Fall Rush at Texas (next year)

[33girl]

Originally Posted by srmom

My sons started going to events starting with Xmas formals

What? Do you mean they went to a fraternity's formal and took a date? Isn't that kind of intrusive as to what should be a special evening for brothers and dates only? (Not to mention, did they get to do this for FREE??)

Or do you mean they were dates of sorority members who needed them at sorority formals?

This agreeably consorting (i.e. they didn't lie and say they went to another college or something to sneak in to events) w/ HS students in any way is just very odd for me to wrap my brain around. I guess our longstanding Draconian liquor laws have something to do with it.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by 33girl

What? Do you mean they went to a fraternity's formal and took a date? Isn't that kind of intrusive as to what should be a special evening for brothers and dates only? (Not to mention, did they get to do this for FREE??)

Or do you mean they were dates of sorority members who needed them at sorority formals?

This agreeably consorting (i.e. they didn't lie and say they went to another college or something to sneak in to events) w/ HS students in any way is just very odd for me to wrap my brain around. I guess our longstanding Draconian liquor laws have something to do with it.

UT Fraternity Christmas Formals =/= regular school fraternity formals. Indescribable really (at least in the late 90's it was) in terms of scope and build out at the houses. Yes, it is a rush event, yes they bring dates (possible PNM's) and yes, they don't pay. Pretty sure that hasn't changed in the last 20 years, but I'm going to let srmom confirm that. Again, it's a touch-and-go situation for a PNM (both male and female) to attend as a HS Senior. Danger Will Robinson...

[srmom]

My sons didn't bring dates, but pretty much all of their friends went, guys and girls, just in a gang (like they tend to do - run in packs).

Anyway, like Shirley said, the builds are incredible for Xmas formals (they want to show it off), and they are not like a formal where everyone has a date. The way it works is the fraternity guys usually go with their dates in large groups (like by pledge class) to a swanky restaurant downtown, (for some events like parent's weekend or spring formals the parents are invited and go too and of course get hit up for the dinner tabs ) then get to the house around 11:30. The hs kids just meet up at the houses, and will go from one formal to the other.

It is used as a recruiting event, therefore it is free - dues pay for everything, that, along with social dues. If you knew what the recruiting budget is for these houses, you wouldn't be surprised that they foot the bill for recruits.

As for the drinking - all the houses have security (at least my sons' fraternity) does, and they also hire contract bartenders to dispense the alchohol. This is to try to combat the underage drinking, and to limit liability, but how well it works, I don't know. When we've been to events, I've seen the bartenders check Id's but I've seen kids I know are not 21 with a drink in hand. so....

[DarlingTexan]

For starters, A LOT has changed this year for Round Up. In the past, every sorority and fraternity hosted HS kids. This year, many sororities did not because UPC threatened us with pretty severe consequences. Fraternities still found ways to get guys in though, as they are the ones in charge of handing out the wristbands.

IMO, for guys, if you do not go to round up, you are very unlikely to get a bid to most of the top fraternities. Most fraternities do ALL of their rushing during the summer. If you are interested, get in contact with them sooner rather than later. Fiji Island was last weekend and a lot of the HS guys there already had bids.

Pineapple is right in that fraternities spend BIG money on round up, both as a recruitment thing and it is Texas's version of 'homecoming' since we don't have that.