Author: Ben Miller

Greek organizations may have a harder time recruiting new members due to the low enrollment of this year’s freshman class.

On average, Ohio Wesleyan University admissions have a goal of 600 new students each year that is usually met or exceeded. This year only 490 freshmen arrived on campus in August.

OWU is 40 percent Greek, which means in a normal recruitment season there would be about 240 new members spread throughout the Greek community. However, if only 40 percent of this year’s freshman class plans on going through spring recruitment there will only be 196 new members.

“I think that the number of new members each fraternity will sign will certainly be down due to the smaller class size, but overall I do not think the quality of men signed by each fraternity will change at all,” Dan Kasian, VP of Recruitment Events for the Inter Fraternity Counsel (IFC), said.

OWU’s Panhellenic Counsel and IFC have been working hard to make sure this year’s recruitment is well advertised and marketed. According to Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Fraternity and Sorority Life, Dana Behum, there aren’t going to be many changes to how the Greek system approaches spring recruitment, however, more upperclassman are expected to go through formal recruitment.

“Over the past three years the average spring new member class for women’s organizations has been 16, while the average new member class for men’s organizations has been 13,” Behum said. “My hope is that this year rather than focusing solely on the number of new members, that our focus may continue to be about finding the right fit for each person who wants to serve as a leader in the Greek community.”

On Nov. 6, at 12 p.m. there will be an informational session in the Benes rooms for women interested in going through with spring recruitment.

“We are really excited to meet new girls and introduce them to Greek life,” said Carly Zalenski, Vice President of Recruitment for Panhellenic Counsel.

One sorority raised more money for its philanthropy last academic year than all other Greek organizations on campus combined.

Delta Delta Delta sorority (Tri Delta) surpassed their goal for raising money for their philanthropy, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Last spring, Tri Delta raised over $25,000 in one semester, making them Ohio Wesleyan University’s leading Greek organization in terms of monetary contributions.

The sorority put on various fundraisers last year, the first being the organization’s  “Sincerely Yours” letter-writing campaign to encourage family and friends of the OWU community to donate to St. Jude’s.

“Each girl is required to do a certain number of [letters], but most girls go above and beyond and write a significant number more,” said Dara Markus, Tri Delta’s philanthropy chair. “That is the main way we raise that money.”

Tri Delta’s annual spring philanthropy event is Pasta for Life, an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner with a $5 admission charge, and raffle basket bidding.

“Pasta for life was a very successful event [last spring], I had a great time and I learned a lot about St. Jude, also that ice cream bar was amazing,” sophomore JT Knoble said.

St. Jude has been very grateful for Tri Delta’s contributions on a national level. In 2010, the sorority pledged as a national goal to raise 15 million dollars in five years; they accomplished their goal in 3.5 years.

“The women of Delta Delta Delta are to be congratulated for their fundraising accomplishments,” said Dana Behum, OWU’s Greek advisor. “Their ability to partner with local and national organizations in order to raise such an impressive amount showcases their organizational skills, enthusiasm for the cause and passion for improving the lives of others. As a Greek community, we are fortunate to have such focused and compassionate members serving local and national philanthropy efforts.”

Tri Delta has high hopes for the upcoming semester. They are partnering with Sigma Chi fraternity for their second ever Kicks for Kids philanthropy event.  The kickball tournament that will take place Oct. 5.

“We will head in a positive and aggressive manner this year so we can do as much for St. Judes as possible,” Markus said.