FSL Recruitment Week

MELANIE MUTASEK
STAFF WRITER

9/22/2025

During the fall semester at Alma, fraternities and sororities host a one-week recruitment process, also known as Rush Week, filled with events and traditions to get to know possible new members (PNMs). September 21st marks the beginning of this process for Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). 

Planning for recruitment week began in Spring, where schedules and recruitment roles were determined. Each chapter chooses their own pre-recruitment event in order to introduce their organization in a fun and interesting way. Hannah Peitsch, the Assistant Director of FSL, said that these events are based on “new trends” and what’s “popular during that time”.

Once the week begins, more traditional recruitment events take place. 

The first event is an open house, where PNMs explore the houses and meet existing members. Each house has a time slot for an event during that week to build relationships with PNMs. On that Friday, sororities receive their new members, with fraternities receiving theirs on Saturday.

Bid day and Runouts are the final events of the week. Bid day is when new members receive which chapter they’ve been welcomed to. Run outs are when these new members get to run to their chapters house for the first time as a member. “It’s a long tradition at Alma College dating back over half a century and a surreal experience,” said Preston Stelljes (‘26), the current President of Tau Kappa Epsilon.

New members are chosen based on each chapter’s goals and values. The Integrated Campus System (ICS) is also used. This helps match PNMs to the best-fitting chapter, making the process quicker for those in recruitment roles.

Many current members see these final events as a highlight of the recruitment experience. 

There are multiple things expected from FSL members, as well as PNMs during this time. Members should be themselves, while also following rules provided by their governing body. “We want potential new members (PNMs) to know that we are a serious organization but understand that the people in the chapter are our own people,” said Lindsey Zarka (‘26), the current President of Kappa Iota.

New members are also encouraged to be themselves. “We want you for you, not for who you may pretend to be,” said Zarka.

During recruitment week, dry week is enforced. Everyone in the process should be involved with zero substances. “There’s a lot of decision making where you need to have a clear mind,” said Kaitlyn Fairley (‘26), the Panhellenic Senior Recruitment Chair.

As recruitment week approaches, chapters are preparing their homes for PNMs, to not only get to know them, but eventually welcome some of them into the chapters.

“Fraternity and Sorority Life is very unique on Alma’s campus, and I would say we are a gem,” said Thomas Frink (‘26), the current president of Phi Mu Alpha.