6
Thursday, Sept. 10, 1970
University Daily Kansan
Alumni Offer Financial Support
Fraternities Weather Pledging Problems
By DICK HAY Kansan Staff Writer
Is the fraternity system at the University of Kansas dying? Many KU students think so, but Dave Andersen, Wichita senior and Inter-Fraternity Council president, disagrees.
Andersen said the decline in the number of people living in residence halls would help fraternities indirectly.
He said Tuesday that he believes the fraternities would regain the dominant position they once held at KU.
"The day is coming when freshman men will have to live in University-approved housing because of the great cost involved in operating a residence hall," he said.
Fraternities are on the University-approved housing list, and Andersen said "it would be a shot in the arm" for them.
'We do have a problem, but nothing that can't be solved. We'll hang on'.
He said this year's fall rush was the worst in years. Openings
were available for more than 250 men but only 159 participated in rush, he said.
This decline would seem to indicate a disenchantment with the KU fraternity system, but Andersen attributes the decline to other causes.
"The condition of the economy is the big thing," he said. "Also, parents were hesitant about sending their children to KU because of the increased tuition fees."
Because the number of openings greatly exceeded the number of men who participated, rush was unusually competitive this year.
He said another factor was the early rush this August. Many men who might otherwise have participated could not leave their summer jobs a week early, he said.
The small houses, those with fewer than 70 members, bore the brunt of the difficulties in attracting pledges, he said.
Despite these difficulties Andersen said he did not think any fraternities would fold. "Every house filled its quota financially," he said.
Two of the smaller houses, Zeta Beta Tau and Acacia, are far below their quotas but have no plans to fold, said Andersen.
Ken Stromquist, McPherson senior and Zeta Beta Tau president,
said recently, "We do have a problem, but nothing that can't be solved. We'll hang on."
Acacia, like many houses in trouble, is basing its optimism on a combination of alumni support and on-campus rush.
Andersen said on-campus rush for the first time was opened immediately after rush week ended. In the past, there has been a two-week period when no pledging was allowed, he said.
Lee Polson, Leawood senior and Acacia president, said Acacia's on-campus rush program was going better than he had originally expected. He said Acacia hoped to pledge some men soon.
AURH NEEDS YOU
The Association of University Residence Halls needs members to fill committee posts. As the only inter-hall organization, AURH serves as the backbone of communication between the halls throughout the campus. The success of AURH depends on the participation of the University hall residents. If you would like to become a part of a lively organization on campus and are interested in improving the residence hall system contact the chairman of the Committee that interests you.
Pat Green . Food Service . 864-5856
Sharon Hawley . Newspapers . 843-8367
Scott Hildebrand . Housing Board . 864-2623
Alex Thomas . Foreign Students . 864-2340
Benn Mann . Publicity . 864-6827
Steve Kelly . Board of Appeals . 864-2328
Mary Ross . Orientation & Leadership . 864-1465
If you have any questions or problems feel free to contact any of the AURH officers.
Mary Ward-President, 864-5948
Mike Sundermeyer-First Vice-President, 864-2625
Mike Bradley-Second Vice-President,864-6058
Bill O'Neill-Secretary, 864-6827
Steve Cohen-Treasurer, 864-6302