Planning on rushing a fraternity? Here’s what you need to know

The start of the spring semester means new experiences and, for many Penn students, it marks their first foray into Greek life.

The week-long Panhellenic Primary Recruitment ends on Jan. 19 with Bid Day, when potential new members receive an official invitation or bid to join a sorority. Those who look to join an organization in the Interfraternity Council will begin open recruitment on Thursday.

The Interfraternity Council Expo marks the start of open recruitment and will be held on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Golkin Room at Houston Hall. Prospective fraternity members can meet representatives from each organization at the Expo before visiting a fraternity’s chapter house later that night or on Friday.

Any student may visit an organization’s chapter house or another designated campus location during IFC "Open House" on Thursday and Friday across three time slots.

Nine fraternities on Locust Walk will have events from 9-10:30 p.m. on Thursday and 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday. Eight fraternities on Walnut Street can be visited from 8-9:30 p.m. on Thursday and 9-10:30 p.m. on Friday. Eight fraternities on Spruce Street and Baltimore Avenue are open from 7-8:30 on Thursday and 8-9:30 p.m. on Friday.

Closed recruitment will begin on Jan. 18, and fraternity-sponsored events will be by invitation only. The fraternity rushing process ends on Jan. 27 with Bid Night, when prospective members gather in Houston’s Hall of Flags to confirm their memberships in fraternities.

While approximately 3,000 students participate in on-campus Greek life, not all students looking to join may be eligible. Students must have completed at least 4.0 course units and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Here are the details of rush events, including times, locations, and organizations hosting them: