"Rush" is simply Greek-speak for "recruitment." While rush is conducted in various ways at different universities, it usually refers to a time period in which Greek organizations seek out new members and interested students try to find out what fraternity or sorority is right for them. It is usually accompanied by fun social events, to help break the ice and allow both the Greeks and the interested students to get to know each other better.
At IIT, rush is primarily conducted during the first week of orientation/classes for the fall semester. You will have an opportunity to meet many students from different organizations and visit all the chapters during this time. All rush events are alcohol-free, as mandated by Greek Council (the self-governing body of IIT Greeks). If you're hesitant about joining first semester, many Greeks also rush during the spring semester for returning students.
Rush is a ton of fun, so come out even if you're not really sure you want to join a fraternity. It's a great time to meet people and find out about the different organizations here at IIT.
It's a low-pressure atmosphere. The focus is on meeting people and having fun, so relax. While the different chapters all have their own qualifications for awarding bids, the best way to earn a bid is to meet as many people as you can at that chapter.
While it's easy to get caught up in all the fun, remember that joining a Greek organization is a decision that will affect the rest of your college career and quite likely the rest of your life. You'll have to ask the right questions and make careful judgments.
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Things you will hear during Rush:
- Bid - A bid is a formal offer to join a Greek organization. At IIT, bids are given out on August 26 for both fraternities and sororities. You may receive bids from several organizations, so don't feel pressured to accept or decline your bid immediately. Many groups let you wait for at least a week before making a final decision.
- Brother/Sister - Brothers and sisters are what Greeks call the fellow members of their organizations.
- Chapter/National/Local - Each fraternity or sorority on campus constitutes a "chapter." Most of IIT's chapters belong to a larger "national" organization, meaning that there are chapters of the same fraternity or sorority at other campuses and they are all bound together into one large group. "Local" organizations do not have chapters at other colleges or a national organization.
- Chapter - Most fraternities or sororities on campus are actually a chapter of a larger National organization.
- House - Since most of the fraternities and two of the sororities at IIT have houses where most of their members live, the term "house" is often used instead of "chapter" though not every chapter has a house.
- The Quad - The Quad is simply the big "grassy" area around which all the Greek houses at IIT are located. It is on the southeast corner of campus, bordered by 33rd, 34th, Wabash, and Michigan.
- Pledge - A pledge is a formal acceptance of a bid and a pledge to dedicate yourself to a particular fraternity or sorority. After taking a pledge, you become a pledged member or new member of the chapter.
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Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
- What if I want to wait a semester or two before joining a Greek Organizations?
Most Greeks welcome students to rush during the spring semester or at the beginning of sophomore year. Even if you're not sure now, it's a great idea to participate in rush first semester in order to learn more and meet more people. That way you can make an educated decision second semester.
- Are there rules regarding what Greek organizations may do duing Rush?
The IIT Greek council sets out the Rush rules, which govern what Chapters may and may not do during Rush events.
- So, will I be hazed?
No. The State of Illinois and IIT both have regulations which forbid hazing, as do IIT's Greek Council and virtually every Greek organization. While hazing constitutes the bulk of fraternity jokes and media exposure, it is not the norm, and most in the Greek community simply do not tolerate it. If you feel you are being hazed, you are probably joining the wrong organization.
- How are fraternities and sororities run? Each group has its own organizational structure that they rely on for day-to-day operations. These officers are often assisted by a host of volunteers, ranging from alumni to national board members. These volunteers offer leadership guidance and resources to the undergraduate chapter. In addition, universities usually have a full-time staff member who works directly with Greek organizations. At IIT, Erin Gray is the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and serves as the main contact for fraternities and sororities. she can be reached at gray@iit.edu or 312.567.5133.
- How much does it cost to join a fraternity and live in the house?
Surprisingly, the combined cost of room, board, and dues at most fraternities here at IIT is hundreds of dollars less than room and board in the dorms. Most fraternity brothers here at IIT live in their respective chapter houses. However, most chapters allow brothers who do not live in the house to remain active by paying a social fee each semester. This varies greatly from chapter to chapter.
- Does being in a fraternity/sorority take a lot of time? Your level of involevement in a fraternity or sorority is up to you. Numerous student engagement studies have shown that students who are involved in campus activities outside the classroom are more satisfied with their college experience. Also, students wo take part in an organization are more likely to stay in college and to graduate on time than those who do not get involved. Through interaction with the Greek community, you will learn valuable time management, academic and leadership skills.
- How do I move out of the dorms and into a house?
This procedure will vary depending on whether you live in McCormick Student Village or State Street Village.
- Will my room and board scholarship apply at any of the Greek houses?
Camras, ROTC, and other IIT scholarships which apply to room and board at McCormick Student Village also apply at fraternity and sorority houses. However, school policy is to only award $2250 per semester to students who choose to live on the Quad. Since that may or may not cover all of your charges, you may be responsible for a small amount each semester
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Here are some tips for Rush:
- Be Yourself.
First and foremost: be yourself. There's a chapter out there for everyone, so don't try to be something you're not. You'll end up making better friends and a better decision.
- See All that You Can.
Take some time to visit each applicable Greek Organization during O-week and meet as many people as you can. Don't feel pressured to hang out with one group all week. Most will understand that you want to look around in order to make the best decision. Remember, if you receive a bid you don't have to accept it immediately (Did you mail your deposit the same day you got accepted to IIT? I think not!). Also, if you postpone accepting your bid, it gives other chapters a chance to bid you- maybe even some that you didn't think were going to.
- Ask Questions!
Here are some things you might want to consider:
- Ask the President:
- What is their hazing policy? Have they ever been brought up before the Greek Council Judicial Board for hazing violations?
- How much is it to join? What are the one-time fees, and what are the recurring semesterly fees? Do they have payment plans available?
- Do most of the people that accept bids end up being initiated? If no, why not?
- What are some strengths and weaknesses of the chapter? What does it need to work on, and what it is doing to fix those areas?
- Does the chapter have an alumni member that serves as the Chapter Advisor? Would he be willing to talk to your parents if they are uncomfortable with you joining a fraternity?
- Does the chapter keep in close contact with its National/ International Headquarters?
- Is the chapter currently under any sanctions from its International Headquarters for any type of violation of fraternity policy?
- If you decided to wait to join a fraternity in spring, do they have a spring rush program?
- Ask the Pledge Educator:
- What is their hazing policy? Have they ever been brought up before the Greek Council Judicial Board for hazing violations?
- What is the typical new member semester like? What will you be required to do in order to be eligible for initiation?
- How long is the new member program? What do you learn?
- Are the brothers active in the new member program? (I.e., do the brothers learn about the new members as well, or is it just new members learning about the brothers and the chapter?)
- Ask the Scholarship Chair:
- Ask to see the most current grade sheet from the school: see how the chapter ranked compared to all the other Greek GPA's at IIT.
- Are they on social probation for poor grades last semester? If they are, what are they doing to stop it from repeating?
- What kind of grades their new members make last semester, and what they do in regards to study programs?
- Are any scholarships available for new members?
- Ask other Members:
- Do they do philanthropy? What kind, and how often?
- Are you required to move into the house your freshman year?
- Do they have a meal plan? Are you required to be on it?
- Do they participate in Greek Week, Homecoming, intramurals, and other campus-wide Greek events?
- Does their chapter have a substance-free (dry) housing policy?
- What is their policy on underage drinking, and drinking in the house?
- What about drinking at social functions?
- Do all the members talk about how many sororities they hang out with and how many sports they play, or do they want to know about your interests, too? Are they interested in you as a person, or as another number on their active roster?
If you have any further questions you can contact a specific chapter or you can contact the Greek Life Advisor, Erin Gray (gray@iit.edu).
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