Many fraternities nationwide are going dry, with up to 20 percent of men living in alcohol-free housing, according to the Alcohol Free Housing Task Force.

Twelve ISU fraternities are alcohol-free, which has initially affected membership, but not to a great degree.

While recruitment rates are down, retention rates have skyrocketed, said Brandon Cutler, president of the Interfraternity Council and member of Theta Chi fraternity.

“Retention is the most important thing,” said Cutler, senior in agricultural studies. “It’s not uncommon when a house goes dry, to lose half of the membership, and a lot of the people that drop out join for the wrong reasons.”

He said wrong reasons include the social life and partying, and having an alcohol-free house challenges a person’s belief in what a fraternity really is.

“It depends on what environment the student wants to live in,” Cutler said.

Alisa Frandsen, assistant dean of students from the office of greek affairs, said dry fraternities vary by chapter. Some fraternities, such as Farm House, have been dry for about 10 years while others have been dry for the past few years. Additionally, some dry fraternities statistically have better success overall, she said.

“I think any time that you pull alcohol from a residence, there is potential for a better learning environment,” Fradsen said.

Cutler said he believes an alcohol-free fraternity leads to a better environment for its members.

“Alcohol-free fraternities provide a more conducive environment and provide a place to study,” Cutler said. “There are a number of wet houses that also do well, but it comes down to the student, and [the student’s] belief in what a fraternity really is.”

Cutler said a dry fraternity house is also appealing to parents.

“Since a lot of student’s parents are paying for [their child’s] college [education], it’s comforting for them to know that their children will have a positive learning environment and not have beer in their fridge,” Cutler said.

Fradsen said she feels most people do not understand why fraternities go dry.

“There’s a misperception that the university has made frats go dry, but there hasn’t been a conduct decision made through the judicial affairs office,” she said.