Greek recruitment is doing well this year, members say, despite rumors of problems.

“We have over 100 students signed already for this fall and that was for Monday June 16,” said Alisa Frandsen, assistant dean of greek affairs.

Frandsen said it was hard to comment on how recruitment is looking for next year because sororities are unable to recruit until fall and fraternities do most of their recruitment in the summer.

Frandsen said she has joined the vice presidents of recruitment at orientation almost every day this summer to talk to students about Iowa State’s greek life.

“We have a presentation that we do at day one and two [of orientation],” she said. “We show what the greek community has to offer students.”

Since the debut of “Fraternity Life” and “Sorority Life” on MTV, there has been numerous questions about what greek life is really all about, said Frandsen.

“We try to address the reality TV shows right away in orientation,” she said. “We try to tell them that this isn’t what greek life is all about and the fraternity that was in the show this year has been suspended for hazing reasons.”

Iowa State has come to the aid of the greek organizations by sending out a new recruitment magazine to all incoming freshmen this fall. The magazine highlights the history of the greek organizations, answers some frequently asked questions, and lists all of the sororities and fraternities at Iowa State.

The greek community is also reaching out to the parents of incoming students as well. The magazine includes a letter from the parent of a greek member describing their child’s experience with greek life on campus.

“When it comes to recruitment, each sorority and fraternity does it their own way,” said Frandsen. “Sororities have rush week the week before school starts.”

During rush week, sororities will perform house tours, talk to potential members about why they should join, and sponsor events open to the public to exhibit what sororities are all about.

Some sororities are also advertising on campus as well. Fraternities do calling pools, advertise on campus, and visit homes as well.

Jon Sievers, sophomore in agriculture engineering, is a member of the agriculture fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho, and in charge of recruitment.

“Our recruitment has been stronger than ever even with the budget cuts to the college of agriculture,” said Sievers.

When Sievers came to Iowa State, he was looking for new experiences, which the fraternity offered, he said.

“Not only are we a social fraternity, but we are a professional one as well,” he said. “There are a lot of things a student of agriculture can get out of being a member.”

Sievers said his fraternity offers assistance in interviewing skills and helps members get contacts in the agriculture world.

Alpha Gamma Rho has also been advertising on campus through letters as well, he said.

“Most of our recruitment is done through our fraternity’s alumni,” he said. “In fact, for this fall, we have 26 out of 29 spaces filled.”

When it comes to MTV’s portrayal of fraternities and sororities, Sievers said it has no effect on recruitment.

“Most of the people we recruit for this fraternity grew up on a farm and have not watched the show,” Sievers said. “I only got a chance to watch MTV once when I was at home. I don’t think it has had an impact at all and if it did it would be minimal.”