Nearly all social clubs are fostering a smaller number of pledges this year, partly because of the smaller-than-usual sophomore class.
The number of pledging participants has dropped from 371 last year to 294 this year. Most clubs were unable to have a full pledge class because of this smaller number.
Pi Kappa is the only club this year that managed to have an increase in the number in their pledge class, going from 12 last year to 14.
“We had a lot of guys who were interested because they knew guys in the club and by word of mouth,” said Robert Hull, Pi Kappa president and junior piano performance major from Riton, Calif.
Pi Kappa had three pledges in the fall of 2011, nine in the spring of 2012 and 14 this fall. These pledges will join the 12 active members this semester, and Pi Kappa is hoping to continue this trend of growing numbers in the upcoming years of pledging.
“The more members we get, the more people hear about us and know about us,” Hull said.
GATA also experienced a significant change in numbers this semester of pledging, but in the opposite direction. Last semester, GATA had a pledge class of 47, but only 20 students are pledging GATA this year.
“Pledging with a smaller pledge class will hopefully create an even better environment for making those long lasting friendships,” said Bailey McMath, GATA pledge mom and senior speech pathology major from Missouri City.
GATA is not disappointed with the smaller numbers, and is in fact looking forward to being able to spend more quality time with each girl.
“We love each and every one of the girls who decided to pledge and are excited to go through these next few weeks with them,” McMath said.
McMath said a smaller pledge classes mean more a more personalized pledging process for those who did decide to pledge.
While a more personalized pledging process can be beneficial for many clubs, pledges may also have to deal with more scrutiny from members.
All the other clubs on campus experienced a drop in pledge numbers, though some differences were minimal. Ko Jo Kai went from 53 last year to 52 this year, and Sigma Theta Chi went from 51 to 50. Frater Sodalis has the smallest pledge class, fielding only eight sophomores and juniors.
Pledge class numbers at the beginning of pledging  (includes spring pledging)
CLUB Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2011-2012 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2012-2013
Frater Sodalis              13                         8
Pi Kappa                  12                        14
Sub T-16 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16
Galaxy                    31                         22
Trojans                   44                         29
Gamma Sigma Phi         45                         37
Zeta Rho                  26                         10
GATA Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 47 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 20
Alpha Kai                 39                         35
Sigma Theta Chi           51                          50
Ko Jo Kai                 53                          52
