While the recent investigation into Greek life has created a stir on campus, undergraduate applications continue to rise as prospective students and their parents remain unfazed, or simply unaware, of the problems.
"It's been my experience that campus events don't have a big impact on applications," said Assistant Director of Admissions David Brunk. "If you are [an applicant] from Kentucky, unless you investigate, you don't find out about it."
Because Greek systems are known for having problems on many campuses, Tufts doesn't stand out.
Bobbi Nichols, the mother of a prospective student said, "Unfortunately, I think [hazing] would be a common thing on any campus. It wouldn't affect my daughter's decision to go here."
The recent events are viewed as problems within the Greek system, and not with Tufts as a whole.
"For something to impact the school in terms of admissions it would have to be something the school did," said Brunk. He cited university-wide food poisoning as an example.
The timing of the events also means that it is unlikely there will be any effects in terms of number of applicants. Applications for next year were already sent in before spring rush started, and the prospective students visiting now will have almost a year to forget there was even an issue.
Though, in most cases, prospective students remain completely unaware of campus news.
Erin Connolly, a tour guide and member of Chi Omega sorority said, "Most prospective students come in pretty blind. I haven't heard anyone know anything about what's going on at Tufts right now."
On tours, prospective students and parents ask about Greek life in general, but have not specifically questioned recent events. "I think everyone is in the dark," Connolly said, but "I don't think it's necessary to tell because these are isolated incidents and they shouldn't overshadow the great things that frats and sororities participate in."
Of course, anything a prospective student learns about Tufts is going to color his perception accordingly. "While [these events] wouldn't affect my decision to apply or not, it would definitely affect my decision to pledge," said Jodie Slezak, a prospective student from New Jersey.
The percentage of students involved with the Greek system at Tufts has decreased in recent years to 11 percent. But Recruitment Chairman of Chi Omega Sarah Hoffman said that all the Greek houses are working with the administration to produce a booklet to come out next fall that more specifically outlines exactly what the Greek houses do. "We've had some problems, but we are working on recruitment," Hoffman said.
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