Collegiate Times

Potential new members of the Greek community go through recruitment to find friends, fun and a group to become a part of.

Whether rushing a fraternity or a sorority, a student's experience during recruitment is often his first glimpse into Greek life at Virginia Tech. However, it is not often aware of the planning that goes into the elaborate recruitment process or the organizations that oversee Greek life.

Fraternity life among Tech's 36 chapters is managed through the Interfraternity Council, the national organization of Greek letter fraternities. It creates rules and policies for all fraternities and organizes different chapters spread across the country.

For fraternities at Tech there are two recruitment periods: one in the fall and one in the spring. While individual chapters hold most of the recruitment events, the Interfraternity Council also sponsors certain events that promote general recruitment.

One is Greek 101 in which both fraternities and sororities can set up tables and let people know more about their chapters.

"We provide the opportunity for people who may not know what the Greek system is like to learn a little more about it," said Matt Penny, president of the Interfraternity Council. "You can find what you think will fit you best, then go to those fraternities' events if you choose."

There is also a nationwide governing body for sororities, which is called the Panhellenic Council, and it oversees the 13 Panhellenic sororities at Tech. Like the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council provides regulations for all sororities and unites different chapters.

Unlike fraternities, however, sororities at Tech have only one formal recruitment period, which occurs in January. Until then, all Greek women are encouraged to portray a strictly "Go Greek" attitude.

"They're expected to encourage new members to go through recruitment, but not necessarily to go through their chapter," said Camille Waldron, president of the Panhellenic Council. "We want all potential new members to go through unbiased and with an open mind."

For fraternities, recruitment takes place over a period of about two weeks.

"The first week and a half is open recruitment, and the events are open to any male - even a senior can do it," Penny said. "Then there is a period called 'closed recruitment.' During this stage, the only way you can attend an event is to be invited back. These are usually more formal. You must be invited, and you are able to choose which ones you would like to attend."

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