FAQ's
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is “Rush Week” and what is a “Bid”?
Recruitment (or “Rush”) Week is a week-long event during which fraternities and
sororities seek to recruit potential new members. This mutual selection process
consists of several days during which potential new members will visit the chapter
houses, giving them the opportunity to decide if Greek life is something they would
enjoy. Formal Recruitment is broken up into four days with varying themes and then
culminates on Bid Day (Friday for fraternities and Saturday for sororities). On
Bid Day, chapters will extend “bids,” or formal invitations to potential new members
to join a chapter. Bids will be administered by members of CPC or IFC, only in the
presence of potential new members to ensure that students can make their decision
without any pressure.
Q: How will my grades be impacted by membership in a fraternity or
sorority?
Fraternities and sororities serve as great academic resources for students with
programs such as chapter house and library study hours, tutoring programs, time
management workshops and study groups. Most chapters have a minimum GPA requirement
of a 2.5 or higher for initial membership as well as continuing active membership.
Typically the average GPA for new members exceeds the all-campus undergraduate average.
Q: It seems like a lot of money to join a sorority… where will my
money go?
Although the specific breakdown varies from chapter to chapter, here are the most
common places your dues are distributed:
- Meals
- Staff Salaries (cooks, housekeeping, etc.)
- Maintenance (house corporation fees, grounds keeping, remodeling, etc.)
- Social Events
- National and University Dues
- Educational Programming
Q: Why go Greek?
The Greek community at UCSB prepares students in a wide variety of fields including
leadership development, community service and social opportunities. Within each
chapter there are numerous leadership positions that fit unique interests and abilities.
Furthermore, Greeks play a very instrumental role on campus as both leaders of the
Greek community as well as various campus organizations and associations.
Q: Do I have to Rush in the Fall?
Although some chapters offer a second annual recruitment in Winter or Spring, it
is not a guarantee that every chapter will do so. The only time that all chapters
participate in Recruitment simultaneously is during the Fall. Furthermore, Fall
Recruitment provides students with a broader perspective of the Greek system and
what is available, with a view at every chapter on campus.
Q: How will I balance my time between my sorority/fraternity involvement
and school?
Most chapters make involvement within the chapter a way to ease the sometimes overwhelming
nature of school, particularly during the first year. Chapters often provide their
new members with mentors within the chapter, who make themselves available to assist
new members in anything from scheduling classes to studying for exams. Additionally,
many chapters provide workshops on time management and campus resources to assist
you. Furthermore, your involvement, particularly as a new member is completely dependent on how available you want to make yourself and how much or little you would like to dedicate to the organization.
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