By Dan FletcherThe Daily Northwestern
Eight of the Interfraternity Council’s 17 fraternities reported increases in pledge class sizes over numbers from last year’s winter formal rush, fraternity representatives told The Daily Monday night.
Delta Upsilon reported the biggest increase, with 28 new members, up from 10 pledges last year, said DU’s recruitment chair Daniel Gornetzki.
“The sororities are already calling,” joked Gornetzki, a Communication junior. “They heard our pledge class was pretty attractive.”
Pledge totals compiled by The Daily as of press time were 322, although IFC President Andy Shlensky said the totals were 321 – up from 299 reported last year. Delta Tau Delta and Sigma Phi Epsilon reported the largest pledge classes, with 30 new members.
Some fraternity representatives also noted that they still had some bids outstanding.
Shlensky said this year’s numbers were the highest they have been since 1996, when Northwestern had more fraternities than it does now.
“The first night (especially) was incredible,” said Shlensky, a Medill senior. “Chapters came through and had a great start and that success carried through throughout the week.”
Rush ended on a Monday this year as opposed to Sunday last year, throwing a wrench in plans at some houses. For Alpha Epsilon Pi, the campus’ official Jewish fraternity, rush conflicted with Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
Despite this, Stephen Arnovitz, the fraternity’s recruitment chair, said this year’s rush yielded the largest pledge class the fraternity has ever had, reporting 21 new members, up from last year’s 14.
“It went really well,” said Arnovitz, a Weinberg sophomore. “Everyone had fun, the brothers and the new recruits included.”
Andrew McWilliam, recruitment chair at Phi Kappa Psi, said his fraternity closed rush early.
“We got exactly what we were looking for,” the Weinberg sophomore said of his 20 reported pledges, up from last year’s 16. “I tell the guys rush isn’t about numbers – it’s about quality. We got the highest quality guys we could possibly want. I’m ecstatic.”
The reported pledge class at Pi Kappa Alpha was 23, 10 members fewer than last year’s pledge class, but recruitment chair Mark Englert said that was in line with expectations.
“We had a large rush class last year and we were just looking for a good core of guys (this year),” the Weinberg junior said.
Sigma Chi saw a decrease in their reported pledge class size as well, down to 15 from 23 last year.
Recruitment chair Matt Mahon said some bids were still outstanding, so numbers are not final.
“Rush went very well (so far),” the McCormick senior said. “We have a tight, cohesive pledge class.”
Even though he didn’t think he’d join a fraternity when he came to NU, McCormick freshman Jeremy Roux joined 27 others pledging DU.
“Rushing really wasn’t a big deal,” Roux said. “Just getting to know a lot of guys closely and getting a close group of friends (already in the fraternity) got me to drop.”
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