IFC Recruitment
Joining an IFC Fraternity
Men interested in pledging during their second semester should meet as many fraternity members during the fall semester and learn about the various activities sponsored by each chapter. The more people you meet in fraternities, the more options are likely to be available to you at the conclusion of the process.
On August 30th from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, there will be an information fair for all IFC fraternities on the Commons Lawn. This is a great opportunity to meet men from the chapters and register for recruitment.
On Sunday, September 6th from noon – 3:00 pm, all IFC fraternities will be having open houses on Greek Row for to potential members to visit the chapter houses and learn more about the organizations.
Throughout the fall semester, potential members will be invited to attend activities and events with fraternity men. It is encouraged to explore a variety of opportunities with as many fraternities as possible. This open contact period will be followed by a formal recruitment process January 12 – 17, 2010. This is a process of mutual selection for potential members and fraternity chapters. Potential members will visit most, if not all chapters on the first two days of formal recruitment and will then narrow down their choices throughout the rest of the week. This formal process is new for the 2009-2010 academic year and additional details will be communicated via the web, email, and the facebook group.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to join an IFC fraternity, men must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and completed at least 12 credit hours. In addition, potential members must have attended at least 2 community service events or completed 3 hours of community service with a fraternity. A potential member can attend service events to meet this requirement with any fraternity; it does not need to be the chapter that he ultimately ends up joining.
In addition, students are not eligible to join a Greek organization is they are placed on disciplinary probation. Students can be placed are placed on disciplinary probation for a violations of state law and university policy, including but not limited to underage consumption of alcohol, intoxication, possession or use of a fake id, fighting or drug usage. As such, men interested in joining should conduct themselves in a respectable manner and make responsible personal decisions so that their behavior does not prevent them from joining a Greek organization.
Men must register online, fill out an information release card and pay a $20 registration fee. This can be done at the IFC Information Fair on August 30th or at any time during the first semester in the Office of Greek Life 339 Sarratt Student Center. Students are encouraged to register early so that they will be send invitations to events by the chapters and the Interfraternity Council.
Deferred Joining
Since 1973, Vanderbilt has had a deferred joining system. Under this system, students have the entire fall semester to adjust to college academics and living in a residence hall. There is also the opportunity to observe the Greek community. The advantage to deferred joining is that students can make a more informed decision about whether to join a fraternity and which organization suits them best. Each group has its own character, but all have similar programs and activities. They all encourage academic achievement, community service, social activities, leadership development and strong friendships.
Pledging Information
The education period following recruitment lasts between 5-8 weeks. This time is used for brotherhood development and to teach new members about the history, traditions, structure, management and ritual of the chapter. While it is a serious time commitment, pledging should not interfere with classes or study time. Every chapter has a scholarship program that includes study hours for new members. Vanderbilt University and every International Greek organization prohibit hazing in any form during this new member education period. For more information about the laws and policies regarding Hazing, please click here.
