Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the point of participating in an IFC chapter at SDSU?

There’s no one right reason to join an IFC fraternity, because membership in IFC at SDSU has many advantages! From joining a built-in support system on campus, to making SDSU’s campus of 35,000+ students feel smaller, to joining a network of alumni dedicated to helping a new member advance, to developing leadership skills, to serving the local community, joining Greek Life at SDSU can help to make your college experience worthwhile and unforgettable.

What is IFC Rush?

The joining process for IFC fraternities is known as “rush” or recruitment. Students participating in rush are known as “prospective members” or PMs. IFC hosts a Formal Rush period at the beginning of both Fall and Spring semesters, which typically involves all active IFC fraternities.

Formal Rush: To sign up for Formal Rush, prospective members must register through IFC ChapterBuilder. The joining process starts off with the IFC Kickoff event and all fraternity chapters tabling along popular campus walkways. Then, each chapter coordinates their own rush events and makes their own membership selection decisions. The joining process concludes with IFC Bid Day, where prospective members find out which, if any, chapters have invited them to join.

Informal rush: Some chapters may also host an informal rush process after formal rush. This varies depending on the chapter, but all prospective members still must be confirmed eligible before joining.

When does IFC Rush start? + When should I fill out the IFC Registration Form?

Fall semester: Formal Rush starts in the second week of classes and typically ends by late September. Not all chapters host informal rush, but for those that do, it typically begins soon after IFC Bid Day and ends by late October.

Spring semester: Formal Rush starts in the second week of classes and typically ends by late February. Not all chapters host informal rush, but for those that do, it typically begins soon after IFC Bid Day and ends by Spring Break.

You should fill out the IFC Registration form as early as possible! Registration deadlines can vary from semester to semester. Filling it out early allows you to receive more communication and information from IFC, and gives you the best chance at being confirmed eligible in time for the joining process. Be sure to complete all the required pre-joining modules. All chapters will be able to access your PM profile from IFC Registration, but some chapters will also have individual recruitment interest forms to fill out, often located in their instagram bios.

What are common words used in the Greek or IFC community, specifically at SDSU?

Active: an active member of a fraternity, usually referring to an undergraduate.

Alumnus or Alumni: members of a fraternity that have graduated university.

Brother: an initiated member of the fraternity, can refer to either an undergraduate or an alumni.

Rush: the process for interested students to learn more about IFC fraternities, and for IFC fraternities to invite new members to join. IFC at SDSU has two formal rush periods, the Spring and the Fall. Chapters can also host informal rush after the formal rush period, but chapters are not permitted to invite people to join a fraternity outside of an academic semester.

Chapter: the campus-based group affiliated with an inter/national fraternity organization.

Interfraternity Council (IFC): the governing body of all IFC member fraternities on campus.

Pierce Greek Life Center (PGLC): can refer to both a physical office space located at 5500 Hardy Ave, and the team of dedicated professional SDSU staff members who support the Greek Life community through advising and programming!

New Member/Associate Member: a new member of an IFC organization that has not yet been initiated. SDSU recognizes students as new members of a fraternity throughout the semester they join an organization, regardless of initiation status.

Pledge: an outdated term referring to a new member/associate member. Historically, “pledging” has been associated with hazing behaviors. IFC is committed to hazing prevention, so we no longer use language like “pledge” or “pledging.”

New Member Education: when new members learn the values, signs, rituals, history, and membership expectations of a fraternity. New members are considered equal members of the organization, but the new member education period can be thought of like an employee onboarding period, where they are learning how to be an active member of the chapter before being officially initiated into the brotherhood. All fraternities at SDSU must submit a detailed new member education plan prior to any joining process, and all fraternities are expected to follow their approved inter/national organization’s policies for new member education.

Bid: a formal invitation to join a fraternity.

Prospective Member (PM): a student who is in the process of exploring potential membership in an IFC fraternity.

Dry Period & Dry Process: At SDSU, Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), including fraternities and sororities, are not permitted to host any off-campus events with alcohol at the start of each semester. Every Fall, the RSO dry period is August 1 to October 1. Every Spring, the RSO dry period is the first three weeks. Additionally, all joining processes (meetings, recruitment, rush, intake, auditions, interviews) events and activities, regardless of location, must be entirely free of alcohol and other drugs at all times. Members cannot provide or offer alcohol to students participating in a joining process, including at official events, unofficial gatherings, or private residences.

October 1st: the earliest date each Fall that a recognized student organization, including fraternities and sororities, can register any off-campus events with alcohol. IFC prepares chapters preemptively for this with hired security, alcohol and other drug education, and other risk management practices. Chapters must always follow the relevant university and IFC policies when planning off-campus events with alcohol, including but not limited to:

Members cannot provide or offer alcohol to underage students at any location or at any time.

Organization funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Common sources of alcoholic beverages (kegs, open bars, alcoholic punch, coolers filled with beer, borgs, plandles, wine bags, etc.) are prohibited.

Hard liquor is not permitted at organization events, unless registered and held at an establishment licensed to sell and serve alcohol (such as a third-party bar, restaurant, or hotel).

Drinking games, chants/songs, and competitions are prohibited.

Fraternities and sororities must provide for the safety of any member or guest who exhibits intoxication while at a chapter facility or chapter activities.

Attendance at social events is always optional, and many students enjoy a fun and meaningful fraternity membership experience with no alcohol.

Legacy: a prospective member whose family member was affiliated with a fraternity. Each inter/national fraternity organization has their own policy as to how they define a “legacy,” which may include grandfathers, brothers, fathers, etc. Legacy status does not guarantee an invitation to membership for any organization. SDSU and IFC do not manage or communicate legacy statuses to chapters. A prospective member can choose when and whether or not they want to disclose any legacy status to any organization. Lastly, legacy status is not a requirement to join any organization - many students at SDSU are the first in their family to join an IFC fraternity!

Stacks: an informal term that refers to the chapter facilities and individual apartments that are located at The Row, between Aztec Walk and Hardy Avenue just off campus. Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Theta, Delta Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, and Alpha Epsilon Pi are the fraternities that currently reside in “Stacks.” Some are independently owned by a fraternity housing corporation or an inter/national fraternity headquarters, while others may be leased or rented.

Greek Circle: an informal term that refers to the chapter facilities near College Place and Montezuma Road. Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, and Zeta Beta Tau are the current IFC chapters with residences in this neighborhood. Some are independently owned by a fraternity housing corporation or an inter/national fraternity headquarters, while others may be leased or rented.

Amnesty Policy: The Amnesty Policy represents SDSU’s commitment to encourage campus community members to report incidents of sexual violence, alcohol or other drug-related emergencies, and incidents of hazing. Since the primary concern of SDSU is the health, safety and well-being of our members, the Amnesty Policy allows students to get help for themselves or others without the fear of receiving disciplinary sanctions through the SDSU conduct process.

Additionally, a Good Samaritan Policy was implemented in 2020 to incentivize Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) at SDSU to get emergency help for members or guests if needed. If an RSO seeks appropriate emergency personnel response and reports the incident to the University at the time of the incident, the University will not assign formal disciplinary sanctions to the RSO for violations of the alcohol or drug policies which took place during or immediately before the time of the incident. While the RSO will not be assigned sanctions, the incident will be documented, the organization may be requested to meet with University staff, and educational outcomes may be required. For more information, review the SDSU amnesty policies website.

How does the schedule for the Rush Weeks work?

The first week of events are often open to any prospective member that wants to attend and check out a chapter.

The second week of events often includes smaller, invite-only events, which allow chapters and prospective members to narrow down their choices for membership. You may be contacted by chapters through phone, text, social media direct messages, or email with more information.

What happens at rush events?

Rush events are designed for chapters to learn more about you and for you to learn more about them in a relaxed environment, and for you to be able to ask questions you have about their specific chapter or Greek Life in general. They also help chapters and prospective members to decide mutually if they are a “fit.”

Examples of past rush events include BBQs, sports days, game nights, Sumo wrestling, bowling @ Aztec Lanes, interviews, and more!

It’s normal if you feel a little nervous or overwhelmed at a rush event, but participating in a joining process should be an overall positive experience. If you would be reluctant to have a video of an activity shown to your parents or family, the police, university administrators, or the news media, it is likely that you shouldn’t do it or allow it to happen. The majority of our chapters prioritize hosting a fun, safe, and inclusive joining process, but if you ever have questions or concerns about an activity, please reach out to the university for support.

What should I wear to rush events?

Rush events at SDSU chapters are often quite casual, with a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, jeans, etc. being perfectly acceptable. Chapters may also have more formal events, in which active members and prospective members may be expected to dress in business professional attire.

If you have questions about attire for a specific event, reach out to the chapter’s specific rush chair or President, listed in the “Chapters” page. You can also email rushifcsdsu@gmail.com and we will do our best to answer, or put you into contact with someone that can.

Does participating in IFC rush cost money?

No! There is no fee to sign up or participate in IFC formal rush. IFC is dedicated to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for exploring potential fraternity membership. The only rush-related cost you might incur is a $25 fee, paid at IFC Bid Day, if you receive an invitation to membership and want to accept the bid. This fee pays for IFC Kickoff, Bid Day, our recruitment software, marketing materials, rush supplies, and other necessary expenses.

If I sign up for rush and change my mind, what happens? Do I need to notify anyone?

Yes - we encourage open communication and transparency among prospective members, chapters, and IFC. IFC often budgets and makes financial decisions based on the number of prospective members in the joining process, so it can be helpful if you send a quick email letting IFC know you are no longer participating this semester and indicating if you want to remain on the interest list for the future. Similarly, it is recommended that you notify any chapters if you are no longer interested in them, instead of ghosting them! If you decide an IFC fraternity isn’t for you, we can also help you get connected to other involvement opportunities, like culturally-based fraternities, professional fraternities, or a variety of different student organizations and offices across campus.

Who do I contact with questions about rush?

If you have questions for a specific chapter during the rush week, the best person to contact is their recruitment chair or the chapter’s President, listed under their Chapter page under “Chapters.”

If you have a more direct or general question about IFC recruitment, contact rushifcsdsu@gmail.com

How much does it cost to be in a fraternity?

There are financial obligations to membership, but chapters try to reduce barriers and communicate upfront what those expected payments would be. For IFC fraternities, new members pay on average $1,200 in membership dues for their first semester. In later semesters, active members see lower costs, typically averaging $800 per semester. Some chapters offer further discounts to juniors and seniors, or reduced dues for members who take on leadership roles in the chapter. Membership dues often help pay for important educational workshops, leadership development, operational expenses, insurance, brotherhood retreats, and other programs.

As part of every joining process, chapters are expected to share financial transparency information with prospective members, including estimates of membership dues for the upcoming semester. Many students work to finance their IFC experience, and many chapters offer payment plans or scholarships. Further, the IFC experience is an investment in one’s future, and can pay dividends later in one’s life, through leadership experience, connections gained through social and brotherhood events, and alumni connections.

What about Hazing?

Hazing causes harm to others and our community, and hazing is strictly prohibited by University policy, California law, federal legislation, and the policies of all recognized fraternities and sororities. The Student Organization Handbook defines hazing as "Hazing is defined as any method of indoctrination, initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization, or any other organization-related activity, which, regardless of location, intent, membership status or rank of the participants, or the express or implied consent of the participants, causes, or is reasonably likely to cause, physical or mental injury, substantial mental or physical discomfort or stress, personal degradation, harassment or intimidation of or to any former, current or prospective student of any educational institution. Hazing also includes any activity that compels a student to participate in any activity that is unlawful, publicly indecent or contrary to the policies and regulations of the university, or any activity that unreasonably and materially interferes with a student’s academic efforts". (SDSU Student Organization Handbook)

Sometimes prospective members are hesitant to report hazing because they don’t want to jeopardize their chances to be invited to join an organization. But IFC wants to make it clear that you, and other people, should never feel like you have to do something harmful to yourself or others in order to maintain or be considered for membership in our fraternities.

IFC encourages you to report any hazing concerns directly to the university:

Call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.

Call 619-594-1991 to report hazing to the SDSU Police Department.

Email reporthazing@sdsu.edu to report hazing anonymously.

Submit a Student Organization Incident Report to report any concerns about specific student organizations.

To prevent hazing at SDSU, IFC fraternities understand the importance of:

bystander intervention (people speaking up, safely stopping the behavior, and/or reporting information when you witness or have knowledge of potential hazing)

peer accountability (making sure other people know that joining an organization should always be a positive experience, and that there are consequences for people who participate in and/or allow hazing to happen in our community)

ongoing education (helping people understand how to identify potential hazing, the harmful impacts of hazing, and better alternatives to hazing)

If you realize you might have been hazed or know about ongoing hazing, it’s not too late for you to get help and report the hazing so it doesn’t happen to other people.

Most importantly, if you are invited to join an IFC fraternity, you will be expected to help us prevent hazing. Hazing is a national public health issue, but it doesn’t have to happen at SDSU, and IFC is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our community at all times.