Cheesesteaks in hand, frats begin spring rush

For the next week, Penn guys will have the chance to stuff their faces with wings, ice cream and barbecued burgers - and maybe join a fraternity as well.

Many frats across campus are relying on food to lure in prospective brothers throughout the next two weeks of rush, which began last night.

"No one is going to leave open rush hungry," said Wharton junior Austin Pena, the incoming president of the InterFraternity Council.

And so far, it seems, these tactics are working.

"I think the best cheesesteaks in town are going to be served," said Wharton freshman Jerrod Engelberg, who is planning on rushing.

Engineering freshman Reid Fletcher agreed, saying that a lot of people will be attracted by the food.

Social events that will take place at the beginning of rush will concentrate especially on serving popular types of foods.

"A lot of houses will try to bring something to campus that the students don't normally have access to, especially food," said College senior Kyle Williams, the vice president in charge of rush for the IFC.

For example, Sigma Nu hosted its first open event last night with an ice cream social; it will serve White Castle hamburgers at its house tomorrow.

"This year, we're doing some different events that we think will be able to bring more people in to get good freshmen and have a bigger and better class this year," said College sophomore Noah Weiss, rush chair for Sigma Nu.

And while frat parties are generally known for their generous supply of alcohol, these types of food will be served in place of such beverages - which are prohibited by the University and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs during rush - according to Williams.

Williams said the IFC has worked hard to ensure that all fraternity regulations will be strictly followed during rush.

"The big thing is that there's no alcohol or drugs during open rush events," he said. "That's the big thing that we're very cognizant about."

Open events will last for most of this week, after which each fraternity will host "closed" events that can be attended by invitation only.

The IFC will also be distributing maps for the first time this year that will include the locations of all 29 frat chapter houses and a schedule of events.

"We're trying to make it as available and welcoming as we can for every freshman, rather than just for the guys that know guys in fraternities or know that they definitely want to join one," Pena added.

"I like the idea of having a place where you can be yourself and feel at home in good company," Engelberg said.

Rush for sororities will begin tomorrow night with open houses at all eight chapters.

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