Interfraternity Council Recruitment Policy

This policy has been created in order to define the rules and regulations with which rush
may be conducted. Everything contained herein is in accordance with the bylaws of The
Interfraternity Council and the Statement of Relationship between Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute and Social Fraternities and Sororities.
1) General IFC Rush
a. All dates and locations of general IFC Fall Rush events will be set by the Vice
President of Recruitment no later than two weeks prior to the end of the spring
semester
b. The start of IFC Rush includes "Meet the Greeks". This event is mandatory for all
chapters and a maximum of three (3) people may represent each chapter. If any
chapter has more than three representatives at “Meet the Greeks” the violating
fraternity will pay $200.00 dollars per representative over the limit of three (3).
Any chapter not present will also be fined $200.00.
c. Chapters are allowed to have a maximum of ten (10) brothers total at “Freshmen
Move-In”. This includes all areas of “Freshman Move-In.” Fraternity members
may, and are encouraged to, wear letters while assisting. If any chapter has more
than three representatives at “Freshmen Move-In” the violating fraternity will pay
$50.00 dollars per representative over the limit of ten (10).
d. Regulations regarding various IFC Rush events such as whether letters may be
worn and number of members allowed will be determined at a later date. All
Chapters will be offered equal representation. Infractions of these rules will be
treated in the same manner as other infractions.
e. Co-Sponsored events will be allowed on a date set by the Vice President of
Recruitment. For an event to occur it must be pre-approved by the IFC VICE
PRESIDENT OF RECRUITMENT prior to occurrence
2) Individual Chapter Rush
a. All dates and times during which it is acceptable to hold individual chapter rush
events will be set by the Vice President of Recruitment no later than two weeks
prior to the end of the spring semester.
b. No house may hold a chapter rush event during any time an IFC event has already
been announced.
c. Events must be registered with the Vice President of Recruitment.
i. A rush event is defined as any event where there are more than 4 unaffiliated
students on a fraternity residence at a given time.
ii. To register events each chapter must submit a calendar stating all
of the events that will be held. Late submission prior to the rush period will
result in a $50 chapter fine.
iii. If other events are added later each chapter will be responsible for
notifying the Vice President of Recruitment before the event is scheduled to
begin.
iv. Dates for submission of events will be set by the Vice President of
Recruitment no later than two weeks prior to the end of the spring
semester.
v. Failure to submit an added or changed event to the Vice President
of Recruitment prior to the event will result in a fine of $25.00 to
 the violating chapter.
d. All rush events must be tasteful and may not, in any way, degrade the Greek
System, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or any of the rush policies (exotic
dancers fall under this category). Failure to do this will result in a rush infraction.
e. Parties during rush are highly discouraged; however, if a chapter decides to hold a
party in accordance with the IFC Social Policy, first year unaffiliated male
students are NOT to be allowed into Greek parties before the end of any rush
period. Each chapter will be required to turn any first year unaffiliated male
students away, both over and under 21 years of age, if such an event is occurring.
Violation of this policy will result in the penalties listed in the Dry Rush section
of this document.
f. During a rush event or while a rushee is present, there will be NO ALCOHOL,
AND OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN USE, OR VISIBLE ON THE
PREMISES. This will be enforced at all times during and after the rush period.
Absolutely no lenience will be taken with this matter, and these policies are
directly related to those adopted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Violation of
this policy will result in the penalties listed in the Dry Rush section of this
document.
g. All Rush events and Capital District parties must adhere to the bylaws of The
Interfraternity Council, as well as those specified by local party and noise
ordinances
3) Spring/Summer Rush
a. The start of Spring Rush will be set by the Vice President of IFC Rush. Each
chapter participating will be responsible for turning in a schedule for their
individual rush events. Each chapter will not be allowed to rush until their final
schedule is handed in to the Vice President of Recruitment. Each rush event will
be monitored, and each event will follow all rush rules that apply to rush. The end
of spring rush will be decided by the Vice President of Recruitment.
b. Summer Rush is greatly encouraged, and must comply with all policies,
regulations, and laws. Prior to implementation, the Greek Life Office and the Vice
President Recruitment must approve summer rush events.
4) Student Orientation (SO)
a. Wearing of letters is allowed and strongly encouraged on campus at all times,
however Student Orientation advisors may not wear letters during SO.
b. No rushing of Student Orientation students is allowed during the summer SO
programs or during any welcome events, which occur the week prior to the start
of classes Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond Week), except for the period during
“Meet the Greeks”. Doing so is a disadvantage to those houses without members
present during SO.
c. Student Orientation advisors may acknowledge the fact that they are a member of
the Greek Community and promote Greek life in general if asked about it. At no
time should details about their individual chapter be given during SO.
d. At no time before chapter rush beginning should a chapter or its members actively
pursue new students in a rush manner (i.e. invite to rush events, invite to the
residence, or participate in chapter activities). Wearing of fraternity letters is
always encouraged.
5) Postering
a. All advertising must be tasteful and may not, in any way, degrade the Greek
System, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or any of the recruitment policies.
b. It is expected to follow all sign posting policies. Any questionable cases should
be approved by the Executive Board. Questions can be directed to the Executive
Vice President at ifc.rpi.evp@gmail.com.
c. No advertisement of any sort will be posted to the ground or to handrails.
Signs shall be spaced out by at least 100 feet. Any chapter violating this
will be fined $10 per violation.
d. Please note the following items from the Rensselaer Handbook’s sign
policy
i. Outdoor signs must not be posted on telephone or power poles,
trees, fences, doors, windows, benches, the ground, or Institute
buildings with the exception of the CII, DCC, and JEC
ii. Signs must not be posted in such a way as to cover or obscure
signs already on display
iii. Nails or any material damaging to the environment must not be
used to post signs. Signs may be mounted on bulletin boards only
with thumbtacks and staples. Nails, duct tape, string, chalk,
adhesive-backed signs (bumper sticker type), and direct application
of paint to any surface are prohibited iv) No sign shall be posted in
such a way that its removal shall be excessively difficult or
dangerous
6) Dorm Storming
a. Dorm Storming is defined as a recruitment technique in which you enter
the dorms and proceed to invite out rushes to an event on a room to room
basis. One person entering the dorms to personally invite a specific person
to participate in an individual house rush event is not considered dorm
storming.
b. No rushing is permitted in the freshman residence halls prior to the date
and time set by the Vice President of Recruitment. This includes rush
events and activities such as "Dorm Storming”. The only permitted event
before the sent time is “Freshman Move-In,” organized by The
Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. Any house in violation of
this policy will be fined the amount of $100.00.
c. A maximum of four (4) brothers from any one fraternity may "Dorm
Storm" in a given dorm at any given time. Rushing in dorms is only
allowed between 4:00pm and 9:00pm on weekdays and 12:00pm and 9:00
PM on weekends. Consideration must be given at all times to the residents
and their guests, including while giving out bids. Damage, disturbing
behavior, and excessive noise must be avoided at all times. Reasonable
requests from Resident Associates (RA's) and all dormitory rules must be
followed. Problems with Resident Associates should be brought before the
Interfraternity Council as soon as possible. They can be e-mailed to
ifc.rpi.recruit@gmail.com. Any house in violation of this policy will be fined the
amount
 of $50.00
7) Dry Rush
a. All Rush is considered to be DRY RUSH. This includes all formal and
non-formal rush activities associated with the Interfraternity Council and
that of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, regardless of event location
b. At no time during dry rush may a fraternity, a member, or and other
person on the fraternity premises make alcohol available to an unaffiliated first
year student. Nor shall alcohol be in view on the fraternity premises while an
unaffiliated first year student is present.
c. If any chapter is caught serving, consuming, or purchasing alcohol while a
first year student is present during Rush, that chapter will be in violation of Rush
Policy carrying a minimum of a minor penalty with ultimate penalty at the
discretion of the Executive Board (see section 11).
8) Bid System
a. Each chapter must submit a list of all students who are receiving bids to
the Interfraternity Council VICE PRESIDENT of Recruitment and to the
Greek Life Office no later than the set date.
b. Bids may be picked up at the Greek Life Office at the designated time,
pending the approval of the Vice President of Recruitment. Bids will not
be given out if the bid list has not been turned in on time.
c. Under no circumstances may bids or invitations to bid dinners be handed out
before the date and time set by the Vice President of Recruitment. Doing so will
result in a chapter fine of $200.00.
d. Bids will not be given out unless all outstanding fines and IFC bills are
paid.
e. Bid Dinners may not occur before the date set.
f. Signed bids may be turned in anytime beginning the day after the bid
dinners. They should be returned to the Greek Life Office
g. A rushee is not considered a Greek member until the Greek Life Office
has received the signed bid.
h. At any time during the academic year after the end of fall rush, a chapter
may extend a bid to a rushee. Any rushee who is extended a bid after the
formal rush period will not be considered a Greek member until their
signed bid is returned to the Greek Life Office
9) Monitoring System
The Monitoring System, will consist of a monitor from each chapter,
preferably the Vice President. If unavailable, a member of a chapter
executive board will suffice. Groups of 2-3 monitors will be responsible for
different zones on a given evening, these zones including Sunset Terrace, Pawling, 15th
Street, RAHPS, and Downtown Troy. Monitors will be allowed to enter a chapter upon
arrival, THERE WILL BE NO GRACE PERIOD AT A DOOR, and require an
appropriate member of the chapter executive board to meet them. The checklist must be
filled out and signed by the appropriate parties. If Monitors are barred from entry,
this will be considered AS AN ADMITTANCE OF GUILT, and the appropriate action
will be taken. All other rules and fines outlined in this section still hold bearing.
*In addition, a member of the Executive Board will be responsible in
 overseeing each group of monitors on their respective routes.*
a. Each house participating in rush will provide at least two rush monitors
b. The Party monitors will be combined with the Rush monitors to monitor
all public events from each chapter. The VICE PRESIDENT of Risk
Management and VICE PRESIDENT of Recruitment reserve the right to
determine number of monitors necessary for each event
c. The Vice President of Recruitment will organize a schedule of rush event
monitoring based on calendars submitted. The schedule will consist of
teams of 2-3 monitors, each from different chapters, who will visit assigned
chapters participating in rush.
d. Monitoring visits will be available on request for those chapters wishing for extra
protection. A chapter requesting additional monitoring can contact the Vice
President of Recruitment(ifc.rpi.recruit@gmail.com). After receiving a request the
Vice President of Recruitment will schedule additional random monitoring visits
to the requesting chapter within the week of receiving contact without
withdrawing resources from the general monitoring policy.
e. The monitors will fill out a checklist that must be signed by each monitor
as well as the President and Recruitment Chair (or suitable fill-in) of the
chapter. The checklist must be turned in to the Vice President of
Recruitment no later than four (4) days from the date of the event. The
checklist will detail possible rush infractions, as well as safety hazards and
other issues that should be addressed in future meetings of the IFC
Recruitment Committee
f. If a monitor is not present on the date they are assigned for all events they
are scheduled for; their affiliate chapter will be fined $50 payable to the
IFC. If one monitor is not present, the other may continue to visit other
Chapters.
g. All rush monitors will receive the same respect that is given to party
monitors, as described in the IFC Party Policy
10) Rush Infractions
a. Infractions must be:
i. Filed, in written form, by a group, not an individual
ii. Signed by the chapter President, if a fraternity is filing
iii. Based on the currently approved Interfraternity Council
Recruitment Policy
iv. Submitted to the IFC Council Executive Vice President with a
copy given to the accused
v. Filed within forty-eight (48) hours of the infraction(s) being
observed
b. Any infraction that occurs over the summer will be handled within two
weeks of the start of classes.
c. The following procedure will be used to handle infractions
i. The IFC Vice President of Recruitment will call a meeting
within one (1) week of the date of infraction to review the case. At this
meeting, representatives of all the groups involved will come before the IFC
Executive Board to defend their position in the alleged rush infraction. A
 member of the Executive Board may not participate in voting if their chapter
is involved in any manner.
ii. If the executive board deems that a judicial action is necessary, the
accused will be subject to judicial hearing as dictated by the by laws at the
recommendation of the IFC Rush Vice President. The IFC
President shall then notify advisors of the group involved
11) Penalties for Rush Infractions
Any infraction of the above policy without a listed penalty is subject to any of the below
penalties with a violation of dry rush carrying a minimum of a minor infraction.
a. Petty Infraction
i. Chapter fine up to $200 at the discretion of the Vice President of Recruitment
b. Minor Infraction
i. Fined $200.00, plus $20.00 for each member of the chapter as registered with
the Greek Life Office, payable to IFC
ii. Placed on four (4) weeks social probation, as defined by the IFC by-laws
c. Major Infraction
i. Loss of rush privileges for up to one (1) full year
ii. Minimum of one semester suspension if found to be providing alcohol to
individuals under 21 years of age.