Potential new members watch on as part of recruitment in front of the Phi Mu sorority house at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Monday, Sept. 15, 2014. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
Fraternity and sorority recruitmentweek is now underway, and just as the freshman class numbers have swelled this year, the numbers of those going through recruitment have increased as well.
The number of males registered for fraternity recruitment went up from 1,131 in 2013 to 1,231 in 2014, an increase of 100 enrolled students. Sorority recruitment has increased even more, jumping from 1,386 in 2013 to 1,556 this year, an increase of 170 enrolled students.
“As the freshman classes continue to grow, it’s just logical that we’re going to see the numbers participating in recruitment continue to grow as well,” said Danny Blanton, director of public relations for the university.
While the overall registration numbers increased in both fraternity and sorority recruitment, the registration rates of minorities were not so consistent. While minority registration for sorority recruitment increased from 82 females in 2013 to 103 in 2014, the minority registration number for fraternity recruitment decreased from 84 males in 2013 to 82 in 2014.
Blanton said that while recruitment is a major part of this week, the university urges students to not lose sight of their academic pursuits. Students are released from recruitment if they miss any classes to attend recruitment rounds, and if a student misses a round of recruitment due to a conflicting class, that particular round can be made up.
“I know that the Dean of Students’ office takes great care to make sure that the students’ studies come first, and that their academic performance isn’t interfered with,” he said.
Fraternity and sorority recruitment began Sunday and will continue through Sept. 21.
