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Original Contributor: Jeff Harris
Title: “Tubbings” at Sigma Chi Fraternity
Class: F101
Semester, Year: Spring, 1984
Contributor: Lindsey B
Tubbing is a way for the seniors in the house to keep the underclassmen under control. It is also a way for the seniors to gain respect that they deserve. To tub someone, the person to be tubbed must be present, the seniors call out his name and the pledges try to catch him. The pledges then take him over to the Jordan River, where the individual is to get into the river and do three push-ups. If by chance, the pledges can’t catch this fleeing person, each member of the pledge class is to do the push-ups in the river. The brothers chant “Brother Oldman.”
Context: “Tubbing” is a ritual explicit to Sigma Chi fraternity. The story is told by Jeff Harris on April 13, 1984. The context for this tale involves the Greek Community at IU as well as the Bloomington community in its entirety.