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NEWS
| JAN. 24
Meet the Brothers
Greeks get to know potential members
during Rush Week.
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| The Shorthorn: Billy Smith II |
| Tyson Eubanks, a rushee for Phi Gamma
Delta, talks with electrical engineering junior Matt Moreno
at the Fiji house Thursday night. Moreno is a member of
the fraternity. Thursday’s meeting served as a welcome
for the Fiji rushees. |
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By Candace
Swea
Contribution to The Shorthorn
Tyson Eubanks casually walked toward the
front three pool tables at Rusty’s Billiards as if he’d
been there before. He never picked up a stick but chatted with a
relatively subdued squad of dressed-down college preps. Today, he
could be their brother.
Starting one week ago, Eubanks has lived and breathed Phi Gamma
Delta, or FIJI. Tuesday marked the start for Rush Week for Greeks
all over campus. FIJI’s active members have scrutinized the
accounting sophomore and other rush guests during a series of lunches
and events that coincide with the week.
By the time Rush Week came around, Eubanks knew which fraternity
he wanted to join. Several friends, active members of FIJI, had
already told him about the fraternity.
“I checked out some other fraternities around campus, but they
were not particularly friendly,” Eubanks said. “Last Friday
was the first time I was introduced to some members at the (FIJI)
house and was very surprised at how nice they were.”
FIJI kicked off its rush events with a lunch at J. Gilligans on
Cooper Street, and Eubanks hasn’t stopped since. Tuesday night,
the fraternity invited all rush guest to a game of pool at Rusty’s
Billiards.
“All of the events are covered by active members,” Eubanks
said. “I don’t have to pay for anything during rush week.”
Wednesday consisted of lunch at Buck ’N Loons on Cooper Street
and paint ball.
“I have so much fun hanging out with the guys and getting to
know them,” he said.
Thursday night was Pref Night. Rush guests donned their best attire
and traveled to the fraternity house for one final evaluation. The
night plays a big part in determining whether a rush gets a bid,
Eubanks said.
If FIJI chooses not to give him a bid, he said he would definitely
rush again.
“I know that this is the only fraternity I want to be a part
of,” he said.
Active member Khris Harris said the purpose of the week is to evaluate
how rush guests interact with active members. Members don’t
reveal whether they hold an officer position.
“FIJI is known for being a very secretive fraternity,”
Harris said. “It is often that secrecy that attracts many of
the rushers to us.”
Members don’t disclose specifics about the fraternity until
rush guests become pledges.
“I don’t know how many members are in the fraternity or
even who the president is,” Eubanks said .
He said members would not tell him what happens on Bid Day —
only that the fraternity does not engage in hazing.
Harris, a marketing senior, said hopefuls must show genuine interest
for the fraternity. He said FIJI looks for men with leadership qualities.
Two campus leaders, Mr. UTA Brandon Wheat and Student Body President
Chris Featherstone, are members.
“We want them to make an effort for us,” Harris said.
“The three prior ties of FIJI are scholarship, then fraternity,
then self.”
Active member Cason Woody said spring rush is smaller than fall.
“Rush Week usually last for about two weeks, but the Interfraternity
Council decided to shorten the process this spring,” the communications
sophomore said.
Rush Week is open to anyone who is willing to sign up and come to
the events.
“The rushers can come to any number of events they want to,”
Featherstone said. “They can even start coming to events in
the middle of the week.”
Eubanks said he feels that the more events he attends the better
his chances are.
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