The current economic tensions may have discouraged some students to ‘Go Greek.’ At the University, 27 percent of fraternities and sororities have seen a decrease in numbers, out of those, seven Greek organizations have seen a decrease of more than 10 percent. Jessica Hanna, president of Chi Omega sorority, which has seen a 31 percent drop from Spring 2008 to Fall 2008, said the economy is definitely a factor when one considers Greek dues. ‘A couple hundred dollars when you’re in college is a lot,’ she said. Every year, to be in a Greek organization, members pay’ annual dues which range from $25-800, according to the Web sites of different Greek organizations. Larry Serfozo, president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which has seen a decline of 27 percent, agreed that the membership fees could be too much in this economy. ‘We’ve had a few who have dropped because of the economy,’ he said. ‘They’ve dropped because they just couldn’t afford it this year.’ There have been other factors which lead to the rise or fall in numbers of Greek life at the University. The head of Greek life, Gordy Heminger, said the reasons for any decline could vary all over campus. ‘A lot of groups have a lot of seniors who have graduated,’ he said. ‘Throughout the fraternities on campus there are a variety of reasons for declining numbers.’ Hanna said that one of the reasons for a decline in numbers this semester could also be the way recruitment was done. ‘We had a different process this spring,’ she said. ‘Usually the sororities go to the new member doors on the final bid day, but this year everyone went to different sororities to get different bids. It was a little different.’ Serfozo added the way Greek life is perceived by other students at the University could play a role in membership numbers. ‘Even though we work hard to get rid of the stereotypes that turn people away from Greek life, it’s sometimes still a factor,’ he said. Overall at the University, numbers in Greek life have increased, Heminger said. The number of students at the University who are involved in a fraternity or sorority has increased from 12 percent of the student body to 13, or an overall number of 1,776 students in Fall 2008. Heminger added the Greek organizations that actually house students are more likely to have higher numbers. ‘As always the numbers in sororities and fraternities on campus with houses are higher than those off campus or without,’ he said. ‘We value a place for them [in the Greek system].’