University of Virginia Library

Fraternities Fight To Retain Status

By Brian Siegel
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Fraternity Beer Parties Are Traditional Feature Of Rush And Big Weekends

Recently System Has Come Under Attack For Failing To Keep Up With Changing Pace of University

In the days of the "coat and
tie" and the freely flowing
liquor for which the University
was famous, fraternities were
among the strongest organizations
on the Grounds and
membership in a house was
mandatory for social success.

Change With Times

While the coat and tie and
consumption of liquor have
been fading slowly, the fraternities
have fought to retain
their domination over the University's
social scene.

Many of the fraternities
have come to realize they too
must change with the times.
Not only do they have to
compete with themselves now,
but competition with the growing
number of independents is
also evident.

With 33 fraternities, the University
has long been known for its
strong fraternity system. Each year
about 35 per cent of the first-year
class complete the Rush and join
their favorite fraternity.

Shortened, Rush

Rising costs and falling academic
ratings among fraternities have been
responsible for much of the reduction
of first-year interest.

Last year the rush period was
shortened to five weeks and proved
so much better than longer rush
periods that it will be repeated
again this year.

This year it will begin on
September 29 with the customary
dormitory visits and come to a
conclusion November 8 - Bid Sunday.
Between these two dates
rushees will attend fraternity parties,
meals, and smokers.

Although the rules during Rush
may seem ridiculously strict and
specific, years of former rushes
have proven them necessary.

Although there are innumerable
pros and cons to joining a fraternity,
a first-year man loses nothing
but a little time by rushing. Rush
provides the opportunity for meeting
a lot of people, attending some
very good parties, and getting excellent
meals gratis.

And after it is all over, the
rushee is obligated to nothing.

Rush was significant last year
for several reasons. It was the first
time in the University's history that
black students were pledged.

While several fraternities were
openly belligerent to black rushees,
five different fraternities accepted
blacks into their pledge classes.

Seller's Market

It was evident last year that
Rush was becoming more of a
seller's market. That is, rushees
could be more selective. In the past
fraternities had done all the selecting
with rushees fighting for the
limited number of bids.

An added feature to fraternity
life this year will be the new initiation
procedure. For the first time
pledges with a 2.00 average first
semester may be initiated after
spring vacation. Previously, pledges
had to have a cumulative average of
2.00 for a minimum of two semesters.
In previous years this meant
pledges could not be initiated until
they came back September.

This is not to say that fraternities
are obligated in any way to
initiate their pledge class at this
earlier time.