Details About ‘Recruitment’

The term 'recruitment' (or ‘rush’) is used to describe the fraternity recruitment process. An individual who is participating in recruitment is considered a potential new member.

The recruitment process for IFC fraternities at UC Irvine is informal, meaning chapters host and market their own recruitment events and potential new members are not required to visit every chapter as it may be at other campuses. Some examples of recruitment events that chapters host include BBQs, poker nights, video game tournaments and sports games. Parties are prohibited during the Formal IFC recruitment period, as they are not the best environment to get to know one another on an individual basis.

During the academic year chapters recruit two to three times a year. The first recruitment period for all fraternities, Fall Rush, occurs during Welcome Week (Week 0) and Week 1. Many fraternities also have a winter and/or spring rush and usually lasts for one week. These occur at the beginning of the academic quarters, just as it is in the fall. Fraternities booth along ring road during this recruitment period and pass out flyers to those who may be interested. Sign up on the interest form here

A bid is an invitation to become a pledge of a fraternity. Once a potential new member accepts a bid they become a "pledge" or "new member" for that fraternity. A pledge becomes an "active member" or "brother" of a fraternity once they have completed their pledge program and are initiated.