Fraternity rush began with a bang Tuesday night, literally: smashed electronics, bullying boxers and a clanging mechanical bull.

As part of Winter Rush, Northwestern fraternities are offering catered dinners and entertaining activities through Saturday night to attract prospective members.

Some fraternities carry traditions over from year to year, while others search for untried ideas.

“We try to mix in some old ones and sit down and come up with one or two new ones,” said Chi Phi president Greg Leighton, a McCormick senior.

New activities this year include Chi Phi’s car demolition and Delta Upsilon’s midget wrestling, both Thursday night.

DU president Ryan Rotner said his fraternity’s recruitment coordinators wanted to choose unique activities to attract rushees.

“In the past we’ve done things that have been kind of standard,” said Rotner, a Medill senior.

Fraternity rush begins before sorority rush, which starts Thursday night and ends Tuesday night.

The schedule for Fraternity Rush is similar for all houses. Dinner each night is from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and activities are from 8 until 11 p.m. Rushees will not be permitted in the houses during the hour between dinner and activities.

Also, women traditionally are not allowed in fraternity houses during rush.

“It’s understood that this time is for the guys,” said James Troupis, IFC president.

As a kickoff to the week, IFC hosted an open house Monday night in the Louis Room of Norris University Center. The event attracted about twice as many men as last year, said Mike Saxvik, IFC recruitment vice president.

Men do not formally register for fraternity rush, but Saxvik said he estimates around 350 students will participate, an increase from 2002.

This year IFC pumped up publicity by having a recruitment listserv and posting events on HereAndNow. Troupis said he hopes new posters featuring celebrities and politicians with fraternity affiliations will help IFC give other angles to recruitment.

“We want to give them the other facts they don’t get from ‘Animal House,'” said Troupis, a Communication senior.

For older members, rush is a chance to meet the people who could soon join the fraternity, said Howie Shneider, Zeta Beta Tau president.

“It’s just so exciting because you’re getting a chance to shape the future of your house,” said Shneider, a Weinberg senior.

Many rushees said they appreciate the informality of Fraternity Rush compared to Sorority Rush. Weinberg freshman Theo Michels said while many women seem worried about joining a sorority, fraternity rushees seem laid-back.

“I don’t think there’s a single guy on campus who gets stressed out or feels any pressure during Rush Week,” he said.