Recruitment week begins Sunday, August 10, and concludes with Bid Day on Sunday, August 17. For many of you, this will be your first impression of Tuscaloosa and Greek life at the University of Alabama. We hope that you enjoy all that we have planned for you!
This week consists of four rounds of events that will allow you to learn more about each sorority. The events will show you what life in a sorority is like and will give you the chance to meet the sorority women in each house and ask any questions you might have about activities, financial obligations, scholarship, new member programs, and campus life in general. It is so important to keep an open mind during this process and carefully decide where YOU feel YOU fit in to the Greek system at UA.
Please recognize that Formal Recruitment is a mutual selection process. All PNMs (potential new members) will visit every sorority during the first round (Open Houses), but the remaining rounds are by invitation only. As the sororities are narrowing down the number of women attending each round of events, PNMs may only accept a certain number of invitations to each round. The Panhellenic Executive Council and Recruitment Counselors will explain this process in detail to PNMs throughout the week. Each PNM will be assigned recruitment counselors who will be available during the entire process to answer questions. These women are here to help you in any way you might need them.
Participation in Formal Recruitment DOES NOT guarantee an invitation to join a sorority nor does it obligate a woman to join. However, over 75 percent of the women participating in Formal Recruitment each year join a sorority at the end of the week.
Throughout the week, remember to be comfortable! Remember, it will be VERY hot. Temperature during last year’s recruitment reached 107 degrees. Be confident! It’s about who you are, not what you wear, so make sure your personality shines through no matter how you dress. Have fun and relax! Recruitment week is a fun way to make new friends and new memories. ENJOY IT!!
During the first two days, you will get to visit all sororities participating in formal recruitment with your recruitment group. Each party is only 20 minutes long, so the sororities will present themselves as simply as possible and serve ice water for you to drink. You will be greeted at each house by energetic songs and clapping. Some houses may choose to introduce you to many members, while in others, you may meet just a few. Feel free to ask questions and tell them a little bit about yourself as well. Often times, it is very hard to judge a sorority in only 20 minutes. Don’t worry though, you have a whole week ahead of you!
Tip: Drink the water, because it is very hot in Alabama during August!
Day three and four will consist of hands-on creative projects that you and the sorority women will make for donations to various charities. This is a glimpse of the importance of community service in Greek life. On these two days, you will have 30 minutes in each house. Philanthropy Day is very laid back and lots of fun!
Tip: Wear shorts that you will be comfortable sitting in, because in some houses you may be sitting on the floor.
On skit day, you get to see the true personality of each sorority. You will attend up to seven 45 minute parties. The parties this day are informative and allow you more time for conversations with the sorority women. You will be able to recognize the individuality and spirit of each sorority, as well as experience the special bond of sisterhood among the members.
Tip: This day is when you learn what each chapter is involved in on campus, so think hard about what you would like to be involved in and whether this chapter is already involved in this area.
On this day, you will attend up to three 50 minute parties. This is the night to focus on your feelings toward the sorority. An invitation to a preference party means the sorority is very interested in you becoming a member. After a ceremony, you will have the chance to talk privately with a member. During this time, she may share with you how the chapter made their decision, what her sorority means to her, and the ideals of sisterhood. After the last party, you will walk silently to fill out your preference agreement.
Tip: Look around the room at your parties; many of these girls could be your pledge sisters!
Bid Day is the most exciting day of recruitment because this is the day you find your new home and meet your sisters! Every PNM receiving a bid will gather in Bryant-Denny Stadium with their Sigma Rho Chi group. After revealing the sorority membership of your Recruitment Counselors, everyone will open their bid cards together. After finding out which sorority extended you a bid, you will meet your new pledge class to run to your sorority house, where all its members are waiting for you to join them! Bid Day begins your new member experience within your sorority.
