Attendance at summer rush parties has been average to disappointing. Delta Upsilon and Theta Xi held parties in Boston last weekend while other fraternities hosted events in Washington and New York. A few parties in other cities had to be canceled due to lack of interest. Some rush chairs have said questions centered on alcohol policy and MIT's response to the death of freshman Scott Krueger last fall. The freshmen seemed satisfied when told of the resident advisors, alcohol awareness programs and other reforms in the rush process.
Rush takes place a day later than in previous years.
It will be preceded by a Residence Midway at the DuPont Athletic Center in which all living groups may participate. In addition to Phi Gamma Delta, one other fraternity has been suspended from recruiting freshmen. Sigma Alpha Epsilon lost its rush privileges for serving alcohol to prospective freshmen during Campus Preview Weekend. Margaret R. Bates said SAE's status was under discussion with its alumni corporation and current members. Prior to that, a pilot program was under consideration, even though President Vest had announced the all-encompassing policy last December.