Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Rush?
A: A student interested in Greek Life is encouraged to find out about all of the houses at USF. This process of exploration is called “rush”. Rush is a summer long process that ends with a formal rush week after the first few weeks of the fall semester. Spring rush is of course shorter without having the summer months, but follows the same schedule as fall with a formal rush week after the first few weeks of the semester. Fraternities have a formal rush process through which a student can visit as few or as many chapters as they choose during the third week of classes. At the end of the rush period, Greek organizations make decisions regarding who they would like to give an invitation to join. The invitation to join is known as a Bid. Bids are issued on the fourth Friday of classes. It is ultimately up to the student to decide if they want to accept or decline a bid. The new pledges then go to Greek Village at the end of rush to reveal their choice of fraternities in a tradition known as ‘Bid House’, you don’t want to miss it!
Q: How do I register for Rush?
A: A student may register for rush by clicking on the link, located on the USF IFC website. Just follow the steps to fill in your information and then pay the registration fee to complete your registration. This payment ensures that you will receive a t-shirt, free food and entertainment at any IFC sponsored event.
You must register to take part in Fraternity Rush and to join any fraternity on campus. Your registration is not complete until the payment is received. Register Today!
Q: How do I know which house to choose?
A: Rush events give you the opportunity to discover the personalities of the fourteen fraternity houses at USF. It is up to you to decide which chapter fits your needs best. Keep the following in mind as you visit the different houses:
- Take your time making a decision
- Keep an open mind, and get to know each individual fraternity
- Look for qualities that are most important to you
- Think about how you might profit from being a member of a specific fraternity, as well as how you will contribute to it
- Do not let your friends choices influence your decision
- Make the choice that is best for you
Q: What kind of financial obligations are there?
A: Firstly, there is no exact amount to put on the experience of Greek life. However, there are monetary costs to membership.
Dues vary according to chapters. Most houses charge a pledge fee to cover the cost of your pledge period. Upon your activation into the house, you are charged an initiation fee. Finally, as an active brother, you are charged brotherhood dues. These finances are billed to your either per semester or annually. Please feel free to inquire about Sigma Chi’s financial obligations during rush.
Q: What does Greek life provide that no other college organization can offer?
A: College is one of the biggest transitions in a student’s life. Joining a fraternity will help ease the transition by finding others with similar challenges. Greek life provides a convenient opportunity to create life-long friendships with members all ages, including alumni. Fraternities and sororities promote brotherhood/sisterhood, leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and financial responsibility.
Q: Can only freshman join a fraternity?
A: No. The Greek system in non-discriminatory and will accept members of all ages. As long as the member is an enrolled student at the university, they are eligible to join. Often times transfer students will join after their freshman year. A fraternity is a lifelong commitment and age is not a factor.
Q: How much time will a fraternity take up? What if I have a lot of classroom hours?
A: One of the most difficult challenges freshman face is time management. College is much different from the prescribed schedule students were used to in high school, leaving lots of free time to waste, especially if they are not involved in any extra-curricular activities. Having a structured schedule is conducive to productivity. There is no given amount of time commitment most fraternities will require beyond what is required of every member for service/philanthropy events. Social events too, are never required events.
Q: What about hazing?
A: Hazing is strictly prohibited and dealt with the severest consequences. There is a definition in the University’s Code of Policies, Florida State Law, and Regulations Applying to all students as written in the Bylaws of the Interfraternity Council.
Q: I heard all fraternities do is party and drink, is that true?
A: The Animal House stigma is one that fraternities strive to relinquish everyday. News articles and press releases so frequently will expose one slip of a fraternities drinking irresponsibly. However, all brothers of Sigma Chi participate in service activities to raise thousands of dollars to benefit cancer foundations, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Miracle Network, and several other charities. Social activities occur across campus, not just in Greek life. The Interfraternity Council and Sigma Chi Fraternity have a Risk Management legislature and other policies to regulate social events and to promote a healthy and controlled social atmosphere.