Becoming a Beta
Membership in Beta Theta Pi is based around finding men who
believe and live by the same set of fraternal values. These
values, the Fraternity's objects, are the basis for
recruitment, pledging and a lifelong membership in Beta
Theta Pi.
Formal recruitment is a two week period at the beginning of
each semester hosted by the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). Most
fraternities will host events and provide the opportunity to meet
members and learn about the organization's values. Beta Theta Pi isn't for everyone. The
Fraternity seeks to extend membership to a select few
individuals who maintain a lifelong devotion to intellectual
excellence, high standards of moral conduct and responsible
citizenship. By joining Beta Theta Pi, you commit yourself
to a high standard that all members are expected to meet.
Through these standards of excellence,
Beta Theta Pi is dedicated to building Men of Principle for a
principled life through . . .
Lifelong Friendship
— Bonded by oath and ritual, Betas form lifelong bonds of trust and
friendship which are the foundation of the Fraternity’s mission.
Cultivation of the Intellect — Beta membership encourages
individual and chapter support of the academic mission and provides
opportunities for co-curricular learning and personal growth.
Responsible Leadership — Betas participate in a system of
self-governance, bound by trust and responsibility, which nurtures
the development of social and leadership skills.
Responsible Social Conduct — Beta Theta Pi is committed to
standards of social conduct which are guided by principles of
urbane, civil, courteous and responsible deportment.
Commitment to Community — The experience of being a Beta
encourages men to serve their university, fraternal and local
communities. |
Rush is
a series of formal events that gives prospective
fraternity men the opportunity to meet, socialize, and
learn about individual fraternities. Rush activities
emphasize various aspects of brotherhood and are an
incredible educational experience. A prospective
fraternity man’s decision to rush by no means binds him
to pledge any fraternity. Every phase of rush is a
voluntary endeavor. Most importantly, rush is a chance
for a young man to meet a large number of his peers and
to gain life-long friends.
Open House
Open House
occurs on specified days during the evening hours of
7:00-10:00 PM. During this time, every IFC fraternity
welcomes all rushees. There are 28 fraternities, each
unique in its own regard. In order to value what every
fraternity offers, rushees are encouraged to visit as
many houses as possible during Open House. Rushees
should direct any questions about rush to the fraternity
men, but IFC Governing Board members will also be at
each house during Open House to answer remaining
questions.
Invites
Following
Open House, rushees are offered invitations for events
organized by the individual fraternities. These events
make up the most enjoyable parts of rush, and are based
around a mutual selection process between the rushees
and the fraternities. Just as rushees are choosing the
fraternities that best suit them, fraternities are
choosing the members that are best suited for their
brotherhood.
Generally, during the first and second invite rounds,
events are organized for larger attendance, while the
third invite round events target a smaller group,
allowing the rushees to personally spend more time with
the individual fraternity members. With the passing of
each successive round, rushees should try to return to
those fraternities where they most enjoy the company of
the surrounding brotherhood. Typically, rushees attend
second invites at fewer fraternities than first invites.
Likewise, rushees then attend third invites at fewer
fraternities than second invites. The invite rounds
allow rushees to gradually meet more brothers while also
meeting their fellow underclassmen, ultimately leading
them to the IFC fraternity that is the best fit.
Final Hours
Final
Hours occurs on the specified night from 7:00-10:00 PM.
It resembles Open House in appearance, but at this
point, the rushee will now know not only most of the
brothers of the fraternities he likes, but also many of
his fellow rushees. A rushee should attend the Final
Hours events of his remaining fraternities in reverse
order of preference— from that particular rushee’s
lowest choice fraternities in the first hour (7:00-8:00
PM), to the fraternities he is more interested in
joining in the second hour (8:00-9:00 PM), and to the
fraternities he is most interested in joining in the
final hour (9:00-10:00 PM). This is the last opportunity
for rushees to ask questions relative to that particular
fraternity and also to meet any remaining brothers
before Bid Day. At 10:00 PM, the rushees must leave the
fraternity houses. The individual fraternities then
deliberate and choose the rushees to whom they will
extend bids.
Bid Day
Bid Day
allows fraternities to deliver bids—a formal invitation
to become a member in that fraternity—to the rushee’s
dorm or residence. After receiving a bid, a rushee is
allowed to return to his residence and decide if he
wishes to join that fraternity. Accepting a bid is a
major decision, leading to great friendships and
unforgettable memories. If a rushee accepts a bid, he
typically returns to the fraternity that evening for a
social event hosted for the new members.
(Adopted from the
UVa Interfraternity Council's
Website) |
Chapter pledging programs are designed to orient new members
to Fraternity history, traditions and practices while
preparing each future brother for a lifetime of fraternal
brotherhood. The primary objective of a pledge program is to
produce informed, enthused and principled new members ready
to step into leadership roles. Beta Theta Pi has no place
for programs that create artificial probation, second-class
citizenship or hazing. Every chapter is required by Standard
Chapter Operating Expectations to submit a written pledge
program to be certified annually as 100% positive.
Initiation is a special ceremony where the deepest symbolic
meaning of the Fraternity is revealed and the full
privileges of membership are extended to new members. While
the ceremony has taken different forms, more than 180,000
members have been initiated since 1839. For all members in
Beta Theta Pi, it is the beginning of a lifetime of
friendship, learning and personal growth.
Beta Theta Pi is not just a four year experience. It is an
lifelong experience that will engender lasting bonds of
friendship and brotherhood. From undergraduate leadership
opportunities to local alumni associations and General
Conventions the lifelong bonds of Beta brotherhood are
inescapable. |
