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University of Maryland, College Park
25,000 undergrads
slightly competitive
10% Greek
14 NPC chapters
Spring FMR
Total=95
FMR Quota=low 20s
Every chapter participates in informal recruitment (fall NM classes are in the low teens)

My senior year (last year), I was a Rho Gamma and on the Extension Exploration Committee. So, while I was not a member of the "Panhellenic Recruitment Team," I have learned about Maryland's recruitment and how other schools attract PNMs to sign up for recruitment.

Last year, our feeble attempt at PR involved passing out fliers at the dining halls. We did it a couple times a week from late October to early December. It was a sham. I think that method relied too much on the PNMs coming to us (i.e. sign up for Panhellenic recruitment on this website!) rather than us going to them and winning over more "maybe joiners".

In doing some research for the EEC, I met with a lady who has been working with Maryland Greek Life in some capacity since 1970. She is really passionate about Greek Life and we got into a conversation about how we can more attract PNMs, and she had some really valuable insight.

Most supporters of a fall formal recruitment will say, the longer recruitment is deferred, fewer women will sign up for recruitment. This is probably because students get into a routine, join clubs or SGA right away, and then they don't want to or can't commit their time to a GLO. Combine that with the fact that Greek Life certainly doesn't dominate the social scene, so there is little pressure to go Greek as the "thing" to do.

I view Virginia Tech as similar (Greek-wise, they have spring FMR, similar school and number of chapters) to my alma mater, but a bit stronger. They do three things that they do that have worked well for them:

1. They send out a gorgeous glossy color booklet about Greek Life, all councils and chapters. It's pretty big, at least 60 pages. I was in awe when I saw it.
2. They open registration for Spring FMR shortly after fall semester begins.
3. All registered women are placed on the Panhellenic listserv. Whenever a chapter has an event that is open to the whole community, (i.e. a philanthropy event, various programs, etc.) the chapter notifies Panhellenic, and the event is advertised on the listserv to all PNMs.

This listserv:
*Encourages PNMs and actives to get to know each other in an authentic manner.
*Shows the community what Greeks have to be proud of, the stuff that isn't dramaful enough to make the papers.
*Spreads the word to friends of registered women, who might decide to register themselves.
*Attracts quality women interested in more than just the social aspect of Greek Life.