The sun., 1907-04-07
MORE DELIBERATE RUSHING.
Columbia students Discussing Reform In
Fraternity Elections.

Abuses have crept into the fraternity sys-
tenn at Columbia and arrangements are
under way to bring about a complete reform
in the fraternity life, particularly in the
matter OF rushing freshmen. The move
ment is supported by the leading fraternities
at Columbia.
There are at Columbia twenty fyaternities.
Some Of them own houses but the ma jority
rent homes varying in style and location so-
cordng to their finances.
Heretofore the system OF rushing new
men has been simple and has consisted in
making one mad rush for the desirable fresh
men, beginning with the day college opens
or even before and lasting until the chapter
rolls are complete. Each fraternity takes
in from three to ten new men each year, and
as the supply Of freshmen that the frater-
mites consider desirable is limited the con-
test for the best men is waged hotly early in
the year.
On the first day that he is in college the
new man finds himself beset with invitations
to lunches or smokers, all Of which it is a
physical impossibility to accept. II he ac-
oepts any and il liked, he is likely to have an
invitation to join some group Of men before
the end Of the first week. Sometimes
months before the man comes up to college
he is brought 10 a smoker and he may be
pledged before he has seen the inside of one
Of the college buildings.
Delta Psi. Alpha Delta Phi. Phi Gamma
Delta and Beta Theta Pi are leaders Of the
movement TO change the present system
Representatives Of these fraternities met
few days ago and sent a circular letter to
all the other fraternities suggesting that q
pan-Hellenic convention be held to discuss
the matter, and II possible bring about
some change in the system q rushing.
Most OF the frateTnities have assented to
the proposition and the convention will be
held soon after the Easter holidays.
The general sentiment among the fra
ternity men was expressed by fraternity
man who said:
"The system of rushing at Columbia is
at the beginning Of the year that it often
turns out badly both for the man who is
rushed and for the fraternity.
-Often men who are found not 20 Oe con-
genial with the other men in the chapter
are taken in or else a man Pledges himself
20 some fraternity only TO find that he is in
a group Of men with whom he has little in
common. Joining a fraternity 10 an inn
portant step in a mans career and one
VIII ch he ought to have time to consider
carefully
"Just what steps will be taken is not def
nitely known. II has been suggested by
some of those interested in the scheme that
Columbia follow the system in force at
Barnard College. where the sororitIes have
fixed a certain date before which no pledg-
ing can be done.
SAt Barnard this date is April I. ard on
the morning OF that day there II a wild
scramble to get invitations to the desirable
girls. This year. as April fell upon a holi-
day. most Of the iris who are desired by
the fraternities received invitations to
UaNharipay on MnndaU nfwhS
in importance from a fudge party TO a
theatre party. and ending with night spent
at the fraternity rooms. where the pledginR
will be done.
Some men at Columbia object to this
system on the ground that agreements are
not likely TO be kept and that consequently
those fraternities where the agreement Il
strictly lived up TO will be at a disadvantage
with those fraternities that do not stick TO
the agreomenL'