Although only 6 percent of students live in fraternities and sororities, anyone who is familiar with Iowa State can attest to the powerful presence of the greek system on campus.

The cost of living in a fraternity or a sorority is fairly comparable to living in the residence halls.

Stuart Sorrel, president of the Interfraternity Council, said pricing runs between $1,700 to $2,000 per semester, which includes living expenses, scholarship fees and food costs.

Carolyn Jones, president of the Panhellic Council and member of Pi Beta Phi, said sororities try to keep competitive with residence hall room and board rates to attract new members.

Sorrel, senior in marketing, said the majority of houses have a personal cook who does the grocery shopping for residents.

“Rush” is the infamous word entailing just how students officially become part of the greek system. Sorrel said every spring, fraternities and sororities receive lists of incoming freshmen, and the houses send letters to entice students to visit their houses during “formal Rush.”

For the men, Rush takes place during the summer, while for the women, formal Rush takes place a week before fall semester begins.

Sorrel said current members’ recommendations of students from their hometowns is one popular means of recruitment.

“It’s one of the biggest ways we get our members,” Sorrel said, adding that students are personally interviewed by house members during Rush. He said house members then decide whether to invite the applicants back to join.

Jones, senior in journalism and mass communication, said formal Rush is a “mutual selection.” She said female applicants get the opportunity to view all 16 sororities, and then decide which house is right for them.

Traditionally, ISU has had one of the most popular greek systems in the nation. Sorrel said the Midwest always has been known for its strong involvement in fraternities and sororities, and he believes many ISU greeks use their notoriety as an opportunity to get involved.

“With the ISU campus, there are so many avenues for involvement,” he said, adding that many of the activities during this season’s Greek Week have been charity-oriented.

Sorrel said some of the factors fraternities consider when choosing new members include if they have “been involved in high school, and if they have an outgoing personality.”

Jones said houses look for women with “good leadership qualities, people who are serious about scholarship and women who can fit into the greek system.”

Sorrel also noted that some houses require their residents to maintain at least a 2.25 grade point average.

Sorrel said he thinks the social nature of the greek system draws many residents. He said he lived in the residence halls during his first year at ISU, and that he felt “a lot more welcome” in his fraternity.

“You have 55 to 65 friends right away,” Sorrel said. “When you live in a frat, getting to know people is one of the big advantages.”

Jones said sororities are a great socializing force on campus.

“It’s a great way to meet people,” she said. “It’s also a great way to network on campus.”

Noting that many greek members are involved in community service projects affiliated with ISU, Sorrel said the greek system is a “catalyst for involvement.”

“It’s just a great way to get involved,” Sorrel said. “It’s an alternative, it’s something different and there’s the camaraderie.”

Wes Gray, member of Phi Delta Theta and sophomore in sports management, cited the greek system’s involvement with activities such as Homecoming, Veishea and Greek Week Varieties as one of the best parts of being a fraternity member.

Gray also said he has enjoyed the friendships he has made in his fraternity.

“I’ve got 55 best friends right now that I live with,” he said. “You can’t find that anywhere else.”

Sorrel admitted that the greek system also has its share of detractors, but he said he feels some of the media just “focuses on the negatives more than the positives.”

Sorrel also took issue with a notion that the greek system is exclusive.

“With the 31 fraternities and 16 sororities, there is a house for everyone here,” Sorrel said.

“The stereotypes are just that — they’re stereotypes,” Jones said, adding that before she decided to try Rush, she had her own ideas about the greek system. “They’re people just like you and me, from small towns, from big towns. You can find your place.”