<p>Looking for a run down of the current status of the IFC frats on campus. It is somewhat confusing. One not on campus? One suspended or just on probation? Can anyone give a list of who is on and who is off campus now? What are the current reputations? Is it too late to decide to rush? Any advice for someone just deciding to rush?</p>
<p>It’s not too late to decide to rush. There are a few in trouble/on probation/suspended right now but it’s all temporary. Talk to your friends who are rushing and see if they will bring you along, that’s the best way. Otherwise you might try reaching out to rush chairs. I’m assuming you are registered for rush and have attended the mandatory meetings?</p>
<p>Go to rush events and meet brothers, make sure to meet the rush chairs. Starting late means you really will have to be proactive about attending events and meeting people.</p>
<p>What happens to the freshmen rushes when a frat is suspended like Lamba Chi or ATO? What happens to the rest of the frat?</p>
<p>LXA lost their charter, they will not be returning. Their rushes will have to start rushing elsewhere. Most people rush several houses at once anyway. Their brothers will probably continue to throw events/small parties at off campus locations or in dorms, but they will not take a pledge class. Some fraternities take “underground” pledge classes once kicked off campus but I think that’s unlikely for LXA.</p>
<p>From my understanding, ATO is actually going to be able to take a pledge class, and they will probably be scrambling for rushes once they are unsuspended so that might be a good place to start.</p>
<p>Will DTD get a house then? Will the other frats take larger pledge classes then to take in those rushes left out of the suspended frats?</p>
<p>DTD will probably not get a house, there are other fraternities (KA, ZBT) moving back onto campus and reclaiming their old houses; fraternities like Fiji and SAE will need housing and probably get priority over DTD which is not an official fraternity yet or something.</p>
<p>Whether other fraternities choose to take more pledges is totally up to them. The overall size of the rush class this year is smaller than usual to begin with.</p>
<p>“The overall size of the rush class this year is smaller than usual to begin with.”
What is this based on?
Actual number of those registered, personal observation or anecdotal evidence?</p>
<p>It is based on the number that registered to rush at Open Dores.</p>
<p>Pancaked, I thought that FIJI was in the old KA house. Does KA get to come back and take their old house back from the FIJIs? Same for ZBT? (Although I’m not sure who has their old house.)</p>
<p>Yes, I mentioned Fiji and SAE will need housing because KA and ZBT will reclaim their old houses soon and displace these two.</p>
<p>Will KA and ZBT take a pledge class this year? Is rush basically over at many of the houses already or will there be more open rush events in December and January?</p>
<p>KA and ZBT will not take a pledge class this semester, unless they have some underground rush going. I don’t know the exact timeline for when they will return but they will take their first pledge class after they are back on campus.</p>
<p>Rush is pretty much over at most of the top tier houses; they have made many rounds of cuts and pretty much have bids decided. ATO will probably be scrambling for rushes if it turns out they are allowed to take a pledge class. Otherwise, spots may still be up for grabs at lower tier houses like Fiji and Phi Psi.</p>
<p>Then it seems to be a misnomer to say rush is 2nd semester. For guys rush is basically in October. This should be stressed much more than it is.</p>
<p>It is completely a misnomer. Vanderbilt administration really tries to create and emphasize the Commons community/culture and downplay Greek life–that is much of the reason pledging for guys and girls alike is second semester, and freshman aren’t allowed on Greek row for the first couple of weeks.</p>
<p>This has also led to some apparently intentional misinformation about rushing for guys. I have heard tour guides and read Vandy materials that makes it sound that rush is basically reserved for the second semester, like you suggest. This is mostly true for girls, but not true at all for guys. </p>
<p>The good news is you CAN rush the second semester-- but you’d end up pledging when you arrive back to campus in Fall after summer break. It’s basically impossible to start rushing second semester and get a bid two weeks later. Fall pledge classes are smaller and consists of sophomores who missed freshman rush and transfer students.</p>
<p>That’s good info pancaked, thank you. I know a lot of guys who thought they had more time and didn’t focus on it early but are still interested.</p>
<p>It doesn’t seem easy to rush at this point, or even 2 weeks ago. It’s hard to get the information if you don’t already know someone. I guess lots of guys didn’t go to or even know about the Open Dores sign up day until after it was over.</p>
<p>How does second semester fraternity rush work? Is it completely informal–are there any open rush events?</p>
<p>It’s similar to first semester rush. There are open rush events, though fewer as there is a much smaller pool of candidates.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt’s fraternity rush is really a mess. If you haven’t been going to a house regularly for the first semester (and not been cut - yes, they do make cuts during the fall), you’re not going to do well. My S got his bid at the Xmas formal at the end of fall semester. Some spend all semester at a house, then aren’t given a bid and they are completely screwed. It’s too late at that point to go somewhere else. I have never seen anything so completely dysfunctional. Second semester rush doesn’t really happen in most houses. It’s over before the Winter Break.</p>
<p>Many people are rushing 2-3 houses even up until the last day. Definitely shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.</p>