Sororities in the ASU community are in the final stages of recruiting new members to join their ranks.
ASU Greek life began the year's activities with tabling, outreach and group dance TikToks. Now, curious freshmen and those new to Greek life hope to find a home in one of over a dozen sororities.
In 2022, more than 5,500 undergraduate students, or 6% of the student population, were members of Greek life. ASU currently hosts 65 fraternities and sororities on its campus, with over 25 of them being culturally-based groups.
The annual Greek Leadership Village block party, which occurred Aug. 20, continued its tradition of introducing freshmen and other students interested in Greek life to ASU's chapters.
Now, recruitment season has commenced, and formal rounds are in full swing.
There are two different ways to join a Panhellenic sorority: formal recruitment— the most common method— and continuous open bidding. Continuous open bidding is a more relaxed recruitment process offered by some sororities after primary recruitment.
Formal recruitment is the process in which Panhellenic sorority members are able to meet with potential new members (PNMs) directly at the Greek Leadership Village. Attendance is required at all events in order to be considered for membership.
Rounds one and two of formal recruitment began this weekend and will feature open house and philanthropy rounds. The initial two rounds will take place Aug. 24-25 and Aug. 26-27.
Open house is an online round where PNMs can watch informational videos made by each Panhellenic sorority. These will be followed by in-person philanthropy rounds, where PNMs will be able to speak to members from up to 10 Panhellenic sororities.
Weekend two, Sept. 1-4, will have sisterhood and preference rounds, concluding with bid day. If selected, PNMs will receive a bid on the morning of bid day and will "run home" to their chapter’s members.
Bid day is an especially exciting event, where all PNMs open letters, or bids, and then "run home" to their bid day buddy, waiting to greet them at their new Panhellenic home.
The dues for Panhellenic sororities at ASU range from $320 to $1,343 for new members, depending on chapter. The dues drop slightly for active members.
A comprehensive guide to fall 2023 sorority recruitment can be found here, courtesy of the ASU Panhellenic Council. The booklet answers frequently asked questions and features more detailed descriptions of the formal recruitment process.
The State Press compiled a list of helpful tips for prospective sorority members during the first of two recruitment weekends:
Dress to impress
Each round of recruitment has a different suggested dress code, some call for a required T-shirt while others require semi-formal attire. Helpful outfit inspiration can be found on Pinterest and TikTok. Be sure to check the recruitment guide for more information.
Beat the heat
The next two weekends in Tempe will have temperatures in the 100s, those who are going through will need to stay hydrated while visiting multiple different houses.
Often, PNMs will have to wait outside before entering a sorority's house for a round. Basic necessities such as water and deodorant will be provided by Panhellenic. If you are wondering what to pack for your "recruitment bag," some recommended items include: an extra pair of shoes for comfort, water, electrolyte packets, snacks, deodorant and perfume.
Be willing to network
Student and alumni networking is one of the biggest reasons prospective sorority members decide to go through recruitment. Be sure to make meaningful connections and get acquainted with those around you, both active sorority members and those in your Rho Gamma group alike.
Research sororities
Each sorority has a different mission, tradition and culture. Each group also has a philanthropy, which is a specific organization or cause that they raise money and awareness for over the year. Make sure to do your research and find sororities that interest you and with philanthropies that resonate with you.
Keep an open mind
Take a deep breath and trust the process. Keep an open mind when visiting each sorority and speaking to each organization's members. Make sure to have more than one preference and be familiar with different chapters. When in doubt, your Rho Gammas are always available for unbiased and helpful advice.
Grace Copperthite contributed to this reporting.
Edited by Sadie Buggle and Shane Brennan.
Reach the reporter at mtvega1@asu.edu and gwgartin@asu.edu and follow @madivega18 and @greygartin on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter
