Rush is a series of formal events that gives prospective fraternity men the opportunity to meet, socialize, and learn about individual fraternities. Rush activities emphasize various aspects of brotherhood and are an incredible educational experience. A prospective fraternity man’s decision to rush by no means binds him to pledge any fraternity. Every phase of rush is a voluntary endeavor. Most importantly, rush is a chance for a young man to meet a large number of his peers and to gain life-long friends.

Rush Forums

Rush Forums are held during the fall semester to give prospective fraternity men the opportunity to learn more about joining an IFC fraternity. During these events, the Chairman for Membership Intake facilitates a presentation covering the IFC, the IFC fraternities, and the rush process. Members of the IFC are also present to answer questions posed by attendees. These events are held in venues close to living areas on Grounds, and though not mandatory, are very helpful in providing information to men interested in the upcoming rush period.

Informal Open House

Each fall, the IFC fraternities host an Open House for prospective fraternity men considering rushing in the future. This event is not part of any full rush period, but is instead intended to allow men the opportunity to explore the 28 chapters and to meet the upperclassmen who comprise them. A rushee may visit as many or as few chapters as he wishes in order to learn more about the distinctive brotherhoods. This event is purely informational and neither binds nor precludes one from rushing at a later time.

Open House

Open House occurs on specified days during the evening hours of 7:00-10:00 PM. During this time, every IFC fraternity welcomes all rushees. There are 28 fraternities, each unique in its own regard. In order to value what every fraternity offers, rushees are encouraged to visit as many houses as possible during Open House. Rushees should direct any questions about rush to the fraternity men, but IFC Governing Board members will also be at each house during Open House to answer remaining questions.

Invites

Following Open House, rushees are offered invitations for events organized by the individual fraternities. These events make up the most enjoyable parts of rush, and are based around a mutual selection process between the rushees and the fraternities. Just as rushees are choosing the fraternities that best suit them, fraternities are choosing the members that are best suited for their brotherhood.

Generally, during the first and second invite rounds, events are organized for larger attendance, while the third invite round events target a smaller group, allowing the rushees to personally spend more time with the individual fraternity members. With the passing of each successive round, rushees should try to return to those fraternities where they most enjoy the company of the surrounding brotherhood. Typically, rushees attend second invites at fewer fraternities than first invites. Likewise, rushees then attend third invites at fewer fraternities than second invites. The invite rounds allow rushees to gradually meet more brothers while also meeting their fellow underclassmen, ultimately leading them to the IFC fraternity that is the best fit.

Final Hours

Final Hours occurs on the specified night from 7:00-10:00 PM. It resembles Open House in appearance, but at this point, the rushee will now know not only most of the brothers of the fraternities he likes, but also many of his fellow rushees. A rushee should attend the Final Hours events of his remaining fraternities in reverse order of preference— from that particular rushee’s lowest choice fraternities in the first hour (7:00-8:00 PM), to the fraternities he is more interested in joining in the second hour (8:00-9:00 PM), and to the fraternities he is most interested in joining in the final hour (9:00-10:00 PM). This is the last opportunity for rushees to ask questions relative to that particular fraternity and also to meet any remaining brothers before Bid Day. At 10:00 PM, the rushees must leave the fraternity houses. The individual fraternities then deliberate and choose the rushees to whom they will extend bids.

Bid Day

Bid Day allows fraternities to deliver bids—a formal invitation to become a member in that fraternity—to the rushee’s dorm or residence. After receiving a bid, a rushee is allowed to return to his residence and decide if he wishes to join that fraternity. Accepting a bid is a major decision, leading to great friendships and unforgettable memories. If a rushee accepts a bid, he typically returns to the fraternity that evening for a social event hosted for the new members.