TEXAS – Rush week is a longstanding tradition at most universities, but as with many thing this year, the tradition it taking a new form because of the coronavirus.

LatinX Community Affairs (LCA) hosts Adelante, an event that gives students a chance to meet organizations at the University of Texas at Austin. Moises Olmos’ fraternity, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., participates and invites students interested in joining his organization as a part of rush week.

It’s usually a more laid back event where students can eat food and mingle, but the pandemic has canceled that option like most things on campus.

“We’re a Latino-based fraternity that stands firmly on scholarship, community service, cultural awareness, and brotherhood,” Olmos said looking into the camera of his laptop while students and organizations look on during a video conference.

Organizations on college campuses are being forced to adapt to the changes that come with the coronavirus as they return to class this semester.

Greek life is especially under the microscope after video of students at an off-campus gathering was shared on social media on August 24, prompting a response from UT:

“We expect all UT students and community members to follow social distancing protocols, wear masks as required and recognize their deep responsibility in protecting the health of the campus and the greater Austin community.

The students who were in the photo on social media put themselves and others at risk and should get tested through the university’s Proactive Community Testing program. We are reaching out to the advisors and national offices of the groups whose members were at the gathering to reinforce our expectations and will continue to look to the City of Austin to enforce its orders on public gatherings.”

Olmos says his fraternity signed a contract stating they would only hold in-person events if they could follow CDC guidelines. Participants have to wear masks and no more than 10 people can gather.

“With the pandemic, everything becomes much more difficult, much more challenging,” Olmos said.

He says it’s nearly impossible to organize in-person events under the recommended guidelines, though.

Still, the Betas are moving forward with recruiting virtually saying the benefits of joining the brotherhood will outweigh the inconveniences needed to keep students safe during the pandemic.

“It put me in positions to be a leader, to grow professionally, grow academically and even grow relationships,” Olmos said, speaking of his time as a member of the fraternity.

Unnamed members of the Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity performing in a sketch, pre-coronavirus. (Courtesy: Moises Olmos)

Olmos is a junior majoring in civil engineering and joined Sigma Lambda Beta in the spring semester of 2019.

The 20-year-old is from Houston and says students like him may start college feeling lonely or lacking identity, a situation only made worse by the pandemic.

A normal rush week would include a week full of in-person activities like “Sports Night with the Bros” or study nights so interested students can get to know the brothers of the fraternity and whether it’s a good fit for them.

Olmos says when his fraternity held its first virtual event during rush week, four students joined but during the event with LCA, no interests showed up.

It’s a setback but Olmos and his brothers are committed to their cause.

“We decided not to stop because we wanted to give that opportunity to these young people, young men that are looking for that community. Looking for that brotherhood,” Olmos said.