Texas Tech Advisor's Circle: Helping Fraternities to Suceed

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Go Greek?

Scholarship

Texas Tech University fraternities strive for academic excellence and developing the scholastic achievement of their members. One sign of this commitment to academics is that the all-greek grade point average is consistently higher than the all-University grade point average. To help their members succeed academically, chapters have well established scholarship programs. These programs include resources such as study hall sessions, time management workshops, academics advisors, tutoring programs and more.

Fraternities reward high academic achievement in many ways such as scholarships, awards, and recognition banquets. There are also all Greek honor societies to recognition banquets. There area also all Greek honor societies to recognize the achievements of Fraternity members.

Leadership

The Fraternity system offers you numerous opportunities to gain valuable leadership experience. Each chapter governs itself with its own elected officers. Fraternities also encourage you to become involved in numerous campus activities. Many Fraternities have larger memberships than the majority of alternative student organizations. This enables you to learn leadership skills by being involved in a large, multifaceted organization.
Today's employers and graduate schools seek the type of individual who not only excelled in academics, but also became well-rounded through active involvement on campus. The fraternity system offers you an excellent opportunity to meet and exceed these standards set by employers and graduate schools.

Brotherhood

Brotherhood is the foundation of the fraternity experience. Every man in a fraternity contributes to this aspect. They combine the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation. You will from friendships unlike any you will experience in other campus organization. Brotherhood is not conformity. No fraternity at Tech is made up of member who are exactly alike. The fraternal system benefits from the rich diversity of the Tech campus. This is what makes the fraternity experience so valuable. By interacting with people from various, cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds, you are better prepared to face challenges of life after college.
Joining a fraternity will enable you to have a richer and more rewarding Tech experience, a richer and more rewarding Tech experience. The fraternity will become a home away from home and you will find that brotherhood extends well beyond your undergraduate years.

Philanthropy

Community service and philanthropy projects give Greeks a chance to assist and give back to the community of Lubbock. All Greek chapters have national philanthropic organizations that they support locally. Some of these organizations include: Cowboy Crisis Fund, Lubbock State School, Children's Burn Awareness, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity, MDA, Bethphagy, Mission South, American Heart Association, United Blood Services, Parkinson's disease Research, American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House, and Children's Miracle Network.
Chapters also collaborate in community service projects that benefit local charities service projects that benefit local charities. During the school year members of each chapter participate in Safe-Trick-or-Treat, Tech Can Food Drive, Relay for Life benefiting American Cancer Society and the Lubbock Lions Club Pancake Festival benefiting the Lubbock Community.

Rush Questions

There are 22 fraternities and 11 sororities, which includes close to 16% of the campus undergraduate population.

What is Rush?

Rush is the process which prospective members and fraternities select who will be in which fraternity. Rush is held twice a year (Fall and Spring) and comes in two forms (Formal and Open). Formal is the preferred method because you get to see all fraternities on campus and get a better feel for which fraternity is the best for you personally. Open rush is used for men who have already decided which fraternity they want to join. During Rush you see all fraternities. Then as the week progresses, you narrow your choices by choosing your top 10, 4, 2, and then your final choice of fraternity. At the same time, fraternities narrow down the number of members they invite back. Thereby it is a two-sided narrowing process.

When is Rush?

In the Fall rush period the week prior to the start of class is when events are held. In the Spring the schedule is different so that rush takes place in the evenings of the second week of class.

Rush starts the same day as dorm move-in, what do I do?

Housing & Dining will allow anyone going through rush to move in early, a day early to accommodate rush (fall rushees only).

What is the main reason why I should go through Rush?

For each person it is different. Some join for the social atmosphere. Some join for the leadership opportunities. Some to improve their grades. Others just to be a part of something. Each person in the Greek system has a unique, but valuable reasoning for their joining.

• There are more men in American college fraternities now than at any other time in their existence, since Phi Beta Kappa was formed at the College of William and Mary in 1776.

Am I the fraternity type?

There is no fraternity type. Most of the stereotypes about fraternity membership are myths. One of the strengths of Texas Tech’s fraternity system is the diversity of the individuals who are associated with it. Each fraternity, no matter how large or small in number, consists of members who have varied interests and backgrounds.

How do I get a bid?

Bids are extended at the end of rush week to those who have visited the fraternity, met most of the members, and expressed an interest in the fraternity. Do not feel obligated to accept a bid until you are sure that you have made the best decision.

Do I have to go through IFC Formal rush?

No, however going through IFC formal rush gives you a complete look at the Texas Tech Fraternity system.

Do I have to register?

Yes. It is a simple online process you can find here.

How much time does a fraternity take?

In addition to the fraternity’s social and recreational functions, meetings and other activities usually require about 4-8 hours per week. While fraternity membership does require a certain amount of time, most fraternity men find little problem blending their fraternity activities with their scholastic schedules, work and other obligations. Some fraternities require more time than others, so be sure to ask questions regarding time commitments during rush.

If I’m new to Texas Tech, wouldn’t it be better to “get my feet on the ground” before joining a fraternity?

On the contrary, a large institution such as Texas Tech can often be confusing and impersonal. By joining a fraternity your first semester, you can have an immediate family of friends, all willing to help you cope with the hassles of college life and experiences you’ll face.

• Nearly four and one half million are members including more than 350,000 collegians on campuses throughout Canada and the United States.

What effect will a fraternity have on my grades?

In a fraternity, members assist each other by giving general recommendations and evaluations of classes to each other, and you can always find a fraternity brother to help you with your studies. Fraternities offer study sessions, tutoring programs, grade point requirements, and other programs to help meet the academic needs of their members.

What is the best fraternity on campus?

Each fraternity has their own particular strengths. It depends on your personal criteria to determine which is the best. That is why we encourage all Male Freshmen to go through Formal Rush to get a taste of all the different fraternities to find the best fit for you.

• 68 NIC member fraternities have over 5,300 chapters and 405 colonies at over 800 colleges and universities.