Following a recruitment process participants describe as less rigid than those of Interfraternity Council fraternities or Panhellenic Council sororities, 10 students accepted bids during this winter’s coed recruitment, which concluded last week.
Four students accepted bids from Alpha Theta coed fraternity, which extended six bids total. Five students accepted bids from the Tabard coed fraternity and one student accepted a bid from Phi Tau coed fraternity, which extended three bids in total.
While both coed and single-sex Greek organizations typically see fewer participants during winter recruitment, Alpha Theta president Rebekah Kimball ’14 said this season brought even lower numbers than in past years.
Phi Tau vice president Aylin Woodward ’15 and Tabard president Andrew McKee ’15, however, both said that this term’s recruitment numbers met their expectations.
Phi Tau held hourlong recruitment events followed by open houses the evenings of Jan. 13 and 14.
One student accepted a bid from Phi Tau, which is consistent with trends from past winter terms, Woodward said. The other two students who received bids may join the fraternity at any point before graduation, she said.
Coed rush is an attractive option for students seeking flexibility, said Justin Halloran ’16, who accepted a Phi Tau bid.
“There are no hoops to jump through,” Halloran said. “You’re hanging out there, they like you and they offer you a spot.”
Daniela Pelaez ’16, who joined the Tabard, said she appreciated its more casual and welcoming environment. She added that she has always felt comfortable there and did not consider joining a sorority instead.
“I’ve just always known a lot of friends here and I felt it was the right place for me,” she said.
Alpha Theta and Phi Tau use the more structured recruitment process.
Last week, Alpha Theta held two nights of open recruitment events, when new members learned more about the organization and decided whether they would like to join, Kimball said. The events were nonbinding and were publicized in campus-wide emails.
The fraternity extended bids at the conclusion of its second rush event on Thursday night. Accepted students had until Sunday morning to sink their bid.
“We try to create an environment that is very laid back and a lot less formal,” Kimball said.
In a process known as “rolling rush,” students first sign a rush book to express interest in joining Phi Tau. After current members deliberate, the fraternity extends bids, which students may accept at any point during their time at Dartmouth. Most students sink their bids during fall term, Woodward said.
Woodward is a member of The Dartmouth staff.
Tabard coed fraternity holds a nontraditional rush process in which interested students attend an information session, “Meet the Tabards,” which took place last Wednesday, McKee said. This year, all students who attended the session received a bid.
As long as potential new members are in good standing with the College, they are typically invited to join Tabard, McKee said. New members began their pledge term after sinking their bids during a meeting on Friday night.
During recruitment this fall, Alpha Theta extended 10 bids and saw six students sink bids, while Phi Tau extended six bids.
