Fewer male frosh invited to go Greek

Forty-seven fewer students have been invited to join fraternities, compared to last year.

Since Bid Night earlier this week, 362 men have decided to join one of the many campus brotherhoods, and more may be on the way.

Of the 514 bids that were offered earlier this week, 57 were declined, and 95 students have until noon on Friday to make a decision.

Director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Scott Reikofski said he expects about 40 more bids to be confirmed by the end of this week, making this year's overall pledge class total about 400, nearly that of last year's 408.

But the number of bids extended this year represented a 47-person drop from the 561 that were given last year.

Greek Life officials are unfazed by this change, however, since the overall size of fraternity pledge classes has gone up over the last two years, Reikofski said.

In 2005, 545 frat bids were extended, and 381 were accepted. 2004 saw similarly lower numbers: Frats gave a total of 481 bids, and 361 of those received were accepted.

The increase, Reikofski added, may be the result of stronger advertising campaigns to attract prospective brothers and greater interest among the rushes.

Increased public-relations efforts over the last couple of years have included postcards and banners designed to make the two-week-long rush more appealing.

Kappa Alpha Society's pledge class, for example, will be comprised of 11 men - six more than last year's, said Wharton junior Alejandro Paschalides, rush chairman of Kappa Alpha.

Paschalides credited this increase to the frat's improved reputation since last year and various rush events.

"We're chill guys - we like to have fun," Paschalides said. "We got some really good guys this year."

IFC president and Wharton junior Austin Pena pointed out that this year's rush went smoothly and had no major problems.

As those lucky enough to have received bids use the next couple of days to make their final decisions, chapter presidents say that, so far, they're satisfied with the results.

"We were really happy with the kids that came out," said Alpha Epsilon Pi president and Engineering junior Gabe Kopin, who expects a 23-person pledge class.

Other frat presidents share Kopin's enthusiasm.

"They're awesome," Sigma Alpha Mu president and College junior Josh Rosenbaum said of SAM's 20-person pledge class.

New-member frat education programs began after Monday's Bid Night and will last until initiation, which must be completed before spring break, according to OFSA regulations.

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