Students interested in joining a fraternity will be able to register this week for the Interfraternity Council Rush Week to be initiated into Southeastern Greek life.
IFC Rush Week will take place Aug. 26-30. The first day of Rush Week will begin in the Student Union Theatre, according to Chris Simoneaux, vice president of IFC recruitment.
Monday, the fraternities will provide information on their chapters and Greek life. Simoneaux encourages students to come with an open mind.
“Of course, as incoming freshmen, they’re going to have stereotypes,” said Simoneaux. “They’re going to have all of these pre-assumptions. I told them at orientation go in with an open mind. It’s a no-commitment thing. They can drop in the middle of the week. If they don’t like it, drop.”
Typical commitment involved with joining a fraternity includes maintaining a GPA requirement and participating in philanthropic efforts. On Monday, students may have their questions regarding fraternity commitment answered.
On Tuesday Aug. 27, house tours will take place. On this day, students will be able to determine which fraternities makes them feel comfortable and at home.
“If you walk into a house and they don’t appreciate you, they don’t respect you, they don’t greet you, they take no interest in you, then I would say go on to the next one,” said Simoneaux. “If you go in, and they welcome you, and they make you feel respected, and you feel like it’s a home where you can grow and succeed as a person… then you need to really think about ‘Maybe I should join this one.'”
On Wednesday and Thursday, students will participate in formal dinners. On Friday, students will find out which fraternities gave them a bid to join.
Simoneaux, a member of a fraternity himself, enthusiastically boasts the benefits of participating in Greek life.
“Speaking personally, I really like the connection, and I really like having other people I can rely on when I’m in trouble or when I’m in need,” said Simoneaux. “I love the community aspect. To speak frankly, I’m the community service chairman of my chapter, and I’ve seen what it can do to people, and I’ve seen what it can do for communities. You can be like ‘My organization did that. Wow. I made a difference.'”
Students may sign up for IFC Rush Week by searching “Greek Life” on the Southeastern home page.