Sign-up numbers from the first weekend of rush appear to have quelled fears that West Campus housing changes would decrease the popularity of fraternities and selective houses.
Several elements of the new upperclass residential life plan have created uncertainty among fraternities and selective houses. Beginning this fall, the University will guarantee sophomores housing on West and will offer them the option of living with freshman dorm mates in quads linked with their former dorms. In addition, fraternity and selective house locations will change.
Altogether, the changes had raised concern among rush officers and other living group members that the new system would lessen the allure of selective living. After the first weekend of rush, many living groups are reporting increased numbers of interested freshmen.
"We were really concerned about lower turnout, but it didn't really show from the numbers," said sophomore John Warren, rush chair for Theta Chi fraternity. He reported 131 rushees signed up this weekend, compared to about 120 last year.
The situation was similar among many living groups as freshmen made rounds Friday and Saturday evenings to begin the annual initiation process. Interfraternity Council groups and a few other selective houses held events; most selective houses will not begin rush until later this month.
Several group officers suggested that, rather than hurt rush and pledge classes, the West Campus housing guarantee may end up strengthening the groups by weeding out borderline rushees and attracting students who are sincerely interested in selective house life.
"Personally I think it helps because you get people who really want to be in the house, who don't just want to get in for the location," said senior Rudy Ruiz, president of Wayne Manor. He said about 200 potential members signed up this weekend, about the same as last year.
Alpha Tau Omega saw one of the largest increases among groups, signing 140 potential members, compared to about half that last year. The group's rush chair Joe Huffsmith, a sophomore, attributed the rise to increased publicity for events.
Some freshmen did acknowledge that the residential changes have taken away one incentive to rush.
"I think if there wasn't going to be guaranteed housing on West people would be a little more enthusiastic about rushing," said freshman Tom Lefebvre.
Other rushees said the guaranteed West placement and the linked option have not factored into their decision to rush, largely because the current situation is all they have known. The real effects of the housing changes may not be felt, some said, until new members begin pledging groups next month.
"Rush you can do as a social thing just to see what it's like. Pledging is a much bigger commitment," said freshman Jon Schnaars. "That's when you might lose a lot of the borderline people."
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