Join A Fraternity
Recruitment
Fall Orientation Information
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 22 men's social fraternities across the 40 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. The IFC does not sponsor any "formal recruitment" events or 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, many chapters may focus the bulk of their recruitment efforts during the summer, while others focus their efforts leading up to and even after 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 a majority of men join fraternities in the fall. Not every fraternity takes a new member class in the spring semester, however, some chapters do. This is left up to each chapter to decide what is right for them. Spring recruitment generally follows the same process as fall recruitment. The Chapter Builder website will still be active during spring recruitment.
5. How long does it take to be initiated?
The timeline for the new member process differs for each chapter and is ultimately determined by their national organization. Some chapters initiate their members within one week of joining while other chapters' new member processes 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 22 IFC fraternities, their national organizations, the Interfraternity Council, the University of Texas, and the State of Texas strictly prohibit any form of hazing. Any chapters suspected of violating this policy are referred to the University's Office of Student Conduct and to the APD. In addition to this, according to the IFC Constitution, alcohol is not to be served to minors under any circumstances (IFC Risk Management Policy, Section 1K). No alcohol should be served to anyone under the age of 21 during any recruitment function, whether it is one-on-one or in a large group. Most IFC organizations have national policies that bar 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 of all men's fraternities
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Latino Pan-Hellenic Council (LPHC) - The national organization for historically Latino 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 national organization for historically African-American fraternities & sororities
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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 - Endeavors 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. Rituals are kept secret.
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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 national organization for historically Asian fraternities & sororities
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University Panhellenic Council (UPC) - The representative body of all women's sororities