Fall Rush at Texas
 

Hello,

I'm currently a high school senior and I'm going to UT next year. I'm looking to join a fraternity but I don't know too much about the system. I'm not from old money or have any high connections, but I go to a good college-prep high school and know quite a few guys in fraternities at UT.

Does anyone know any specifics about rush at UT or can give me some advice on how to go about the process?

Thanks a lot.

bump up above the accidental second post

Don't worry about money or high connections- there are lots of fraternities here at UT and most all of them are very approachable.

There is really not much of a formal rush process at Texas. When I was there, we had a 4 day period where the houses were supposed to have representatives on hand from 2-6 in the afternoon to meet anyone who came by looking for more info. That was all they had.

And unless I am mistaken, even that is not done today. So the burden is pretty much completely on you to take initial steps if you want to get a good look at a large number of houses.

Roundup is coming soon and that is the first point when a lot of potential fall rushees will be coming up to check things out. From there, summer rush goes on from the end of the spring semester right up until the fall- though the real concentration of events begins in late June.

You have picked the right time to start doing your homework, and I would suggest you contact friends of yours in fraternities at UT- or better still women you know who are in sororities and who know you well enough to give you their honest advice about where to focus your efforts. A good friend in a sorority is your best resource for starting the rush process.

Some houses will send you invitations to events- either because someone knows you or because they got a list of high school seniors and invite everybody since that school has been a good recruiting ground in the past. Don't assume that a group that sends you an unexpected invitation is a low-tier organization pushing for new members. It could just as easily be a top-tier group that has already heard good things about you.

Roundup and July 4th are two pretty significant rush periods- generally speaking. Your best bet is to talk to friends now and try to get their advice on where to focus those initial efforts since you will be best off heading into Roundup planning to rush at just a couple of places.

The majority of bids extended at most houses are given out over the summer or right at the start of the year- long before "formal rush" begins. So it is important to get moving now so that you will be all set for this summer. It varies by house, but generally speaking a serious fraternity that makes a careful selection of good potential candidates will want to see you at 3 events before a bid is extended. So you will have some serious rushing to do. Even if you come into rush with several people knowing you, a good house will not give you a bid the first time you come to a rush event.

Be careful about any situation where you get a bid the first time you meet with a fraternity. Most groups, large and small, take their time before making a decision. And it is my observation that the few groups who do give bids to everyone they can right away will tend to have very high dropout rates in pledgeship among other issues. Texas is a very expensive place to exist, which is why some groups just go for the numbers and the money- but the result is not usually what most would call a great chapter. And I will also note those chapters are where a disproportionate number of risk management tragedies take place. I will not name names, but you will figure it out as you start getting around and meeting people.

Two final pieces of advice,

1. Don't get drunk, tear up hotel rooms or do other illegal things. A lot of rushees seem to think they are expected to cut loose, but it is not true. A HUGE part of rush is making sure that potential rushees have a certain degree of discretion and social maturity.

2. When speaking with sorority women you are friends with, you can have honest conversations comparing fraternities and how their particular character may or may not make them a good home for you. But when talking to the guys where you rush, it is best to not even mention the other houses. Focus on learning about that house when you are there- and do your comparing in the company of a neutral party.

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't know that Roundup was an important event for rush. I am definitely going but I don't know all what goes on.

Anyone else have any advice?

You rush during the summer. Your best bet is to go to roundup in the spring, and go by a few of the houses, meet the rush capitans etc. Each fraternity has a rush 'list', so basicly all you need to do is meet them so you get put on the list. If you have friends in the chapter they can go ahead and put you on the list.

During the summer the rush capitans will call (if they like you) to invite you to various events, both in Austin and in Dallas, Houston, etc. If they don't like you or you do something stupid and make an ass of yourself then they'll likely take you off the list, in which case, don't bother.

As for drinking, enjoy yourself, just don't be an idoit. If you throw up on some girl you're going to get kicked out, but at the same time nobody wants a pledge who just stands in the corner with one beer the whole night. Know your tolerance and build it up. Rush is the fun part, enjoy it.

Your saying that reminded me of the time I saw this happen when I was a junior. He got most of it on her shoes and legs- so at least her dress was spared, but she wasn't really focused on that one bright side of the situation at the time.

It was definitely a funny story when we were going over our lists the next evening, but he was also the first one we cut.

FIJI, SAE, Sig Ep, and KA are the top houses there from what I hear.

That's also what I've been hearing. But as far as I know KA isn't affiliated with the IFC on campus (I believe they were kicked off for hazing, but I'm unsure) which means my parents won't pay for it.

I actually know more guys in Sig Ep than any other fraternity, and a lot of guys from my HS end up there, so that may be a very good possibility.

I can't find much info on FIJI or SAE because they have no websites currently.

BTW what do people mean when they say a house is "good" or "the top house?" Is it a matter of prestige, or who has the best parties, or the most noticable guys on campus?

Thanks everyone for the help though!

"Good" "Top House" et al are all in the eye of the beholder.
All POV and HO.
Good and Top only matter from your POV.

I know people like to say that on here because it's PC, but that couldn't be further from the truth at my (and many other) campus. If you go to a small school, then there may or may not be any "top houses", but the truth is that at most schools, especially those in the South (ie. Texas) there is a VERY well defined pecking order of GLOs. If you don't understand what I'm saying then you're right, your campus probably doesn't have a "top house".

Great post, that pretty much covers it. Up north each house seems to offer different things, which is true in the south but not to the same degree.
If KA got kicked off then stay away from them but the houses I listed are the ones that have the respect among other fraternities at UT, that usually means that they are the best in all aspects listed. Obviously don't pledge somewhere that you don't fall in love with but I'm just trying to make you aware of the opinion amongst other southern fraternity men. The fact that you already seem to be acquainted with greek life at texas, at least to some degree, is a very good thing.

Social tiers at UT get tricky.

Sig Ep is a top house in that they have a huge chapter and an incredible property- plus they get good mixers. But back in my day that was the "new money Dallas" crowd- and on that score they were not as elite as the other chapters you mentioned. I would not ever call Sig Ep a top tier chapter at UT, but it is certainly a great place to be by many measures.

Also, there are a couple of mid-tier chapters which are proud of it and attract their share of the Texas "old guard" as it were who chose that route and did not really care about the scene at the top tier houses.

Every top tier house has a few guys who are total losers and never get anywhere socially. And every mid-tier house has some guys who are active in the high end social scene. So making a choice purely based on the social status of a house is a bad idea- although it is a good idea to be aware of what general tier you are buying into.

Money comes into play too. Top tier houses have dues of $5,000 a year and up. That is in addition to any special assessments for formals or OU weekend which can get expensive fast. All fraternities at UT are expensive- but the top groups are 2-3 times as expensive as the rest.

Within each tier any guy suited for fraternity life can find a good home, but to parse it down to who is the best is ignoring the most important criterion of finding the right place for you. And that place does not necessarily need to be where everyone from your high school goes. Branching out a bit in college is not a bad idea.

I mention this because it gets back to a comment I made in my earlier post about the big chapters at Texas that pledge everybody and then lose a lot of the pledge class during the pledge term because they were just after numbers and money. This past semester one of those chapters lost HALF their pledge class- and many of those guys are spring pledges elsewhere.

Some of them have upgraded to a better house in the process because they came into rush not really knowing how to navigate the process. Being good candidates they eventually found the right place- but they lost the chance to be a fall pledge during football season when the pledge classes are large and the experience is its best, and they had to go through dealing with a lousy first experience with fraternities.

PM me if you like and I will have a more detailed discussion with you about various chapters and their reputation on campus. This forum is just not the place to post all that info as a matter of courtesy- and also in deference to the fact everyone has their own opinion.

As for KA- they are doing well and still a top place to be. They were not kicked off campus. They made a conscious choice to exist outside of UT control- an option many chapters have considered in recent years. The University for a long time had nothing to do with the Greek system here and is only recently getting involved again. And in that process, chapters are charged expensive dues to fully fund all staff devoted to Greek Life.

So as I have advised others who have asked me, don't overlook KA just because they are not currently a recognized organization. They did not do anything wrong to achieve that status- it was a choice they made.

Fiji, Sig Ep, SAE and KA are all top houses. Also check out Delt, Kappa Sig, and ATO, they all have some good guys.

'top house' mostly has to do with prestige and how the rest of the campus and greek system views you. Of the 7 I mentioned, all have good parties including a few signature big ones, and they all attract plenty of girls, etc. Some of them do have their stereotypes, which while not always true, will factor in to how people might view you if you join.

Shoot me a PM if you want some info. I go to Texas. SAE.

Hook Em.

Glad you jumped in on your own Brother.
Forgot to PM you on this thread.

My son is a KA at Texas, and as EE BO said, they have made a decision not to re-affiliate with the IFC. From what I learned, they got into some trouble many years ago and were put on suspension with the IFC. The national order of KA believed that the suspension was inappropriate so decided not to pull the charter and to let the chapter remain in existance outside of the IFC. They have been "off" suspension for a few years with the IFC at Texas, but have decided that there is no benefit to being in the IFC. They readdress the issue every now and again, but the national Order and the alumni advisors at UT feel that they are doing fine as a chapter without the affiliation.

That's what I know. As a parent, I was concerned about it as well, but after hearing the facts of the situation, I am fine with it.

Yes that's what I heard as well. KA seems like they have a lot of tradition and would be a great group, but the fact that my (quite liberal) mother is paying for it also likely means that she wouldn't pay for me to join a group she'd consider racist. I personally feel there is a difference between Southern heritage and racism, but my mother considers them to be equal. She'll just use the fact that they aren't IFC as an excuse.

I really am looking forward to rush and meeting some great guys and houses though. I think Greek life would really make my college experience something great.

Well, being a mom, I can understand that we all have reasons for what we believe and what we'll fund ;) It is expensive to be in a fraternity at UT, so be sure to join one your folks will pay for!!! KA is a great group with a lot of traditions and it has been a great place for my son. But, there are a bunch of other houses that are great at Texas and I'm sure you'll find one that fits. Good luck to you!!

There are many good posts on this thread and some, well, use your best judgment.

UT is like many Big Schools.

There as some call tiers which is BS to an extent as they go up and they go down.

Costs of being a member of a GLO is about the same as it was a few years ago, but the cost of education is going up at an alarming rate and the expendible monies can go only so far.

I was told by a friend who went to Tx Un. that it is different than any other. But I think you can say this to many Old Line Southern Uns.

As to looking at any GLO to join, the most important thing is do you fit with each other. There are not any bad GLOs, just bad chapters.

LXA is considered even in my mind as still the new kid on the block being founded in 1909 compared to otheres founded in the late 1899's.

Traditions such as KA has a long history and whether they are a member of IFC is not a problem if they are accepted by their National and the student body.

Suggestion, check out not only the web sites, but where other chapters are and see how they rank.

But you still have to be able to fit in with them and them with you.

So does anyone else have any advice or info that it would be helpful to know?

Does anyone know where I could find a contact list for the fraternities to try to get information about rushing?

Thanks.

Humm...
Did you read and act upon posting #14?
And since you are on the Internet and a High School student it should have taken you less time than it did me (13 seconds) to find this site:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle/

IMHO, those that do their home work first and then ask questions get better answers.;)

Yeah he sent me a pm.........I'll get back to you asap Horn2012.

First of all, you need to register with IFC (I assume IFC). The registration is like 20$ and you need to do it soon in order to take advantage of rush events this summer. The registration also puts you in the database for Formal Rush next fall.

After you do this you don't need to worry about "finding" anyone. The fraternities will find you.

Good luck, Hook 'Em.

p.s. you should be able to find a link to registration that Jon gave you.

Thanks Brother.

Been there before, but many of the fraternities, including a lot of those listed as "top houses" above, don't have websites or rush chairmen listed on their IFC profiles.

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a site with more info or had any contacts that might not be posted on the UT site. The IFC section hasn't even been updated since this fall anyways. I've been checking regularly to see when the registration opens but it hasn't yet. I know UPC's registration doesn't open until May, which is after Roundup and a lot of the events which I've been told are important.

Do you really do any type of home work?????
Found this in under 10 seconds:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle/IFCrecruitment/
While listed at 2007, I would if in your shoes, fill it in>
And START DOING your own research.
Some times if what you are looking for is not there, use what is and follow it.
BTB, found link right here:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle/join.php

Well I took your advice and filled out the form anyways. I'm hoping that I won't have to fill it in again because they clear the system or anything like that.

I have seen that site before, but again, I was hesitant to fill it out because it is for last year.

I have been doing homework, but sometimes info isn't on the web. All that the official website has is info for last fall's rush and each house's address, GPA, and cost. Sometimes they include a website, sometimes a president's email. Very rarely do they include info for rush.

So I'm just trying to see if anyone knows of some website I'm somehow overlooking which might have more useful and pertinent information.

I think I gave you a hint before; let me make it very clear.
There is a link to IFC on one of those pages; call them. Directly.

No one uses the websites for rush. Generally speaking at Texas, the better a chapter's website, the worse the chapter.

For rush, just go to roundup and start talking to people you know from high school. They'll give you the low-down and then introduce you to people once you start going to events.

jon1856, stop being an asshole and lecturing the kid over something you know nothing about.

Hummmmm...
There are at least four ways to contact the people who know what is going on on campus in terms of rush (NONE of us do) on the webs site:
1)Philip Butler
Inter-fraternity Council Advisor
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station A5800
Austin, TX 78712-0175
2)
Have a concern or question?
College students may encounter challenges throughout their years at The University of Texas at Austin. The Office of the Dean of Students can provide support and assistance during times of crisis. We encourage you to contact us for help or assistance with finding the appropriate resource. Support is always available to you and your student. Call 512-471-9700 or 512-471-5017, visit the Student Services Building, 100 West Dean Keeton St., Suite 4.400 or visit Greek Life & Education online at www.texasgreeks.com.
3)
To Register for Interfraternity Council Fraternity Recruitment:
◆ The IFC prefers that you visit our Web site at www.texasgreeks.com and register online .
◆ A $25 registration fee must be received by 5 p.m. on August 24, 2007 to register for recruitment. We request that you register as soon as possible to ensure processing. It is also important to register early to ensure that all chapters have your information before you arrive in Austin.
◆ Send the registration fee with the student’s name in the memo to:

The Interfraternity Council
Attn: Greek Life & Education
1 University Station A5800

Austin, Texas 78712-0175
4)http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle/contact.php
Many links there to follow-up contact information.

Found the above, on the "outdated" web site in less than 2 minutes.

That is why I am saying that OP did not do his homework. For most of his questions, on facts, need to be directed to IFC and/or Dean of Students office rather than people here.

UTLonghorn, I know that you are nervous about the whole rush thing. My son was nervous about it too, and honestly didn't know how it would all come about. But, trust me, it worked out. Like somebody above said, try to hook up with some of the guys you know who are in the greek system and they will steer you in the right direction.

My son happened to know guys in a few fraternities, but he started out only interested in a couple because he knew those guys the best. By round up and the end of his senior year, he had been contacted by a number of the other fraternities and had gotten on their "rush list", so he was invited to a bunch of stuff, getting to know more guys as it went along. The fraternities got his name somehow, either from people they knew who knew him or from the ifc registration thing.

They'll find you:)

Very good answer Mom. If I understand you correctly, your thoughts about rush are similar to mine.

Of course others can give you their POV's and opinions. But the OP's, and any rushee, are the one that truly matter.
For they are the one's who will be:
Living with others.
Calling and seeing them as friends and Brothers.
And learning and living a philosophy of an even larger group.

Rushee should go into rush with their mind, eyes and ears open.
For the bottom line is they are looking for chapter and GLO that fits them, not others.

Come to Roundup
Come to Island
Wait and let the fraternities get a hold of you. They will. Trust me. Nobody is going to "clear the database" and lose your information.

Whatever you do... don't base anything off websites.

My schedule is clear for roundup, so I'm almost certainly going. Is it just sort of walk up and introduce yourself at each house, or do you have to be on an invite list of some sort?

Most of the guys I actually know fairly well are all in the same fraternity, but I don't want to restrict myself to just one house.

Will not really knowing anyone in most fraternities hurt you?

Jon- not to pile on, but formal rush at UT does not exist and contacting chapters through their websites- the few that work- is not effective. I am only pointing this out because it is a somewhat unusual situation and so it is natural that you had the reaction you did since a lot of people don't do their homework before coming here- but the fact is that the UT website and the IFC website make for some good background info but that is about it.

Anyhow- nothing personal. It really is that different here and there is a long story behind it going back to the days when UT had absolutely nothing to do with the Greek system here.

UTLonghorn2012- it is important to have invitations to Roundup, obtained via the kinds of people I suggested in an earlier thread.

As an advisor I do not get into recruitment since that is 100% in the care and judgement of the actives, but PM me if you would like me to get you in touch with our Rush Chairman and he will contact you with more info about our events.

EE-BO;
The ONLY web site that I pointed out was for the SCHOOL. OP seemed to have SCHOOL related questions.
And of course, once he spoke with the school, I have a belief that they would given him direct, up to date information.

Any other belief seems to have a root cause from one other post.

No harm, no foul.

To UTLonghorn2012-Every situation is different at just about every campus and Greek system. And I know that the rush I went thought was different that anyone else even then thus I can not directly answers your rush questions. I will tell you that I am still in touch with several people that I met the very first day of rush.
One of them ended up being my Big Sister and to this day she is my best friend as are our families.

I believe what I posted before maybe the only common item: Keep your eyes, ears and mind open. Do not put on airs; be yourself. Ask questions but at the same time listen as you let others do the talking. Observe. Be comfortable. Think and do not let yourself get over whelmed.

Best of luck and let us know how things go.

Hey, I run our website and it is pretty badass. Joining a fraternity is a huge thing in your college career, but it can end up being so much more if you are active in the entire Greek community. I have friends in almost every fraternity. Your character is what will make you succeed in the Texas Greek system.

For roundup, you need to visit the campus here in the near future and get a writst band, they won't ask you for your student ID, just walk up to the table set up on west mall, usually in front of the Union, and get a wristband, then you'll be safe for any roundup weekend events.

Not knowing anyone in a fraternity will not hurt you in anyway, it gives you chance to get to know the members of the fraternity without having any bias for or against the chapter.

I was under the impression that you needed to be invited to a party at roundup. Will simply walking in and introducing myself as a PNM be considered a bad thing or does that usually work?

No you need to do that. Roundup is a really big rush event. You'll get taken care of. You have to get wristbands though, for sure.