LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rising COVID-19 numbers on the University of Kentucky campus have prompted student leaders in the Greek community to move all of their fall fraternity and sorority recruitment events online this fall.
What You Need To Know
- UK hosts virtual rush event this fall
- 600 potential new members expected, compared to an average 1,000
- Fraternities and sororities to use Zoom for recruitments
Potential new members of Greek organizations at the state’s flagship university will participate in virtual rush activities instead of the traditional in-person recruitment. On average, the university’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) says about 1,000 men participate in fall recruitment, but this year, they expect about 600 potential new members.
“We're just trying to keep everybody safe and just trying to do what's best for our community. We want to be able to continue offering the great and rich fraternity experience for years to come,” explained Harrison Keith, president of the IFC at UK.
Thursday, UK’s student-led IFC voted to move all rush events fully online. While the changes haven’t stopped potential new members from rushing, those involved with planning the “new normal" say it’s been a big adjustment.
"I think that you know this decision is obviously hard and not what we wanted, but you know, still letting people have the opportunity to join an organization that's going to turn them into a better man I think, is the end goal for all of us. And you know, I'm still really excited that we have that opportunity to, to kind of give that to these incoming students,” explained Keith.
The university expects almost all of its fraternity and panhellenic chapters to use the popular Zoom video platform to host socially distanced meetings for recruitment this fall, and while it’s different, there's positivity from both current Greek life members and potential new members.
"You know, there's still gonna be chances for you to, you know, get that mentorship and build that brotherhood even if you know you can't be in person, so a lot of the elements are still gonna be preserved. They'll just look a little bit different than they have traditionally, but I still think it's an exciting time to be in a fraternity at UK,” added Keith.