Though leaders of ASU fraternities and sororities were unsure how Greek life would fare during a recession, the campus societies successfully finished fall recruitment Tuesday.

University sororities found that numbers were up while fraternity numbers were down, officials said, after many questioned whether fewer students would “rush” sororities and fraternities this semester because of the costs involved with Greek life.

ASU Panhellenic Conference president Jamie Bering said while the sororities expected lower numbers because of a downturned economy, they were excited to find that more students rushed than last fall semester.

“We weren’t sure with the current economic situation because we understand students and families have to prioritize how they spend their money,” said Bering, a biological sciences senior. “We weren’t sure where priorities were going to fall.”

At the time of publication, Bering did not have the exact number of students who rushed sororities in fall 2008 and fall 2009, but she said there was a significant increase.

Interfraternity Council president and business communication senior Brice Kohara said ASU’s fraternities didn’t really discuss the expected effects of the recession, except to modify the application fee for the rush process.

Last year, men who rushed had to pay a $60 application fee before rush began and an $80 fee for late registration. This year they were required to pay $50 before rush and $60 after.

Despite lowering the cost of the registration fee, Kohara said fraternity numbers were down overall. He said last year they had about 600 people participate and this year they had only 500, a 17 percent decrease.

“We did have bigger numbers last year, but I wouldn’t call 500 people a cut back,” he said.

Kohara said he doesn’t think the lower numbers were because of the poor economy.

“I think it’s because a lot of people just aren’t rushing this semester,” Kohara said.

However, not all fraternities saw a decline in people wanting to rush.

Vice Archon internal president at Pi Kappa Phi Matt Stanton said he didn’t see a decrease with his individual fraternity.

“We had about 70 guys at our events this past weekend and that number doesn’t seem very different from how many we had last year,” said Stanton, a business management junior.

Whether or not the economy has affected fraternities and sororities, both groups said participating is an expensive activity.

Sorority costs per semester range between $400 and $900. Fraternities range from $400 to $1,200.

For students who cannot afford the dues on their own, fraternities and sororities have scholarships available, Bering and Kohara said.

Bering said she feels that the costs of being involved with Greek life are outweighed by the benefits.

“There are so many opportunities and benefits to being Greek that the average student isn’t going to get,” Bering said. “I think it’s worth it, even just for your own personal growth.”

Reach the reporter at sheydt@asu.edu.