Interfraternity Council (IFC)
FAQs

IFC Recruitment at UT Austin is "open and informal." This means that there are no official start/stop times or dates for fraternities to conduct recruitment activities. The IFC does not sponsor any "Formal Recruitment" events or activities. Because 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 focus the bulk of their recruitment efforts in the summer, while others focus their efforts leading up to and after the first day of classes. No fraternity may conduct new member activities until after the first week of school.

Every IFC fraternity takes a fall new member class, so most men join fraternities in the fall. Not every fraternity takes a new member class in the spring semester, though many chapters do. This is left up to each chapter to decide what is right for them.

A man is eligible to participate in recruitment and join a fraternity if he is enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin as a full-time student. A full-time student is defined as taking twelve credit hours per semester, excluding correspondence courses and courses at other universities. He must not be a new member or initiated member of any North American Interfraternity Conference fraternity.

Registering for IFC recruitment is optional, however it is highly recommended that you do so. Visit www.texasifc.com and register online. Registering is free and makes your contact information available to all IFC fraternities.

Reference and recommendation letters are a component of sorority recruitment. You do not need references or recommendation letters to participate in IFC recruitment.

A bid is a formal invitation to join a fraternity. Bids may be given at any time both verbally and/or in writing, however the IFC does not consider any bids officially accepted until after the first Friday of the fall semester, in case there are any disputes about a potential member amongst two or more fraternities. This means that no new member activities should occur until after the first week of school.

Potential members may receive multiple bids from different fraternities, but may only accept one.

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

It is important for students and parents to be as informed as possible regarding the costs associated with obtaining a college education. Understanding the financial obligations associated with fraternity membership is just as important. During recruitment activities, a potential member should ask fraternity members about the financial obligations and payment options as each fraternity sets its own fees and housing costs as well as the payment schedules.

Required Fees
Chapter fees fund various activities of the organization such as academic programs, service activities, alumni and parent events, national dues and lifetime membership. Specific costs for each IFC organization can be found on the Chapters page.

Additional/Optional Fees
Additional costs throughout the semester may include parking at the chapter house*, optional meal plans, pictures, gifts, social events, T-shirts, etc.
   *parking availability and cost will vary by chapter

Several chapters at The University of Texas at Austin offer payment plans and scholarships for members who need financial assistance. Please note that when you become a new member of a fraternity, you are affiliating with that organization. If at any time you decide to disaffiliate, you may still be held responsible for fees or payments required to fulfill your contract with the organization.

Yes! Orientation allows you to take placement tests, to earn college credit, pre-register for classes and become acquainted with the campus. A session on Sorority and Fraternity life will be presented as a program during Orientation. Please come to meet representatives of the Sorority and Fraternity community and to ask any questions you may have.

Recruitment is intended to provide opportunities to spend time getting to know each other. 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 minors 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.

Each person looks for different attributes in a fraternity. Each of the chapters focuses on one or more of the following: academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service, leadership, and/or friendship. The choice is yours, so look carefully at all of the chapters and evaluate which one best meets your needs and interests.

There is a required meeting once a week where you will exchange information on chapter events and fraternity education. Weekly chapter study sessions are a programming option for all members, in addition to events like brotherhood activities, community service projects, and social events. Remember, the more you put into the fraternity experience, the more you will get out of it.

Most chapters have moved to a period that ranges from six to twelve weeks. The new-member period affords opportunities to meet other members, learn fraternity history and feel at home in 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.

Many chapters continue to recruit and affiliate new men throughout the entire school year. Events are organized and scheduled at each chapter's discretion. But be aware that not all fraternities host recruitment activities in the spring semester.