New additions to MSU’s greek system will be selected throughout this month.
Annual recruitment for MSU fraternities and sororities begins with the Men’s Recruitment Open House from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at Lafayette Square in Brody Hall.
“We’re promoting it as an opportunity for groups to get out and promote themselves,” said Assistant Director of Student Life Amy Radford. “It’s also a chance for interested students to see what each group has to offer.”
All 29 traditional greek organizations will be present Sunday. Each group will have a table and members present with information about its chapter. “Open house gives interested students the chance to come to an area, meet people from each group and see which houses they think they would like to check out,” said Ben Peelle, Interfraternity Council vice president for recruitment. “It’s just a great event.”
Interfraternity Council Open Recruitment begins Monday, Sept. 9 and runs through Thursday, Sept. 12. During this time, interested students will have the chance to drop in at a house that interests them.
Peelle said all chapters will have activities planned for prospective students each night of recruitment. He also said recruiters are looking for men with strong character who possess solid leadership capabilities and want to make a difference at MSU.
“It’s a chance for students to talk to and network with people in each house,” he said. “But, for the most part, (recruitment) is set in a social, laid-back setting.”
Peelle said many people are aware of the social aspect of greek life and ignore community service.
“We just do whatever they need us to do,” he said. “The service aspect of greek life is so often overlooked. If you have a house full of 80 guys, think of how much work all of you could do in the community.”
Students interested in being greek have an idea of what they want out of a greek organization.
“Having respectable people, just meeting good guys is important,” biosystems engineering sophomore Eric Lachapelle said. “Doing community service is a big thing too. That sets a good example. Basically, you just want to find guys you fit in with.”
But Peelle knows what draws people in fastest.
“What gets most guys to come out during Open Recruitment is the food,” he said. “That seems to be a huge interest grabber.”
