DeKALB | Changes are in order for all sororities at NIU. This year, instead of allowing girls to rush free of charge, female Greeks are charging a $10 fee.

The fee was put in place to pay for a new software system that allows each sorority to place their bids on rushees on time. The software has every house’s pledges put into the system and also allows each sorority to make their choices from their respective houses.

“[The rush fees were] meant to boost the Greek System,” an anonymous member of Alpha Phi said, in light of a policy which keeps the details of most Greek pledging activities confidential.

The money also was used to purchase each prospective member a present and to set up a refreshment tent for the rushees on Delta Zeta’s lawn, said Shari Lochowitz, College Panhellenic Council president and member of Delta Zeta.

Basically, she said, the money pays for pledging activities.

“This money will allow NIU to be on the same level as other universities,” Lochowitz said. “Other sororities at universities like ISU charge upwards of about $75.”

The CPC is the council that decided to enforce the new rush fee, although not unanimously.

Lochowitz said there also has been less turnout with girls who are rushing, but this decreased turnout has made it easier for the sororities to sort out which pledges are serious about joining.

The fraternities at NIU are not enforcing a rush fee because fraternities do an informal rush, whereas sororities have a formal rush.