Sigma Nu, a fraternity at UCA, hosted an in-person event last Thursday for their preference round during the week of recruitment. 

This event was led by a week full of activities hosted by the fraternity in order to recruit potential new members. Recruitment gives current members of a fraternity the chance to recruit potential new members. 

The event was a dinner that took place at the Sigma Nu house where rushees and members enjoyed a meal while bonding with one another. 

In order to adhere to COVID-19 regulations, masks were worn and the audience was monitored by the executive team of the fraternity. 

Attendees were split up into various rooms in order to spread everyone out and adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

Members served prepared plates of food while wearing masks and gloves. 

“Current COVID-19 guidelines prevent more than 21 people to be in our chapter room at one time so we had members and potential rushees eat in our living room, kitchen table, and on folding tables in the chapter room,” Sigma Nu Recruitment Chair Ethan Marbaise said. 

There are currently 52 members of Sigma Nu, 42 of which were in attendance along with six potential new members. The turnout was less than anticipated but the event was still considered a huge success by members. 

There were many that were unable to attend due to work conflicts and although 12 were invited, only half of them attended. 

The turnout was what the recruitment team anticipated it to be and there was plenty of food for everyone. 

The dinner gave the rushees an opportunity to connect with active members and hear from alumni. The alumni spoke about their previous experiences in the chapter, including their favorite memories and life lessons they learned while being a part of the fraternity. 

“Our goal was to show potential new members a welcoming environment that encourages diversity, involvement, and academic excellence and we believe we achieved that goal”, Marbaise said. 

While potential members were deciding whether or not they wanted to join, the current members were deciding whether or not they wanted them to. 

There is a highly selective process that the members adhere to when determining who they want to give a bid to. Once someone receives a bid to a fraternity or sorority, they are invited to join the chapter and are then allowed to either accept or decline. 

Marbaise said, “Our goal is to find guys who are committed and display the characteristics of love, truth, and honor. We look for guys who have a passion to get involved in UCA and in their community and value brotherhood, service and academics.” 

The dinner drew to a close and the following day Sigma Nu gained five new members during bid day.