Last week more than 650 men rushed 26 fraternities in hopes of getting a bid in their dream fraternity.
Rush took place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 and is where guys who desire to be in a fraternity go out and become familiar with the brothers and try to find the fraternity that is best for them.
Recruitment is twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.
Elliot Cook, senior in history and president of Phi Gamma Delta, said while most guys rush during the fall, spring semester offers a second opportunity for some.
"I went through spring recruitment, and it gives you an opportunity to take a semester and see who you like and figure yourself out," Cook said. "My advice would be to look around at the other frats and see what they have to offer."
"Rush is all about getting to know people on a first-hand basis," said Ryan Stitz, senior in physical education and member of Delta Tau Delta. "You want to get and understand what the person is like and how they react to certain things, like if they're social or not and know what they have in common with the person in the fraternity."
Stitz said a rushee can see a whole new side of college he would have never gotten a chance to if he would not have joined a fraternity.
"I've seen the best of both worlds, being Greek and non-Greek," Sitz said. "Both sides are very enjoyable and there are a lot of memories that I'll never forget."
Bo Mantooth, assistant director of Greek Life, said, despite the economy, the turnout was great and better than expected.
"Our office markets recruitment and rush and they set things up," Mantooth said. "Our fraternities here at Auburn mainly do recruitment, which is 365 days a year. Rush is just one week out of each semester."
Mantooth said about 85 to 90 percent of the new rushees are freshman and they can go to whichever house they prefer and check out which one interests them.
"Recruitment is really sort of the lifeline of the chapter," Mantooth said. "They have to recruit new men to replace themselves. So if you're a president, you have to recruit someone who you think will be a good president for your fraternity one day."
Mantooth said rushing is beneficial to freshmen because of connections they can make both socially and professionally and give benefits such as block seating.
"It sort of gives you that sense of belonging right at the beginning," Mantooth said. "For the 30 percent of the campus that does go Greek, we give them what we can, and we try to make it the best time they can have. But going through as a freshman is very important in sort of getting acclimated from the transition from high school to college."
Philanthropy is important throughout all Greek organizations at Auburn.
Two years ago IFC Fall Philanthropy Challenge was started to help the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County to get their name out and let people know they can be a part of the community.
Greek Week, Oct. 18-22, is also a community service based event that will give money to Boys & Girls club and put defibrillators in police cars.
"When I first got my bid to a fraternity, I got to know a lot of people," Stitz said. " I've had a lot of good memories of being involved in a fraternity and I'll never forget it."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
