Fraternities kick off spring rush

Spring rush for fraternities kicks off tonight — a week later than usual — offering students a second chance to join Greek life as part of a growing trend of year-round recruitment.

Aaron Bachenheimer, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Community Involvement, said an increase in the number of spring recruits is a national trend.

“Nationally, and at Carolina, many fraternities have moved to 365 recruiting — that is, recruiting year-round,” he said.

“Our groups find it valuable, especially in the spring.”

He added that it is beneficial for those who, for whatever reason, were reluctant to pledge in the fall — and it helps the fraternities, as well.

“It is good for the fraternity in the long run for them not to put all of their eggs in one basket during recruitment in the fall,” he said.

But UNC’s chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity reached capacity in the fall and is unable to accept more members.

Cy Schroeder, president of the chapter, said it cannot offer bids to spring recruits because it cannot accommodate them.

“We had the biggest class we’ve ever had this year,” Schroeder said.

Representatives from each fraternity in the Interfraternity Council will host the kickoff.

Hunter Powell, vice president of public relations for the IFC, said the kickoff is designed for potential rushees to talk to the presidents of the fraternities.

“Everyone who is a part of the IFC recognizes that joining a fraternity is a beneficial opportunity,” Powell said.

“We really want to publicize so that everyone knows about rush.”

Peter Blumberg, who was elected president of the IFC in November, said he thought spring rush will become more popular because many parents want their children to have a semester of good grades as a cushion before they rush.

Blumberg said he hopes to implement new guidelines which include a better judicial process and a merit-based IFC scholarship fund, among other things. One major change has already been put in place: The start of rush has been delayed one week for the first time ever.

“The IFC recognizes that it is important for students to get settled,” Bachenheimer said.

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.