14A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY NEWS
MONDAY,AUG.19,2002
Sororities strive to develop more accessible recruitment
By Todd Rapp
Kansan staff writer
Women interested in sorority recruitment this fall will find themselves in a shorter, more user-friendly recruitment program.
The recruitment process for prospective sorority members was condensed into one weekend, a change from two weekends last year. Women's recruitment begins Thursday and runs through Tuesday. Aug. 27.
"We just wanted to make recruitment easier on the women, so they didn't have classes in between."
Barbara Berry, Panhellenic Association vice president for public relations, said the change was implemented to benefit the women participating.
"We just wanted to make recruitment easier on the women, so they didn't have classes in between," Berry said.
The change is designed to make it easier for women to concentrate on school instead of worrying about the house selection process.
Members of the recruitment are not available for comment during the
"We wanted to keep it less overwhelming," said Beth Peer, Panhelenic graduate intern for fraternity and sorority life. "The further involved in class the women get, the more stressful they become."
Barbara Berry Panhellenic Association vice president for public relations
recruitment process.
The Panhellenic Association anticipated 800 women would have enrolled in formal recruitment by Aug.16, consistent with the number from last year's recruitment.
Women can register at the Panihelenic Association office for recruitment after August 16, but only until recruitment begins.
"We are not going to turn anybody away because they missed the registration," said Peer. "We don't want anybody to miss the oppo-
Those interested in signing with a sorority after recruitment starts may sign through informal recruitment, which begins at the end of formal recruitment.
nity."
This summer was the first formal recruitment for fraternities at the University.
Prospective fraternity members stayed in a sorority house over the weekend of July 13 to 16 and visited each fraternity, choosi:g their favorite houses. The formal recruitment coincided with the new student orientation of July 12 to 13, making it easier for out-of-state prospects to attend.
"I wanted a way for out-of-state students to get familiar with all the houses," said Egan Waggoner, Interfraternity Council vice president for fraternity recruitment. "During informal rush, a man may only see 11 out of 21 houses; we stressed that all chapters participate in formal recruitment, and they did." Waggoner said.
Fifty students attended the recruitment, and 40 signed with fraternities.
"For not having a formal recruitment last summer, getting 40 young men this year and participation from every chapter, it ran really smoothly," said Wagoner.
Contact Rapp at trapp@kansan.com. This story was edited by Andrew Vaupel.
Three fraternities renovate houses
By Todd Rapp
Kansan staff writer
Several fraternity members at the University of Kansas broke out hard hats and putty knives to renovate their houses this summer.
Both the Sigma Nu and Alpha Epsilon Pi houses underwent renovations and Pi Kappa Phi members renovated and moved into the former Alpha Tau Omega house.
"It was to the point where it was hard to recruit because our house was unliveable," Brad Heinz, Sigma Nu vice president, said. "We also wanted to restore the house's history."
The Sigma Nu house, which was formerly used as the Kansas governor's mansion in the late 1800s, underwent a substantial renovation over an 11-week period. The fraternity now has a new kitchen, as well as new carpet and hardwood floors. Members of the house volunteered their services during the demolition process and helped with certain aspects of construction.
"Because it was us doing the work, we'll respect the house and its history a lot more, and we won't let it get treated as badly," Heinz, Springfield, Mo., junior said.
"We brought the house up to date for 2002," Heinz said. "It now meets today's modern living standards."
The Pi Kappa Phi house also has high-speed Internet access in every room, thanks to the new wireless Internet system installed this summer.
Returning seniors will be given preferential treatment - a seniors-only lounge, complete with a newpooltable, home theater and their own sleeping dorm. All members will have a new phone system and high-speed Internet access in every room of the house via a digital subscriber line, or DSL.
"We all renovated our own rooms and we are real proud of it," Scott Brooks, Pi Kappa Phi secretary and Wichita junior, said.
Fraternity members carpeted and painted the Pi Kappa Phi house and contracted companies to install new plumbing and service the climate control systems. The men took possession of the former Alpha Tau Omega house June 1 after searching for a house for more than two years.
"It was the final step in becoming a full fraternity," Josh Kropf, outgoing Alpha Tau Omega vice president and Leawood senior, said. "We had a chance to get a house and live the full fraternity experience."
Alpha Epsilon Pi members welcomed renovations to their chapter house. A year ago, the city evicted the members of Alpha Epsilon Pi because of code violations. Specific violations included a hole in the staircase, problems with electrical wiring, and a wooden door leading to the boiler room. The violations were given a quick fix and the members were allowed to return to their house within two weeks. Brian Gryll, Alpha Epsilon Pi president, said the eviction helped the house receive support for large-scale renovations. A total renovation was completed this summer.
"We did little things throughout the past year, but the big push was over the summer." Gryll, Wilmette, III., junior said.
Gryll said he hoped the renovations would improve retention of active members living in house and increase interest in recruitment.
"Morale is higher than it has been in a while," he said. "Instead of walking back from class to a house that looks like it is falling apart, we come back to a legitimate house."
Contact Rapp at trapp@kansan.com. This story was edited by Lauren Beatty.
Student Jobs at the Computer Center
Learn more about information technology and computers while you earn $6.50 to $12.00 to start and get great experience for your future in a flexible, fun environment.
Visit our information table at the Student Employment Job Fair Tuesday, August 20, from 9 a.m.--4 p.m. in the Kansas Union Lobby (4th Floor).
Current openings:
Statistical Computing Consultant (GRA)
Programmer/Consultant
Distribution Technician
Benefits:
Computer training
Flexible hours
Full-time summer and holiday options
Contact: Lawanna Husliq 785.864.0493 lhusliq@ku.edu