Greek recruitment has been over for a few months, and now the process of new member education and initiation for many sororities and fraternities at Baker University is coming to a close.
“Each chapter has their own time period for new member education and the processes that new members have to complete and go through before they become a fully initiated member of the organization,” Director of Greek Life Bryan VanOsdale said. “Typical for a fraternity or sorority is about a six-to-eight week process. That’s kind of a national average for a fraternity or sorority new member program.”
VanOsdale said new members are taught about the responsibilities of what is expected of a member of a greek organization at Baker.
“During the new member process they are taught the history of the organization locally and nationally, if it is one of the national organizations,” VanOsdale said. “They also will have certain obligations and certain educational programs on special issues such as risk management, responsible behaviors, time management and how to balance between academics and other extracurricular activities.”
Freshman Kasey Willnauer pledged the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, even though he said he had no intentions of joining a fraternity upon coming to college.
“When I came (to Baker) it kind of fell in my lap as one of those things to do, and I’m pretty excited I joined a house,” Willnauer said. “I think it’s one of the best decisions that I’ve made coming here to Baker.”
Willnauer said the men in the fraternity develop really good friendships during brotherhood week, during which new members actually stay in the fraternity house for a week.
“I think after brotherhood week and all that kind of stuff, it’s just that you become more like brothers,” Willnauer said. “There’s a bond between all the guys that’s something special.” Freshman Elizabeth Steele, recently initiated member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, said she attended events Monday through Thursday of initiation week, including a formal ceremony, taking a test and discussing reasons new members joined the sorority.
“That whole week got us ready for Friday,” Steele said. “It was fun. It was kind of crazy. It was really interesting.”
Freshman Blake Cantrell pledged the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and said he enjoyed initiation.
“You just feel like you’re more a part of the house,” Cantrell said.