UNI’s four Panhellenic sororities have doubled in size in the past 5 years, a growth not experienced by their Greek male counterparts. Panhellenic Council President Anna Ryder attributes the sororities’ growth to their hard work at recruitment.

“There have been so many good things that have happened since these numbers have increased,” Ryder said. “Like higher recognition from our peers and UNI’s administration and higher participation in our philanthropic events.” The Panhellenic Council is also planning to add a new chapter to accommodate the growing interest.

 According to Ryder, the new chapter will most likely be installed by formal recruitment in fall of 2016.

“We, as a community, just finished up the voting process,” Ryder said. “We are now in the process of setting up our Extension Committee, who will help our community pick a new nationally-affiliated chapter to bring to our campus.”

UNI’s Fraternities, however, are not experiencing the same membership boom. Steffoni Schmidt, Program Coordinator for UNI Greek Life, attributes this mostly to their recruitment process.

“The women have a very structured recruitment, which encourages all women who sign up to visit each chapter and see all their options,” Schmidt said. “On the other hand, the men’s recruitment process is more individual from one member to another, which may limit their initial intake numbers.”

Shane Boyer, President of UNI’s Interfraternity Council, or IFC, agrees with this theory.

“My feeling on why sorority life is on the rise is due to their recruitment process. Sororities use a formal recruitment process,” Boyer said. “IFC nationals say that this is not the best way to recruit men. The less holes you make a college man jump through, the better results you will see.”

Many active fraternity members feel that the current recruitment process is best.

“I found the recruitment process very laid-back and welcoming,” said freshman financial management major and fraternity member, Reed Shepherd.

Nationally, college freshmen have a peaked interest in Greek life. According to study done by the Washington Post, 15.5 percent of freshman women and 11.3 percent of freshman men in the fall of 2014 planned on participating in Greek life, as opposed to 11.1 percent of women and 7.4 percent of men in 2003.

Some other incentives to join Greek life include their focus on academic achievement and the many volunteer opportunities they provide.

Each chapter has unique qualities, from their crest to their open motto, and each have different requirements in order for a potential member to receive a bid or invitation to join.

Sophomore Greek life member Tim Scheve was pleased with his initial experience going into fraternity life.

“The amount of brotherhood and instant feel of community was very attractive,” Scheve said.

There are many possible reasons for this surge of interest in Greek Life, both nationally and on campus. Schmidt attributes it to their sense of community and belonging.

“Greek life also offers deep friendships and a ‘home away from home,’ which is something that many college students are seeking,” Schmidt said. “Being part of a group like a sorority helps students, especially freshmen, adjust to college life and being away from home.”