Phi Beta Epsilon - Pledging

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Pledging at PBE

How does pledging at Phi Beta Epsilon work?

Phi Beta Epsilon was founded as a local Fraternity for the purpose of creating and maintaining amongst Technology Men, a better and stronger interest in literary, scientific, and social pursuits.

The 2007 Rush at Phi Beta Epsilon starts Saturday, September 1, 2007. The purpose of Rush for Phi Beta Epsilon is to recruit Pledges that will one day carry on the Fraternity's founding purpose as Brothers of Phi Beta Epsilon. During Rush, the Brothers of Phi Beta Epsilon will host over forty events aimed to help the Brothers meet and get to know freshmen and vice versa. Also during Rush, the Brotherhood will consider which freshmen may fit in well at Phi Beta Epsilon as a Brother.

The '09s on a pledge event

On Friday, September 7, 2007, the Brotherhood will offer Bids to select freshmen. A Bid is an invitation by the Brotherhood to the recipient to Pledge Phi Beta Epsilon. Once a freshman accepts the Bid by saying to a Brother, "I Pledge," he becomes a Pledge at Phi Beta Epsilon. Freshmen that Pledge Phi Beta Epsilon cannot Pledge any other Fraternity. After a period of time, the Brotherhood will close all outstanding Bids. This officially begins the Pledge Process.

Unlike the images of fraternities that you will see in "Animal House," we do not haze, humiliate, or otherwise degrade our pledges. However, becoming a brother of Phi Beta Epsilon is a very serious matter, so our pledge program is not to be taken lightly. The Pledge Process is a unique, rewarding, and memorable period that every Brother at Phi Beta Epsilon has gone through. The purpose of the Pledge Process at Phi Beta Epsilon is to allow the Pledge Class to get to know each other as well as the Brotherhood. Phi Beta Epsilon prides itself as having a rich, comprehensive, and unparalleled Pledge Process.

The '08s at a formal pledge event

Reflections Of Being a Pledge at Phi Beta Epsilon

-Cyrus Charles-Weaver('07), Spring 2004

Rush was finished. After spending a week checking out different fraternities and meeting more new people than I could count, I had decided to pledge Phi Beta Epsilon.

Now, several months after I became a pledge, I look back in amazement and wonder how the time went by so quickly. Initially, the house seemed so large. I remember how I could only remember the names of a few brothers (if I was lucky). Now, I feel that Phi Beta Epsilon is my home. Whether I needed to relax after finishing a problem set, or wanted to hang out and grab some food in Boston, there was always a group of brothers around to chill with.

Another great aspect of being a pledge at Phi Beta is my pledge class. Although I did not initially know anyone in my pledge class, Phi Beta Epsilon's pledge program quickly had us bonding and working together. Now, I am closer to my pledge brothers than ever and am looking forward to becoming brothers with all of them.

The pledge program has been an awesome experience. While I cannot disclose the specific details of pledge training and its traditions, I can say that through the pledge program, I have matured as a person, gained valuable self-knowledge, and had fun and many good times along the way. As a MIT student, academics are my first priority. The brothers of Phi Beta Epsilon, having all been pledges before, understand the hectic lifestyle of a MIT Freshman in terms of problem sets, papers, readings, and tests. Most importantly, the time commitment needed for pledge training has not hindered my schoolwork.

Phi Beta Epsilon has made my freshman year an incredible and unforgettable experience thus far. I am looking forward to becoming a brother and moving into the fraternity house during sophomore year.