IFC Rush: What Should I know? What Should I ask?

[TSteven]

With Summer IFC Rush underway, and Fall coming, here is some advice for PNMs.

Taken from The University of Kentucky Fall 2005 IFC Fraternity Recruitment Guide.

Use these questions to learn what each chapter has to offer as well as what the chapter will expect of you as a new member:

General

Of what are you most proud in regard to your fraternity?

What makes your fraternity unique?

Academics

What is the fraternity’s scholastic ranking on campus?

What was the new member class GPA for last fall?

What academic resources does the chapter provide?

When and how long are quiet hours in the chapter house?

Who are the members with similar academic interests?

New Member Program

What is involved in becoming a new member?

What do you require of your new members?

How long does the new member period last?

What is the fraternity’s stance on hazing?

Finance

What is the cost of membership per semester?

What additional expenses aren’t covered in the per-semester bill?

What and how much are the one-time expenses for new members (e.g. pledge fees, initiation fees, etc.)?

What type of payment programs are available to members?

Housing

How many members live/can live in the chapter house?

How many juniors and seniors live in the chapter house?

How is the chapter house usually maintained?

Activities

How involved are your members in campus activities?

In how many community service projects did your chapter participate last year? What were they?

What type of social activities does your chapter offer?

What awards did your chapter receive last year?

In what intramural competitions does the chapter participate?

Alumni

How often do alumni visit the fraternity and participate in the chapter life?

How many alumni live in the area?

Do the alumni provide scholarship, internship, or job opportunities?

Recruitment Advice

Relax! Fraternity recruitment is very informal. This may not apply for all recruitments.

Bring a friend. Remember that friend from high school who is also at [your school]? What about your roommate or the guy down the hall? Invite a friend to participate in fraternity recruitment with you.

Visit as many fraternities as possible before making any decisions. Although you may recognize a fraternity’s name or know a fraternity member, visit a number of groups so that you can make an educated choice as to which fraternity is best for you. Each fraternity is unique.

Ask questions. To best understand what an individual fraternity is all about, you should ask questions and compare answers. Use the list in this brochure for ideas on questions you should ask.

Try to meet as many members as possible while you are visiting a fraternity. Where are last year’s new members? Seniors? Chapter officers? This will give you a better idea about the members of the chapter.

Remember that fraternity recruitment is a mutual selection process by both you and the fraternity. Look at all of your options and find the fraternity where you are most comfortable.

Don’t be pressured into a decision. If you need more time to make a decision, take it. Beware of the fraternity that is unwilling to give you ample time to make a decision.

Be confident in yourself. Be yourself.

Enjoy yourself and have fun!