IFC Fraternity Guide

greeklife.uci.edu | www.irvineifc.com

One question I ask many fraternity and sorority members at UCI is why they joined. This past

year, a member provided one of the best answers I have heard in my 10 years working with the

Greek community. They said joining a Greek organization was everything they were looking for

college in one organization. You might be reading this and wondering what they meant. Instead of joining

multiple student organizations, playing on different intramural teams, or spending lots of time trying to

find out what the campus offers, joining a fraternity provides all of it and more!

Joining a fraternity affords students the opportunity to experience everything a student would want to

do in college. Meet new people, gain leadership experiences, attend campus events, find roommates,

study with students in their major, get involved on campus, and make a difference through service and

philanthropy. It is truly an electrifying experience for many students. Fraternity membership is life

changing!

I know how many of you feel entering a large university. When I was freshman I felt confused, intimidated,

and a little over overwhelmed. I found that joining a fraternity truly helped me address everything I was

feeling. Within a few weeks, I made great friends and the opportunity to play intramural sports was so

much fun. Everyone I met wanted more from their college experience, they wanted to be leaders. Little did

I know, some of the people I met would become my lifelong friends.

The idea of joining a fraternity may seem overwhelming or just not for you.

I get it. UCI is an academically rigorous university, transitioning to the

quarter system is challenging, and living of your own is a new experience.

If your idea of college is being a part of an organization that values

academic success, leadership development, and creating a really fun and

exciting UCI experience, joining a fraternity is for you.

Brian ClarkeDirector, Greek Life

In This GuideWelcome

About Fraternities at UCI

Greek Terminology

Recruitment Tips

The Interfraternity Council (IFC)

IFC Chapters

Alpha Epsilon PiAlpha Sigma PhiBeta Theta PiDelta Sigma PhiKappa Sigma Phi Delta ThetaFIJIPhi Kappa PsiPi Kappa AlphaPi Kappa PhiSigma Alpha EpsilonSigma ChiSigma NuSigma Phi EpsilonSigma PiTriangle

Leadership Spotlight

History of Greek Life at UCI

Statements about Hazing & Alcohol

Mission Statement: Greek Life at UC Irvine works

with students to create an

inclusive environment that

challenges members to develop

into leaders who uphold the

values, oaths, and commitments

of their collegiate fraternal

organization at UC Irvine. Greek

Life values on going relationships

with alumni, volunteers,

campus administrators, and

the surrounding community

in order to create meaningful

and purposeful undergraduate

experiences that fosters a

commitment to service and

lifetime membership.

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LeadershipUCI’s sororities and fraternities are self-governing organizations that offer significant

opportunities for students to develop leadership skills. Members set policies and standards,

serve in chapter leadership positions, manage budgets, chair committees, and plan

community service and social events. These and other leadership opportunities help

members learn how to motivate others, encourage critical thinking, plan effective programs,

resolve conflicts, and develop communication and organizational skills.

ScholarshipFraternities and sororities are committed to academic success. Often, chapters provide

academic resources for their members, including planned study sessions and tutoring.

Additionally, many chapters offer financial awards and scholarship programs to encourage

scholastic achievement.

CommunityBrotherhood and sisterhood are the bonds of community and friendship that last a lifetime.

These communal bonds are not only found locally, but also among many chapters nationally.

Brotherhood and sisterhood activities include chapter retreats and alumni events. The

familial bonds in Greek organizations are very strong and last long past graduation.

Philanthropy & ServiceOne of the most gratifying parts of Greek life is the sense of satisfaction and pride that

comes with involvement in community service and philanthropic events. Each chapter

has its own philanthropy and participates on both a local and national level through

volunteering, projects, and fundraising. Each year, the Greek community donates thousands

of dollars and volunteers numerous hours to local and national charities.

SocialFraternities and sororities come together to celebrate annual traditions, such as

Homecoming, Reunions Weekend, and Greek Convocation. Mixers, formals, cookouts, theme

parties, date functions, and other social events provide.

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The decision to join a fraternity or sorority can be one of the most significant and

rewarding choices you make during your college career. The experience of being

a member of the Greek community provides students with a complement to their

academics at Irvine and attends to their development as adults by providing them with

study groups, values-based programming, service opportunities, leadership positions,

social outlets, lifelong friendships, and a career network.

Joining a fraternity is a fantastic way to meet people on campus who share goals,

passions, and commitment to certain ideals. Membership varies across organizations,

so we encourage you to explore Greek life for yourself. Discard any preconceived notions

you have about what it means to be Greek. Search for an organization that best suits your

personality and represents what you hope to accomplish during your time at UC Irvine.

Rush will run through the first two weeks of Fall Quarter & a great start to your experience

can begin by visiting the various organizations boothing along Ring Road. Also please feel

free to browse our website at: www.irvineifc.com.

About Fraternity at UCI

Active: A member who has been initiated into

lifelong fraternity or sorority membership and is active

at the collegiate level.

Bid: A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.

Bid Day: The last day of recruitment when new

members accept their bids and officially join their new

organization.

Big: Short for “big sister” or “big brother”; an active

member who serves as a mentor for newer members.

Chapter: A local group of the larger inter/national

organization.

Colony: A student organization in the final stage

before being installed as a chartered chapter of an

inter/nationally affiliated organization.

Formal Recruitment: The period of time set aside by the

Interfraternity Council for meeting potential members.

At UCI this takes place the first week of every quarter.

Fraternity: The name applied to all Greek-letter

organizations. Informally, this name applies to men’s

groups, while women’s organizations may be sororities

or female fraternities.

Initiation: The formal ceremony that brings a new

member into full Greek membership. Each chapter

has a different set of requirements that must be met

in order to be initiated.

Legacy: Someone whose mother, father, aunt, uncle,

sister, brother, grandmother, or grandfather is an

initiated member of a specific Greek organization.

Little: Short for “little sister” or “little brother”; a

newer member who is mentored by an older member

of the organization.

New Member: A potential member who has accepted

the bid of a fraternity or sorority, but has not been

initiated. Often referred to as pledges.

New Member Program/Pledgeship: The period of

learning about fraternity and sorority life prior to

initiation. In addition to learning the history of the

organization, new members may attend presentations

on topics such as study skills, sexual misconduct,

substance abuse, and other important issues.

Philanthropy: A service project sponsored by a

chapter from which donations of goods, money,

and/or time are given to charitable organizations.

Potential New Member (PNM): A college man or

woman who is participating in recruitment. Often

referred to as “rushee”.

Sorority: A group of women joined together in

friendship for leadership and academic purposes.

Greek Terminology RecruitmentTips

How can I get involved in this chapter?

What activities are you/your chapter

involved in?

I am interested in (blank). How are you

involved in this organization/major

or how can I get involved with it on

campus?

What is the time commitment in your

chapter?

What is your favorite fraternity memory?

What are the benefits of being in a

fraternity?

What does your chapter value?

What makes your chapter unique?

What do you enjoy the most

about being in your chapter?

What was your freshman year like?

What is your philanthropy?

Questions to Ask Chapters

Move beyond the stereotypes and really try

to get to know the men you meet.

Get to know the men you attend

recruitment events with. Regardless of

what chapter they join, you may make a

new friend.

Keep notes of what you do/do not like about

the chapters you visit. Remember that the

chapters are just as nervous as you are.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing and

remember that you are trying to put your

best foot forward.

Try not to get frustrated when you get

asked the same questions by several

people - they are trying to get to know you!

Be enthusiastic about meeting new people

- even if you do not see yourself becoming

their brother.

Ask questions! You are trying to find the

best place for you.

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The Interfraternity Council (IFC)

The Interfraternity Council at the University of California, Irvine serves as the governing body for the

sixteen men’s fraternities on campus. The council serves as a resource for the chapters and forms a

common organization each chapter can use to associate with one another. All participants in the IFC are

from fraternity chapters here at UCI. It currently has nine executive council members who are elected representatives

serving full, calendar year terms. The IFC’s vision is to uphold faithfully the ideals and beliefs of its predecessors and

create a unified community that is encompassed of strong men, full of leaders both in academia and in service. The

IFC Cabinet is composed of internal committees responsible for leadership,administrative affairs, public relations,

scholarship, recruitment, interfraternal relations, risk management,and community service. The IFC is guided by a

campus advsior, an experienced, full-time fraternity and sorority life professional, that works in the Student Life &

Leadership Office.

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Interfraternity Council Chapters

Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEΠ)National Founding: 1913, New York University

National Website: www.aepi.org

Symbol: The Lion

Philanthropy: Cuck Fancer

Alpha Sigma Phi (AΣΦ)

Beta Theta Pi (BΘΠ)National Founding:

1839, Miami University (Ohio)

National Website: www.beta.org

Philanthropy: Dragon Classics

Delta Sigma Phi (ΔΣΦ)National Founding:

1899, City College of New York

National Website: www.deltasig .org

Symbol: Sphinx

Philanthropy: American Red Cross

Kappa Sigma (KΣ)National Founding:

1869, University of Virginia

National Website: www.kappasigma.org

Philanthropy: Military Heroes Foundation

National Founding: 1845, Yale University

National Website: www. alphasigmaphi.org

Symbol: Phoenix

Philanthropy: Multiple (5)

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Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠKA/PIKE)National Founding: 1868, University of Virginia

National Website: www.pikes.org

Philanthropy: Pikes of the Caribbean,

Cuck Fancer, Firemen’s Benevolent

Association (Fireman’s Challenge)

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠKΦ)National Founding: 1904, College of Charleston

National Website: www.pikapp.org

Philanthropy: War of the Roses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣAE)National Founding: 1856, University of Alabama

National Website: www.sae.net

Philanthropy: Miss Minerva

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)National Founding:

1848, Miami University (Ohio)

National Website: www.phideltatheta.org

Philanthropy:

Phi Delt C.A.R.Es, ALS Association

FIJI (ΦΓΔ)National Founding: 1848, JeffersonCollege

National Website: www.phigam.org

Philanthropy: FIJI Lifeguard

Phi Kappa Psi (ΦKΨ)National Founding: 1852, Jefferson College

National Website: www.phikappapsi.com

Philanthropy:

Boys & Girls’ Club of America (Phi Psi 500)

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Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦE)National Founding: 1901, Richmond College

National Website: www.sigep .org

Philanthropy: SigEp Safari

Sigma Pi (ΣΠ)National Founding:

1897, Vincennes University

National Website: www.sigmapi.org

Philanthropy: Sigma Pi Puppy Love

Triangle FraternityNational Founding: 1907, University of Illinois

National Website: www.triangle.org

Emphasis: Engineering

Philanthropy: Habitat for Humanity

Sigma Chi (ΣX)National Founding:

1855, Miami University (Ohio)

National Website: www.sigmachi.org

Philanthropy: Derby Days

Sigma Nu (ΣN)National Founding:

1869, Virginia Military Institute

National Website: www.sigmanu.org

Philanthropy: Slater Ball

When did you join Greek life &

what prompted you to Rush?

“I joined Greek life Fall quarter

2013, and I was prompted to rush

because I saw great opportunities

to broaden my connections on

campus. I came from a small high

school, and knew no one when I

began here at UC Irvine.”

Describe your experience in your

chapter and the Greek Community

as a whole thus far. “My experience in my chapter has been

extremely memorable. I was able to be new member coordinator

where I gained a closer knit connection to my fraternity by

helping the new members realize and understand the great

opportunities and connections that are made in our fraternity.

In the Greek Community as a whole, I have been involved with

Greek week, by being a chapter representative for my first two

years. I have also heavily been involved in Greek Songfest,

whether being in show, or being a part of the Executive Board

helping raise over 60,000 dollars for our philanthropy of choice!”

How has Greek Life contributed to your development as a student

and leader at UC Irvine? “Coming into UCI I was not a well

connected student. Through greek life, I was able to enhance

my ability inpublic speaking, interacting with new people, and

growing to be a leader inside and outside of my fraternity.”

What are your favorite

aspects about being a

part of the Greek System?

“In general, it has been

an amazing experience

to compete in different

aspects of the Greek

Community. Sororities

host philanthropy

competitions and it’s

fulfilling to win a good

cause with your brothers. Another great aspect are

Intramural Sports. I was able to witness my fraternity

win Basketball and Baseball consecutively for 3 years in

a row. That competitiveness against other fraternities

sparks rivalry and memories back to when I played

sports in high school. Overall, it’s great knowing you

belong to the Greek Community because we are all one

giant family.”

What other on-campus involvements have you been a

part of during your time at UC Irvine? “My other campus

involvements include being a SPOP Staffer, Resident

Assistant in Middle Earth, Community Assistant at

Puerta del Sol and various club organization such as

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and 3D

Printing Club. I was also the Vice President for the

IFC Executive Board in 2016. I was able to balance all

of this while being in a fraternity because of various

connections through the Greek community”

What advice would you have to offer incoming students

who are considering going Greek? “My advice to

incoming students who are considering going Greek

is that joining a fraternity was the best decision I ever

made in college. I highly suggest joining a fraternity/

sorority because you are able to experience so much

and have access to so many opportunities. As a

freshman I was hesitant joining because of balancing

my workload as a Biomedical Engineering Major but

quickly found out that my chapter was able to provide

academic resources such a study hours and tutoring to

help one another succeed.”

Describe some favorable aspects about your pledging

experience. “My favorite memory about becoming a new

member was forming bonds with my pledge brothers in

Pi Kappa Alpha. They are now my best friends and all of

them will be in my wedding some day. Another favorite

experience was finding out who my big Bro was. At

the time, my big bro was a Bio Major and was able to

balance both school and social life. He’s now in Med

School and someone that I look up to and can count on.”

Leadership Spotlight

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What Is Hazing?The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring

on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or

acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental

or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being

initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership

in any organization whose members are or include students at an educational

institution.

Hazing is commonly defined as any action taken or situation created, whether

on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort,

embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Anti-hazing legislation or policies

have been adopted by the State of California, The University of California,

Irvine, the Interfraternity Council and all national fraternities.

If you are subjected to hazing, state law requires that you report it to the Office

of the Dean of Students. Hazing has no place in the fraternity community and

should not be tolerated. Chapters that haze are not worth your time and are

dangerous. Recruitment is intended to provide opportunities to spend time

getting to know each other.

According to the IFC Constitution & Recruitment Policy, alcohol is not to be

served to minors under any circumstances. No alcohol should be served to

minors during any recruitment function, whether it is one-on-one or in a large

group. Most IFC organizations have national policies that bar the use of alcohol

at any and all recruitment and new member activities. If you are under 21 and

you are offered alcohol at a fraternity event, that chapter is violating UCI’s

IFC Rules and they are also breaking the law. No alcohol should be used or be

present during any recruitment function or event, of any kind.

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UC Irvine Greek HistoryWhen UCI opened in 1965 there were no fraternities

or sororities on campus. Following the advice of the

Student Senate and the faculty Academic Senate,

Chancellor Aldrich agreed to place a moratorium

on the admission of national social organizations.

Between 1969 and 1970 students asked the

Chancellor to allow the groups to establish

chapters, but the two Senates once again advised

against, and the existing policy was maintained.

In 1972, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that

prohibiting the admission of national organizations

to college or university campuses violated the

First Amendment. As a result, Aldrich appointed a

faculty-student-staff committee to advise him, and

the group recommended that three fraternities and

three sororities be admitted.

Twenty-five organizations were interviewed for

admission in fall 1973, with the outcome that six

were invited to establish UCI chapters.

The first “rush” was held in spring 1974. No plans

were made to offer housing for the fraternities

or sororities.