University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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'85 rush dries out IFC tries new format by Cory Dwyer An organized semi-dry rush was the format this year for the KSC fraternities. Inter Fraternity Coun- cil, IFC. under the advising of Pat McTcag- ue. developed this new type of rush to give incoming freshmen a better idea of the greek system. This change in rush included two days of structured rush parties during which no alcohol was served. After these parties, open rush parties were held. IFC has received a lot of positive responses from both fraternity members and pledges on this new system. According to McTeague, there is even a possibility for an all dry rush somewhere in the future. There are quite a few reasons why I FC decided to change rush from all varying to partly dry. McTcague said one reason was that pledge class numbers had stayed the same or gone down. IFC thought a struc- tured type of rush might help bring numbers up, because people would be going through rush out of interest for the greek system, and not just to party. Joe Maguire of Sigma Phi Epsilon felt his fraternity had a poor ratio previously, possibly due to people signing while under the influence of alcohol, and not really wanting to be in the house. He also believes some people lost interest when they found out fraternity life includes responsibilities, and isn't all partying. With no alcohol at the first two parties, both the rusher and rushee had clearer heads, and paints were understood much better. McTeague gave quite a few other reasons why no alcohol is a positive change in rush. Having the first two parlies dry enables the rushccs to see and hear about other parts of fraternity life. People who don t want to drink don't feel forced to at these parties either. More committed mem- bers are obtained without the use of alcohol, he said. Probably the most important reason for this change in rush would be the change in the drinking age. The houses are becom- ing more aware of their legal responsibili- ties, McTcague noted. Partially dry rush seems to be better for the greek system as a whole; it “helps get rid of the stereotype of always drink- ing,” said Maguire. The structured rush parties started Sunday. Aug. 25, with a rush orientation meeting, in which 30 to 40 rushees became familiar with the greek system and had an opportunity to meet some KSC fraternity members. The next two nights consisted of rush open houses. The group of rushees was divided into seven smaller groups of five or six people each, and they took turns going to the individual houses. Through these tours, the rushees had chances to meet many fraternity members, and they had the opportunity to visit each house before they pledged. No one was allowed to sign a house until the end of the week, Friday. Aug. 30. During the rush open houses, each house had 20 minutes with each group. In that time, the rushees were shown the houses and introduced to many of the members. The whole idea was kept very informal and casual. Although probably the majority of new fraternity pledges at KSC were signed during open rush parties, the first year of structured rush worked extcmcly well. “People were more conscious of the entire fraternity system,” said Scott Acrosmith, IFC president. Since it is such a new idea, IFC is hoping that dry rush will catch on. There have been many positive comments about rush running so smoothly this year, “no problem with police or neighbors,” said Scott Kulhanek of Phi Delta Theta. He felt that greek is becoming increasingly posi- tive, “up all over campus.” Dave Frick, a new Phi Dell pledge, thought rush “seemed well organized; I felt comfortable, not much pressure.” The results were good for the fraternities, with most of the pledge classes being larger then in previous years. A totally dry rush will probably not be the format next year, although the idea is being discussed for the future. Maguire commented on dry rush saving money for the houses while creating a need for more rush party activities such as football games and barbeques. Dry rush will also help outside views on fraternity life. However. Kulhanek thinks that rush will totally change if it is dry. People might lose interest, and summer rush would become more necessary. Whether the fraternities at Kearney Stale continue to use the partially dry rush developed this year or move on to a totally dry rush, they continue to create a more positive attitude within the houses as well as in the community, McTeagilc said.

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Additional fee picks up slack by Keith Dilley The 1985-86 school year at KSC was $10 more expensive than previous years. An emergency fee charged to students enrolled in more than seven hours helped compensate for cuts in the athletic budget and the general insurance fund. The emergency fee came on the heels of a legislative bill which reduced state support of KSC’s athletics from $209,000 to $104,500 for the 1985-86 school year. Overall, the KSC budget was increased only 3 percent which was far below the 19 expected by the college administration. Vice President of Administration and Finance Earl Rademacher said the admin- istration had looked at other possible insurance programs, but the combination of rising costs and the time shortage left the college no time for such considerations. The fee, which will be for one year only, will be divided 60 percent for athletics, and 40 percent for insurance usage, according to Rademacher. Rather than cut programs, the admin- istration thought it would be better to make schedule reductions. The first Loper foot- Earl Rademacher ball game against East Central Oklahoma was eliminated which Coach Claire Boroff said would save the program $5,500. “We have a commitment to students coming here. If we say we are going to have a sport, when that student comes, we had better have it,” said A1 Zikmund, Kearney State’s athletic director. “It wouldn’t be fair to drop a sport.” Zikmund said that if KSC were to drop a sport with only a few members, such as golf, it would cost the school a substantial 8