University of Virginia Library

IFC Changes Rushing Format;
'Open Afternoons,' Guards Added

By Gordon Peerman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

In an effort to relax the stiflingly
formal atmosphere of rush, the IFC has
initiated several changes in this year's
rushing format. Included among these is
the "open afternoon," during which
rushees may spend the interval between
lunch and dinner with the brothers on an
informal basis, perhaps seeing fraternity life as
it is.

To clarify any questions rushees may have,
members of the IFC will be in the following
lounges this Sunday from 6 to 8:30 in the
evening: Page, Echols, Kent, Hancock,
Bonnycastle, Lefevre, and Webb.

Rush this year will last from September 29
to November 8. Except for the open
afternoons, rush will consist of smokers, meals,
parties, and football games. Rush will officially
begin with dorm visits Tuesday night, when
fraternity members will issue invitations to a
smoker for Friday, October 2.

The IFC wishes to stress that girls may rush
and join houses whose rules permit them to do
so. Several houses have already made provisions
for female members, and others may begin a
meal ticket and social membership plan.

Rushees should be reminded that for the
first two weeks of rush, all functions are open.
In other words, the rushee need not have an
invitation to attend the initial smokers. All
rushees are welcome at any house, invitation or
not.

Work is being done to establish a security
guard system for big weekends in the fraternity
area. After the unfortunate attacks last year on
coeds and their dates, the IFC has decided to
take the initiative in providing adequate
protection for the area's weekend revelers.

Rushees should be warned at the outset that
illegal contact, for example any prearranged
meetings between a rushee and a member, going
down the road, and the like, constitutes a
rushing violation. If found guilty of such a
violation, the rushee may not be permitted to
continue rush until the following year.

This year it will begin on September 29 with
the customary dormitory visits and come to a
conclusion November 8 Bid Sunday. Between
these two dates rushees will attend fraternity
parties, meals, and smokers.

Rush was significant last year for several
reasons. It was the first time in the University's
history that black students were pledged.

An added feature to fraternity life this year
will be the new initiation procedure. For the
first time pledges with a 2.00 average first
semester may be initiated after spring vacation.
Previously, pledges had to have a cumulative
average of 2.00 for a minimum of two
semesters. In previous years this meant pledges
could not be initiated until they came back in
September.

This is not to say that fraternities are
obligated in any way to initiate their pledge
class at this earlier time.