The number of students pledging social clubs is down slightly from last year’s 421 pledges – 142 men and 279 women, with only 411 total this year – 120 men and 291 women.

Pledging numbers for each club are:

Alpha Kai Omega: 18 (four more than in 2017)

Delta Theta: 28 (one fewer than in 2017)

GATA: 59 (same as in 2017)

Ko Jo Kai: 65 (two more than in 2017)

Sigma Theta Chi: 64 (four fewer than in 2017)

Tri Kappa Gamma: 56 (16 more than in 2017)

Zeta Rho: 1 (four fewer  than in 2017)

Frater Sodalis: 34 (one fewer than in 2017)

Galaxy: 32 (four fewer than in 2017)

Gamma Sigma Phi: 44 (five more than in 2017)

Nu Kappa Psi: 4 (four more than in 2017)

Pi Kappa: 7 (seven more than in 2017)

Sub T-16: 22 (one fewer than in 2017)

Trojans: 11 (seven more than in 2017)

Social clubs started their pledging processes last weekend with bid night on Friday and a tailgate on Saturday, and the process will end at various times throughout next week.

Ko Jo Kai took the most pledges of the women’s clubs at 65 of 291 (22 percent), two more than last year.

Sarah Brooks, president of Ko Jo Kai, said the number of pledges fluctuates every year depending on the number of girls participating in the rushing process. Despite being one of the largest clubs on campus, Brooks said community isn’t about numbers.

“Building community is not  based numbers but rather on how well we choose to love and support one another despite how different we all are,” said Brooks, senior kinesiology major from Lubbock. “I think no matter the pledge class size, one of the main goals of pledging is to participate in activities and traditions that create unity with your sisters. It is so cool that we can create bonds and memories with girls we probably would have never met if it wasn’t for pledging.”

Of the men’s clubs, Gamma Sigma Phi, who is celebrating its 50th anniversary, took the most pledges at 44 of 120 (36 percent), five more than last year.

Pledges will participate in the Homecoming Parade and hold letters during the football game on Saturday, and pledging ends next week before fall break.