The Architecture School has joined the Greek community on campus with a new professional fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi (APX). A group of architecture sophomores decided to bring a chapter of APX, a national fraternity for architecture and the allied arts, to Washington University about a year ago.

The multitude of responses that I have received (both positive and negative) concerning last Monday’s “The not-so-hidden expectations behind fraternity formals” demonstrates that the pressure associated with fraternity formals is an important issue that many are interested and invested in. Of course there is controversy around the article.

In her April 19 column “The not-so-hidden expectations behind fraternity formals,” Alissa Rotblatt called to attention an important issue in the fraternity community. She raised valid concerns about what can be an uncomfortable situation for many women.

As I’m riding in a bus filled with rowdy college kids en route to a fraternity formal, more than excitement and even anticipation, I’m feeling relief that my date isn’t some stranger who was desperate for a last-minute setup.

The campus air will be filled with the dark dirge of bagpipes and a funeral procession this week. Men in kilts carrying a coffin will march through the streets, occasionally stopping to dance. This is the highlight of Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s traditional Paddy Murphy Week. The tradition is meant to commemorate Paddy Murphy, a legendary figure in SAE mythology.

Due to multiple alleged infractions that occurred during the fraternity recruitment process this semester, Zeta Beta Tau fraternity’s recognition on both the University and national level is currently suspended pending further investigation.

Almost a year has passed since the Phi chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu was evicted from its house on Upper Fraternity Row, and the current brothers of the fraternity have put the past behind them and moved in a new direction.

Some fraternities and sororities hold a rush period during the fall. While 240 men and 250 women rushed last year during the formal recruitment period, about 75 chose fall rush this year. For sororities, the fall process is sharply different from the elaborately planned spring recruitment, which is run through the National Panhellenic Council. “Informal is kind of the exact opposite,” said Lucy Morlan, coordinator for chapter development. “They don’t necessarily have to hold events.”