Panhellenic Recruitment

The health, wellness and safety of potential new members are our top priorities when planning recruitment each year. There are several key pieces of information meant to ensure that all potential new members have a positive recruitment experience.

Potential new member bill of rights

• The right to be treated as an individual.
• The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process.
• The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members.
• The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.
• The right to ask how and why and to receive straight answers.
• The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors.
• The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors.
• The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others.
• The right to be fully informed about the NPC unanimous agreements implicit in the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) signing process.
• The right to make one’s own choices and decisions and to accept full responsibility for the results of that decision.
• The right to have a positive, safe and enriching recruitment and new member experience.

Individuals who have concerns about the recruitment process are encouraged to contact mdixon@uccs.edu

Potential new member expectations

The Panhellenic Council has a mandatory attendance policy. This means that a potential new member is required to attend all chapter events on their schedule. PNMs may NOT pick and choose the chapters they wish to attend on their schedule. If a PNM chooses not to attend a scheduled event and does not have an excused absence, she will be immediately removed from the recruitment process. Excused absences are limited to academic conflicts, athletic conflicts, illness or a family emergency. Conflicts beyond the three mentioned will not be accepted. 

Panhellenic recruitment is an alcohol- and substance-free process. Potential new members found under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances during recruitment will be dismissed from the process.

All potential new members will understand and abide by the potential new member code of ethics.

We strive to foster a safe and healthy environment for both active and potential new members. Engaging in disrespectful behavior can result in dismissal from the process.

Recruitment rules potential new members should know

• Sorority members are not allowed to take potential new members to any events prior to Bid Day (e.g. fraternity parties, church events, private parties).
• Once recruitment has started, members should not be contacting you via social media, text messaging or face-to-face visits.
• Gifts of any type are not to be exchanged.
• Active members are not allowed to say “I can’t wait to see you back tomorrow,” “I’ll see you tomorrow,” “I want you as my little” or any other comments that promise a bid.

If this happens, notify your Rho Gamma. You will not get in trouble, but we want to hold our chapters accountable for providing you with a positive experience.

Potential new member code of ethics

“We, as undergraduate members of women’s fraternities, stand … for maintenance of fine standards ... for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.”

This is accomplished by abiding by the following agreements:

• A potential new member (PNM) shall attend recruitment orientation and all primary recruitment events for which she receives invitations.
• Respect for the primary recruitment process is expected at all times. This includes respect toward chapter members, recruitment counselors, Panhellenic officers, faculty, staff and other potential new members. PNMs should refrain from sexist, homophobic, racist or otherwise abhorrent conversations. This includes discussion about anything related to recruitment between chapter members and potential new members at all times until bid distribution on Bid Day.
• I understand my rights under the PNM Bill of Rights and if I experience discrimination I know how to report it to the College Panhellenic Council.
• Potential new members as well as sorority members must do their best to not touch or shake hands in any way. This helps prevent the spread of illness.
• Primary recruitment is a substance-free process. Women may not use or be in the presence of drugs and alcohol during the primary recruitment period. Violation of this rule will result in immediate removal from the recruitment process.
• Potential new members should be fully aware of the financial obligations of membership before accepting a bid. It is to the PNM’s advantage to ask questions during recruitment events if there are questions about finances.
• Potential new members agree to treat the chapter videos and virtual recruitment parties as confidential. Potential new members will not share any video or virtual recruitment event, including a video in its entirety, or recordings, clips, screenshots and/or quotes from video or virtual recruitment events. Potential new members understand that any breach of this agreement could result in disciplinary action.
• Potential new members understand that if they sign a membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) after preference round, they are bound to that document and the chapter that extends them a bid. This means that the PNM is ineligible for an invitation to membership from another NPC organization until the next primary recruitment on that campus.

Failure to abide by the expectations stated above will result in the review of your status as a potential new member. The first offense will result in a warning from Panhellenic recruitment staff. The second offense will result in being released from the Panhellenic recruitment process. If the first offense is determined to be severe enough by the Panhellenic recruitment staff, a potential new member could be subject to an immediate release from the Panhellenic recruitment process.

Trust the process. Sorority recruitment is designed to provide opportunities for you to get to know the chapters and for the chapters to get to know you. At times, this process can seem chaotic and you may question how decisions are made. Feel free to ask questions but remember this process is tried and tested. It works, so trust the process.

Trust yourself. There are many variables that go into making the decision to join a sorority. You will be surrounded by opinions that may be different from your own. Don’t allow others to make the decision for you. Be open. 

Stay positive. You will see that during the course of recruitment, your opinions can change drastically. Remember, it only takes one bid on bid day to join so be open and excited about the chapters that did invite you back.

Manage your time. The recruitment period can be both exciting and intense and it is important that you figure out a way to manage your time. Allow enough time for meals, homework and sleep so you can be ready for the next day.

Ask questions. Because this process only spans a few days, it is vital that you ask as many questions as possible. The Panhellenic Council and your Rho Gammas will be great resources during recruitment. It is also highly suggested that you ask questions of the chapters regarding membership expectations, financial obligations and housing requirements.

Be yourself. It is tempting at times during recruitment to alter your personality because you may feel that you need to fit in. However, it is so important to be true to yourself and let your own personality shine. We all want to get to know the real you!

Stay in the moment. We live in a world where it can be easy to connect with others through phone calls, text messages and social media. However, this can pull you away from being present and fully engaged in the process. If you choose to virtually engage with others, please do so in a positive and appropriate manner.

Make informed decisions. Making the decision to join a sorority is one that can change your life. In order to make the right decision for you, you need to pay attention and understand what it takes to be a member of an organization.

Maximize your potential. In order to maximize your chances of receiving a bid, it is highly recommended that you follow the advice of the Panhellenic Council. You must attend all scheduled parties and be willing to consider all groups as you go through the process.

Stick with it. Even though this process can be stressful at times, don’t forget to have fun and don’t give up if it gets overwhelming. Even if you choose not to join an organization, you have the amazing opportunity to meet hundreds of great women that will make our large campus a connected community.

Sleep! Naps are your best friend (but remember to set an alarm or two!)  

Write down your thoughts after each party. Keep some notes on your phone. How do you feel leaving? What did you talk about? Were you comfortable?

Make time for yourself. School always comes first. Remember to do something for yourself after each day. You can never go wrong with face masks, hot showers or a meal from the dining hall!

Focus on your own personal experience. You may be feeling differently than your friends and that is OK! This experience is 100% your own. Wanna know a secret? Every member of the Panhellenic community has best friends in chapters other than their own! Find where you feel the best.

Rho Gammas are there to help you! You can be open and honest with them, honesty is the best way they can help you. There are no dumb questions!!

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) is what potential new members agree to when they are making their selections during the last round of recruitment.

The MRABA is a binding agreement that is effective for one calendar year. By signing this document, you as a potential new member agree that you are willing to accept a bid for membership from any sorority that you rank on the MRABA.

Please note that if you receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any sorority that you ranked on your MRABA, then you are bound to that group for one calendar year. Most importantly, if you receive a bid from any sorority that you have listed on your MRABA, and you choose not to accept it, you are not eligible to participate in continuous open bidding for a full calendar year.

When do I sign the MRABA?
If you receive an invitation to the preference round, you will make your final selection at the conclusion of your last party. Here you will rank the chapter(s) you visited in preferential order. Once you complete your rankings, you will sign a copy of the MRABA. Please note that once the MRABA has been turned in to a representative of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Panhellenic, it cannot be altered or changed.

Prior to signing the MRABA, you have several options to consider. We suggest that you thoroughly reflect on these before signing your MRABA.

MRABA options
You may choose NOT to complete the MRABA, thereby withdrawing from recruitment. If you choose this option, you are eligible to accept a bid for membership from any sororities participating in continuous open bidding. It is not guaranteed that chapters will be participating in COB.

You may choose to list any sorority whose preference event you attend and from whom you are willing to accept an invitation to membership (a bid). Please note that you should NOT rank a sorority on your MRABA you are not absolutely willing to accept a bid for membership. If you match with a sorority that you listed on your MRABA, it is important to note that you are bound to that sorority for one calendar year, regardless of whether you officially accept their invitation for membership or not.

You may choose to limit your choices to just one sorority whose preference round event you attended and you are willing to accept an invitation to membership. You must understand that if you choose to single intention preference, then you are not guaranteed to receive a bid for membership. Only potential new members who maximize their options and list ALL of the chapters that they attended during the preference round are guaranteed to receive a bid for membership during primary recruitment.

Spring recruitment is a more relaxed environment through a process called continuous open bidding (COB). Not every chapter will participate in continuous open bidding. The chapters participating will host individual recruitment events usually during the same week. It’s a great way to meet chapter members in a more laid-back fashion compared to Panhellenic formal recruitment in the fall. Panhellenic will host a spring COB kickoff at the beginning of the semester. We encourage all interested members to attend spring kickoff and watch out for individual chapter’s recruitment schedule as spring semester begins.

Please note: just because a chapter is eligible for continuous open bidding (COB) does not mean that it will participate. Additionally, filling out the interest form does not guarantee that a woman will be contacted by a chapter. If you are interested in the opportunity to join one of our sororities we highly recommend participating in primary fall recruitment.