Frequently Asked IFC Recruitment Questions

What is fraternity recruitment?
What is the Interfraternity Council (IFC)?
Do I have to register for recruitment with the IFC?
When do the official IFC recruiting activities start?
Do I have to participate in summer recruiting activities?
How do I decide what chapter to join?
Why is there such a large difference in cost from chapter to chapter?
Do I have to join a fraternity in the fall semester?
Before I join, what do I need to know?
How can I increase my chances of getting an invitation to join?

What is fraternity recruitment?
Recruitment is a mutual selection process by which members of a fraternity chapter decide which men they would most like to join their fraternity. At the same time, the prospective member is deciding which fraternity most interests him.

What is the Interfraternity Council (IFC)?
The IFC is the self-governing body of all member fraternities at The University of Texas. Its office is located in the Student Services Building (SSB) in the Greek Life & Education area within the Office of the Dean of Students. Each chapter is represented equally in this forum.

Do I have to register for recruitment with the IFC?
YES, if you want to participate in the recruitment process, the earlier you register with the Interfraternity Council the better. In order to expedite the process, we recommend you register online.

In order to expedite the process, we recommend you register online. You may also mail in the registration form found in the back of the Greek Life Recruitment Book that will be mailed to all students that attend summer orientation. If you do not attend orientation during the summer, call our office at 512-471-9700 to request a recruitment book. The deadline for registration is TBA.

When do official IFC recruiting activities start?
"Opening session" for recruitment starts TBA at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Attendance is mandatory.

Do I have to participate in summer recruiting activities?
Although you are not required to participate in summer activities, it may provide an opportunity to get to know the chapter individuals better. There will also be opportunities during summer orientation sessions to meet representatives of chapters. Please come to the Greek Information sessions or the BBQ during orientation. You may even consider staying a day after orientation in order to participate in some local chapter sponsored activities.

How do I decide what chapter to join?
Each person looks for different attributes in a fraternity. Each of our chapters focuses on one or more of the following: athletics, academics, campus involvement, leadership, and/or friendship. The choice is up to you, so look carefully at all of the chapters and evaluate which one best meets your needs and interests. The first week of school will be a designated IFC recruitment period. This period will provide an opportunity to interact with many chapters.

Why is there such a large difference in cost from chapter to chapter?
The costs of fraternity fees vary from chapter to chapter. Chapter fees are used to help maintain the chapter house, pay yearly insurance costs, pay for national fees and services, assist with philanthropy/community service projects, assist with social and recruitment functions, go toward academic scholarships, and pay for alumni functions and newsletters. In addition, some fraternities fees include meal plans. Others offer very affordable housing and parking near campus.

Do I have to join a fraternity in the fall semester?
Although most men join fraternities in the fall, there is a spring recruitment period where many members join chapters. While not all fraternities participate in spring recruitment, numerous chapters do and there will be recruitment events sponsored by the IFC.

Before I join, what do I need to know?
Along with joining a fraternity comes certain responsibilities. Make sure you know all the financial obligations that are required. Furthermore, you should understand all aspects of membership that are required for initiation into the fraternity. If the fraternity does not offer this information, ask.

How can I increase my chances of getting an invitation to join?

• Register with the IFC as soon as possible to let the fraternities.
• know you are interested.
• Look at as many chapters as you can, and select the ones on which you would like to concentrate.
• Be positive. Do not criticize other chapters or potential new members.
• Get to know other students. Don't necessarily count on joining the same fraternity as your friends, although many students feel more comfortable if they recruit with friends.
• Be yourself.