IFC recruitment breaks records
The Interfraternity Council created the BRO program to increase recruitment.
Published July 7, 2010
The summer of 2010 saw a record-breaking number of students participate in the Interfraternity Council's formal recruitment.
"Things went really well," IFC Recruitment Vice President Ryan O'Connell said. "We actually had the largest attendance in formal recruitment history."
O'Connell said the 200 men who attended formal recruitment were a diverse array of students, which included a mix of both in-state and out-of-state students. He credited the increase in attendance due to much better marketing of the event.
Planning for formal recruitment has been taking place since March. Other members of the executive board helped with the administrative details.
IFC Membership Development Vice President Jazz Rucker helped this year by creating the Brotherhood Recruitment/Refinement Officer program.
"The outlined roll of the position is to facilitate formal recruitment and educate new fraternity males through the Greek 2 Greek program," Rucker said.
There are 12 members of the BRO program. Interested parties were invited to fill out a short answer application, which were blindly reviewed. Interviews were held in the next round, with the most qualified applicants chosen afterward.
Trained by Rucker, the members also received training from the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Center, Greek Life, the Wellness Resource Center and the Career Center, among others.
"I thought of the idea not too long after I was elected," Rucker said. "I wanted to establish a group of male peer Greek men that were willing to lead and educate their own community."
Rucker said he interviewed several MU administrators about the male Greek Life community and also did a personal assessment of what he thought MU might need.
"I also looked at other successful peer programs and borrowed applicable tools to get me started," Rucker said. "I looked for a name that was catchy and yet works to change the culture within our community. BRO came from a Greek Life staff member."
With the conclusion of formal recruitment, O'Connell said he is now responsible for helping students go through the informal recruitment process, overseeing the BRO program and reviewing the feedback received from formal recruitment.
"Usually we'll have one person from each chapter respond to the survey," O'Connell said.
Rucker said he will also help oversee the BRO program, as well as the Greek Development Program and the Greek 2 Greek program.
"I am also in the process of reviewing each chapter's new member education program to produce a model plan, as well as seeing what resources of academic support we can provide to chapters in need," Rucker said.
For men who did not accept a bid through formal recruitment but are still interested in Greek Life, there is now one more option — Phi Gamma Delta.
Associate Director of Expansion Wes Martin said he, along with a staff member, will be on campus for six weeks helping to establish a colony at MU.
"In the first week, we will be on campus, meeting with anyone as far as student organizations, faculty and staff, to get a feel for campus and get recommendations for men," Martin said.
In the following weeks, they will begin meeting with men, which includes a three-tiered interview process.
"We don't have a set number," Martin said about their recruitment efforts. "We won't turn away men that meet our requirements. We're looking for men of all classes who are academically focused. Additionally, we're looking for those who are already leaders on campus."