Many college fraternities are established with academic criteria for membership. People who wish to join typically participate in activities which take place over the course of a week at the start of a semester. Since most colleges with a fraternity system have multiple fraternities, these events usually take place during the same week at all fraternities, allowing people to explore all their options. This period is known as “rush week.”
After rush week, current members of the fraternity decide which members should be voted in. Traditionally, new pledges participate in an initiation ceremony which has historically been accompanied by hazing challenges. Due to concerns about the risks of hazing challenges which involve dangerous activities and drinking, many colleges have explicitly banned hazing in the interest of student safety. Some colleges have also cracked down on fraternity parties in response to complaints from other students and the surrounding community.