Fraternities and sororities may have problems recruiting new members due to an increase in the amount students must pay if they break their contracts with the Department of Residence.

In 2001, students who broke their housing contracts with the Department of Residence after move-in day were required to pay 8 percent of their room and board.

In the fall of 2002, if students broke their residence hall contracts after the designated move-in day, he or she was required to forfeit 20 percent, or $1,200 of room and board cost, said Kate Bruns, communication specialist for the Department of Residence.

Due to higher rates of contract cancellation, fraternities and sororities haven’t been able to assist new freshmen in the move-in process, said Alisa Frandsen, assistant dean of students from the office of greek affairs.

“In the past, fraternities and sororities have helped pay, but when rates increase, it’s more difficult for them to afford,” Frandsen said.

Fraternities and sororities recruit members year-round, she said.

“The increase in rates for breaking contracts is very difficult for fraternities and sororities,” Frandsen said.

Shawn Eagleburger, vice-president of FarmHouse fraternity, said this is the first year he has seen the effects of increased move-in rates.

“[Fraternities] want to recruit men who we know are coming to Iowa State and make sure they’re interested in the greek community,” said Eagleburger, junior in interior design.

Eagleburger doesn’t advocate recruiting potential members that are still in high school.

“High school [students] often have other commitments,” he said.

Eagleburger said although the Department of Residence is trying to set a budget for the upcoming year, fraternities are doing the same.

“I think it’s important that [fraternities] and the Department of Residence come up with the same issues,” he said.

Fraternities need certain numbers of membership to succeed as a chapter, Eagleburger said.

With the proposed Department of Residence July 1 housing contract deadline for 2004, chapters could potentially lose 50 percent of their membership for the year.

The more notice a chapter receives for a housing contract deadline, the better they can prepare for recruitment, Eagleburger said.

A loss in membership would be detrimental for the greek community as well as the university, he said.

Bruns said no official date has been set for housing contract deadlines for next year and nothing has been decided, but a deadline should be set in the winter.