What is the Igel?

What is the Igel?

The Igel, founded in 1871, is a fraternity, or „Verbindung,“ at the University of Tübingen.

First and foremost the Igel is a society based on friendship. The fundamental mission of this society is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the „Aktivitas“ and the „Alte Herren.“ The Igel does not partake in academic fencing and does not wear a coloured band.

During the duration of their studies, members are a part of the „Aktivitas.“ This presents not only an opportunity for them to take part in various leisurely activities and daily life at the fraternity house, including group lunches and dinners, enjoying a beer with friends, playing a game of billiards, and much more, but also the chance to get to know Tübingen in a way many people do not get the chance to. The Igel has its own „Stocherkahn,“ or punt, and also organises a plethora of events throughout the semester. These events provide members and guests alike educational and enriching conversations with „Alte Herren,“ graduates and professionals in diverse fields.

Once members of the Igel complete their studies, they are known as „Alte Herren.“ The monetary contributions provided by the „Alte Herren“ finance the fraternity house as well as the various benefits that the „Aktivitas“ enjoys. The „Alte Herren“ also continue to take part in everything that fraternity life has to offer.

In addition to the many benefits that the Igel provides, including living at the fraternity house, lunches and dinners, events, etc., there are also certain responsibilities and duties delegated to the members.

The „Charge“ are responsible for organising the semester plan for the fraternity. They „Charge“ are democratically elected every semester and are made up of the „Senior,“ the „Consenior“ and the „Fuxmajor.“

The „Senior“ is the fraternity‘s external representative and runs the events during the semester. The „Consenior“ is the „Senior‘s“ deputy and is in charge of organising the semester program and coordinating the „Warte.“ The „Fuxmajor“ is in charge of the „Fuxe,“ or new pledges, as well as the contact person for guests. His responsibilities also include teaching the new „Fuxe“ the history of the Igel.

In order to support the „Charge,“ the younger members of the Igel are assigned „Wartposten.“ The „Wartposten“ are designed to equally sharing the work that needs to be done around the fraternity house. For example, the „Kneipwart“ is responsible for ordering drinks for the house and the „Hauswart“ makes sure that small repairs around the house are taken care of.