I emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday during the college year from Sept. IS to June 3, except Nor. 16, 26 through-30, Dec. 7 through 9, 11 through Jan. 4, March 3 through 10, 12 through 29, May 3, and 31 through June 2, with issues on Nov. 21, Jan. 23, and May 8, by the Student Publication* Board of the University of Oregon. En tered as second class matter at the post office, Eugene, Oregon. Subscription rates: $5 per school year; $2 per term. • , Opinions expressed on the editorial page are those of the writer and do not pretend to cepresent the opinions of the ASUO or of the University. Unsigned editorials are written by the editor; initialed editorials by the associate editors. AL KARR, Editor BILL BRANDSNESS, Business Manager Early Rushing —and Misgivings Formal men’s rushing is underway, the first fall term men s rush week since 1950-51, when these seniors were freshmen. That was the first year of deferred living, and was to be the iirst of winter term men’s rushing. But IFC’s pre-rusliing “hands off” policy that year prompted complaints by Football Coach Jim Aiken that freshman athletes were leaving the University lecause they felt that the fraternity men were unfriendly. So rushing was held in November. The last two years, how ' ever, it has been held winter term, the theory being that fresh man men should have at least a term to establish themselves academically before concerning themselves with fraternity ties and activity. But this proved somewhat unrealistic, because it was too much to expect of fraternities to completely ignore freshmen aintil winter term, especially with the rugged rushing competi tion brought about by decreased enrollment. Some houses did adhere pretty much to the “hands-off” policy, but the disadvan tage caused these houses made it a pretty hard thing to continue. This year, then, there is no “hands-off” policy. With “dirty rushing” impossible, pre-rush week rushing has been in the open and heavy. The fraternities, in general, are pretty pleased to have fall term rushing. They can climax summer rushing with three weeks of fall rushing, culminating in the pledge. Previously summer rush ing was followed by a cold “hands-off” period, and the men’s -liouses felt frustrated. A feeling grew up that Oregon, at least its fraternities, was snobbish. Many fraternity men, however, would rather have a winter term rush period (and fall term “hands-off), or else rush dur ing orientation week. They complain about the strain of ex cessive competitive rushing for three weeks, with the mental, physical, and financial demands made upon house members. - There may be another fly in the fraternity ointment. This year some 380 men signed up for rushing, compared with around 170 last winter term. This could mean a heavier pledge group, or at least more of a choice. But with the freshman class untried scholastically, there is no guarantee that any more, or any “bet ter” (academically) men will be back with the fraternities next fall. Human nature being what it is, fall term rushing is more real istic. But fall term men’s rushing, unless the fraternities should jprove to be especially concerned about the academic records of itheir pledges, will contribute less to the scholastic endeavors of f he University than winter term rushing. 1 Said endeavors, of course, not being the complete aspect of