Despite closing sorority recruitment registration three weeks earlier than in years past, Panhellenic Council (PHC) officials say this year's recruitment is one of the largest Penn State has experienced in recent memory.
Both the PHC and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) expanded their recruitment campaigns this year. Both organizations held more information sessions than in previous years and expanded their public relations programs.
Sorority recruitment registration closed Friday at noon, with 738 women registered. Fraternity recruitment registration is ongoing through formal recruitment, and more than 1,000 men have already registered.
"It is as large, if not larger, than last year in terms of registration," IFC President Luke Pierce said.
Sorority orientation for potential new members took place Monday and chapter open houses begin today. The first fraternity zone events -- a series of open-house events for potential members -- begin today.
The PHC shortened the duration of some of the recruitment events and consolidated the event schedule to eliminate two days from the schedule, PHC Executive Vice President Kirsten Fleming said.
The changes will help potential members manage the process more easily, as well as attract more women before they join other time-consuming organizations, Fleming (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said.
"Time management is important," she said. "Not to get overwhelmed. It's an intense process, but it goes quickly."
Amanda Lownes (freshman-finance) said she is slightly worried about the time commitment of formal recruitment, but she's more excited for the experience.
"I don't really know what's going to take so long," she said. "I hope it doesn't get repetitive, but I'm sure it will be really fun."
Lownes said she is sure she wants to join a sorority, but she is keeping an open mind about the individual chapters.
"I went to a really small high school," she said. "There were only 45 girls in my graduating class. Being in a sorority kind of reminds me of the sisterhood we had at that school."
On the fraternity side, John Whitney (freshman-business) said he is not sure if he will pledge a greek organization, but he was not deterred by the new $10 IFC recruitment fee, passed Aug. 25.
He's more peeved by the restrictive nature of guest list-based social events, where attendees are required to be registered for rush as well as on a guest list.
"The guest list thing is annoying," he said. "You have to go and basically sell yourself, and you can't really explore as much."
