Psi and a College senior. Moneta said the fall semester will become more of a "showcase" as opposed to a "commitment" stage for freshmen interested in joining the Greek system. "The expectation is that no one will make a commitment until second semester," he said. For chapter presidents, a second concern arises from the date of spring commitments and potential housing conflicts. When the Commission initially recommended second-year rush last year, fraternities complained bitterly about losing funds from sophomores who would not be able to live in chapter houses. "People were worried about the housing issues, in terms of when the decisions have to be made," Treat said. But Moneta said housing deadlines would not work against the fraternities. "I think it's in my interest to find a way to have this happen ? [and] to have this not necessarily work against them," Moneta said, adding that the chapter presidents were reasonable in their questions and concerns. Although Heil did not attend the meeting last night, he said he feels encouraged by the fact that administrators are meeting with Greeks. Still, he said the effort to ease stress on freshmen through Spring rush is in vain, since sophomores are also free to rush. "The only thing I've heard is that they don't want to have freshmen feeling pigeonholed," he said. "[But] freshman aren't pressured to rush?[and] we've never discriminated a rush because of their age."

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