Recruitment Chairman
Contact our main recruitment chairs, Owen Polivka or Brody Vierow. Feel free to reach out to Owen or Brody to start the recruitment process, give referrals for potential new members, or get an update from the recruitment team!
Recruitment Chairman
Owen Polivka (2028)
(630) 432-3853
owendp18@icloud.com
Recruitment Chairman
Brody Vierow (2029)
(612) 804-7900
brody.vierow@gmail.com
Join FIJI
Over the last century, the Alpha Iota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has grown in many ways. We pride ourselves on accepting and molding good students into excellent Fiji gentlemen. We look for many qualities in potential Phi Gams, including a hard work ethic, academic achievement, community involvement, social capabilities, and the drive to succeed in higher education.
Our goal is to best prepare young men for the challenges that the real world presents. We do this by displaying and encouraging the importance of receiving top-tier grades, getting involved on campus, and being a leader in all aspects of collegiate life. This creates well-rounded individuals with an accelerated view of life outside of college.
As one of the longest continual running chapters on the Iowa State campus, we're confident in the brotherhood that we have, and the success it creates for our members. This is shown through the numerous leadership positions that Phi Gams consistently fill on campus. A few examples of Fijis in leadership roles include Interfraternity Council officers, President of Engineers Without Borders, Dance Marathon executives, many Club Soccer Team executives, and 3 Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity presidents in the last few years.
Make sure to read the About Us page for information about our chapter, our history and to see photos of our house.
How Does Recruitment Work?
The Alpha Iota Chapter of FIJI is a member of the Iowa State Interfraternity Council (IFC), a council of many social fraternities at ISU. The Iowa State IFC participates in a recruitment method known as "year long, informal recruitment." This means that there is not a traditional Rush Week, but a process that occurs on a personal basis at any time. At FIJI most recruiting is done throughout the summer to begin in the Fall, although some new members choose to begin in the Spring. This process is used to allow extra time for potential new members and individual chapters to get to know each other and seriously consider their choices.
To begin with the recruitment process you must get in touch with one of the FIJI recruitment officers. The officers may contact you based on referrals and other resources, you can call a recruitment officer, drop by the house or get in touch with any FIJIs that you may know already! Taking initiative and making the first move shows a genuine interest and will help your recruitment efforts. Once you touch base with a recruitment officer, he will schedule a time for you to meet each other or you may possibly be invited to attend a recruitment event with many other potential new members. The year long, informal recruitment process incorporates mutual decision making, meaning that the potential new member and the chapter must both choose to move forward. Once a relationship has been established and a potential new member is carefully considered the chapter may choose to offer him a "bid" to join. This is a formal invitation to join the Fraternity and once signed finalizes the recruitment process.
As of 2017 the Iowa State IFC has also introduced another method of recruitment known as the Interfraternity Council Recruitment Weekend. This event is open to all Iowa State students who are interested in joining a fraternity and gives students the chance to meet with representatives from different chapters. This event is held in the fall at the beginning of the school year and is a great way to meet some current members and talk to our recruitment chairman.
Housing and Meals
FIJI is located at 325 Ash Ave., Ames, IA 50014. While our chapter generally consists of 85–100 members, our house accommodates 46 people. This means that while many members live in the facility, others choose to live in residence halls, apartments, or homes nearby. Members typically live in the house for five or six semesters, depending on capacity, credits, and other factors. Because Iowa State’s fraternities use a year-long, informal recruitment process, new members have the option to live in the chapter house during their first year. Additionally, our large parking lot allows us to offer parking spots to most in-house members. As of Fall 2026, we will be moving into a fully renovated facility! More information can be found on the "Legacy 325 Campaign – The Plan" page.
Monday nights are reserved for formal dinners, where members dress in suits and ties to share a meal as brothers. Our house mother, Mom Jo, frequently invites guests to these dinners, including University President Stephen Leath and his wife Janet, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, and ISU Dean of Students Dr. Pam Anthony. Our private chef, Shawn, prepares meals for the chapter, including small breakfast items, lunch (Monday–Friday), and dinner (Monday–Thursday), along with access to a 24-hour snack room. Each meal is served alongside a salad bar. We also offer "late-plates" for those unable to make it back for a scheduled meal. For in-house members, a full meal plan is included in the semester costs. This meal plan (144 meals) is typically around $1,360, which is significantly more affordable than university alternatives.
Cost
Total In-House Projected Costs (with a 100% meal plan)
Common Terms
Alcohol Free Recruitment - A process ISU follows in which members and potential new members may not consume alcohol throughout the recruitment process.
Bid / Bid Card - A formal invitation to join the fraternity. Once signed the recruitment process is completed.
Cabinet - Our executive board including the President, Treasurer (VP), Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Historian.
Chapter - A branch of the international fraternity at one university.
Cold Airs - The room in which all in-house members sleep. Used to seperate study rooms and roommates from sleep.
Graduate Brother - A member of Phi Gamma Delta that has graduated from college (alumnus).
In-House - Members living in the chapter facility.
Informal Recruitment - A recruitment process that can occur over any period of time.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The governing body for social fraternities at ISU.
Office of Greek Affairs - The University Office for Fraternities and Sororities.
Out-of-House - Members not living in the chapter facility.
Study Rooms - The rooms in whcih all in-house members keep their belongings, desk, TV, etc.