Join A Fraternity
Recruitment
IFC Fraternity Info Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
We aim to create a clear process to join an IFC Fraternity. If you have any additional questions, contact our VP of Recruitment
1. What is Texas IFC?
The Texas IFC is the governing body for the 21 men's social fraternities across the Forty Acres. We are the largest all-male organization on campus with over 2,400 members from a diverse range of backgrounds.
2. What is recruitment?
Recruitment, or "rush," is the informal process in which fraternities and potential new members (PNMs) meet each other through a series of events planned by chapters. Fraternities may extend a "bid," or a formal invitation to join a fraternity, to PNMs at any time during the recruitment process.
3. When is recruitment?
iFC recruitment at UT Austin is open and informal. This means that there are no official start/end times or dates for fraternities to conduct recruitment activities. Since there is no formal recruitment period, when and how a fraternity conducts its recruitment activities are left to the discretion of each individual chapter. Therefore, some chapters may choose to conduct the bulk of their fall recruitment in late spring and throughout the summer, while others focus their efforts on the period leading up to (and even following) the first day of classes.
4. Do I have to join a fraternity in the fall?
Every IFC fraternity takes a fall new member class, so many men will choose to join in the fall. Roughly half of IFC fraternities will opt to take another class in the spring, but this decision is left up to each individual chapter. Spring recruitment generally follows the same process as fall recruitment. The IFC Recruitment Interest Form will remain active throughout the spring recruitment process.
5. How long does it take to be initiated?
The timeline for the new member process differs for each fraternity and is ultimately determined by their inter/national organization. Some chapters initiate their members within one week of joining, while other processes may last up to 12 weeks. The new member period affords opportunities to meet other members, learn fraternity history, and feel at home within the chapter. Each chapter establishes its own new member program and initiation dates. This is a great question to ask the active members as you meet them during recruitment activities.
6. What about hazing and alcohol?
All IFC fraternities, their inter/national organizations, the Interfraternity Council, The University of Texas at Austin, and the State of Texas strictly prohibit any form of hazing. Chapters suspected of violating this policy are immediately referred to the university's Office of Student Conduct, and all individuals are encouraged to report potential hazing behaviors. Additionally, the IFC Constitution prohibits chapters from serving or providing alcohol to persons under the legal drinking age under any circumstances (Article III, Section 1). Chapters must abide by the IFC Risk Management Policy and the provisions set forth by their inter/national organizations, many of which prohibit the use of alcohol at any and all recruitment and new member activities.
For more information on policies and support, please refer to the university's hazing prevention resources linked below.
Fraternity Terminology
The following is a list of terms that are often used within the fraternity community at the University of Texas.
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Active - An initiated member who is a current college student in a fraternity​​
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Alumnus - An initiated member who has graduated or left college (plural: alumni)​​
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Bid - A formal invitation to join a fraternity
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Brother - A term used by fraternity members in reference to one another
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Chapter - The local group of an international fraternity
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Chapter Advisor - An alumnus who maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter
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Community Service - Hands-on activities directly benefitting others
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De-Pledge - The termination of a new member's relationship with a fraternity
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Fraternity - The name that applies to male chapters characterized by strong bonds and brotherhood
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House - The structure in which fraternities reside or socialize together
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House Mom/Dad - A paid adult hired by a chapter to manage the house and supervise its members
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Initiation - A formal ceremony during which a new member begins full membership of a fraternity
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Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The representative body for 21 men's fraternities affiliated with UT Austin
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Latino Pan-Hellenic Council (LPHC) - The governing body for UT's Latinx fraternities & sororities
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Legacy - A potential new member whose parents, grandparents, or siblings are members of the same fraternity
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North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) - The international organization composed of over 70 fraternities
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National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) - The governing body for nine historically Black fraternities & sororities, commonly referred to as the Divine Nine
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New Member - A member of a fraternity who has not yet been initiated (also known as the outdated term, "pledge")
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New Member Period - The time during which new members learn about their fraternity, its members, & its activities
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Philanthropy - Chapter endeavors and activities that involve raising money for charitable organizations
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Potential New Member (PNM) - A man who is going through the recruitment process
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Ritual - A value-based esoteric ceremony that is traditional of a chapter
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Recruitment - The process through which fraternities get new members (also known as the outdated term, "rush")
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Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council (TAPC) - The governing body for UT's Asian-interest fraternities & sororities
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University Panhellenic Council (UPC) - The governing council for 13 sororities at UT Austin