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1.) For those of you that attend(ed) schools that have formal recruitment after the start of the school year, how do rounds conflict with class schedules? I know that during COB this semester, many PNMs could not attend one or two of our events because they had night classes. Are some rounds on the weekend? Are there two nights of some rounds so that everyone is able to attend? Please explain.

My school held formal recruitment before school started.

2.) How does this work in Panhellenic? Are there additional positions or a committee to handle the recruitment process?

Yes. We had a Recruitment VP, as well as a Recruitment Team dedicated to Panhellenic Recruitment. They included a logistics team to run computer stuff, the Recruitment Counselors (who are headed by a lead counselor), marketing and communications staff, and the Greek Adviser.


3.) How do students sign up? Obviously for freshmen who can participate in recruitment before the start of school, there must be something that is sent home to them. But when formal takes place in the spring, how does this work? Is there a general sign-up somewhere, like at a specific place in the student union (I know that we do this on my campus for certain activities)? Is it online? Do members of each sorority have individual sign-up sheets that they submit to Panhellenic?

We did mailings to freshmen, as well as emails. At orientation, the recruitment counselors made a presentation about Greek Life and explained recruitment and how to register.

There is a dedicated web site and online sign up. There is a fee. That fee offsets costs for the computer program, rentals, a recruitment t-shirt for the PNM, etc.

No the sororities don't do individual recruitment sign-ups for PNMs. This is all handled through Panhellenic for formal recruitment. Any PNM with sorority friends should be advised by the sorority members to contact Panhellenic.

4.) What are your rounds like? Are some of them just basic discussions among actives and PNMs? I know that Preference Parties are ceremonies that aren’t ritual, but they still seem like they are kind of “secret”. But… is there anything that anyone can tell me about these parties? Any activities or things that are discussed?

On the first day, PNM's attend parties at all the sororities, and attend progressively fewer events each day (for longer periods). The women are greeted with a short song and paired up with a sorority member on each day.

On Day 1, the theme was based on School Spirit. Most conversations revolved around why you should go Greek (not necessarily Go ABC), and examples of that sorority's involvement on campus. Conversation usually diverts to basic getting to know you questions and conversation, but it's typical to have photos and displays related to campus involvement, sisterhood, football games, homecoming, Greek Week, campus traditions, campus organizations, pointing out campus and community leaders in the chapter (including athletes, student government officers, pageant winners), etc.

On Day 2, the theme was based around each organization's philanthropy. This day usually involves a simple craft project that will benefit the philanthropy, showing a video about the philanthropy, and showing scrapbooks, trophies, etc., showing how the sorority is involved in community service and philanthropy activities (Anchor Splash, Watermelon Bust, etc.)

On Day 3, the sororities show a video that is basically a video yearbook type of presentation. It shows their activities and sisterhood-- testimonials from sisters, etc. Some schools do a skit on this day to demonstrate the same and also show some type of slideshow.

At some point on one of the three days, the sorority will conduct house tours.

At Prefs, each sorority does something different. You should discuss prefs with your regional alumnae Recruitment director. She will have lots of recommendations on the best prefs for your chapter.

5.) How are Rho Chis (or whatever your school happens to call them) chosen? Is it an application process? Who decides who they are?

The Panhellenic Exec Board and Panhellenic Recruitment Board advertise for Recruitment Counselors in the spring before fall recruitment. Prospects fill out an application and are interviewed. They must be in good standing with their sorority and the university to be eligible. I believe we also had to have participated in at least one recruitment as a sister on "the other side" previously.

6.) Rho Chis and attending rounds… how does this whole method work?

It's pretty simple. The Recruitment Counselors meet with their groups each day in the same spot to hand out invites and explain the day's process. This usually takes place in a classroom. Then everyone breaks and later walks to Greek Park for the start of the parties. The Recruitment Counselor has a "home base" on greek park that she will meet her group at every day following the classroom meeting-- usually outside one of the sorority houses. Since our recruitment is in Aug, each sorority rents a tent, chairs and fans for the PNMs. The recruitment counselors usually hang out by the tents at each house and are spread out so there are always counselors at each tent at each sorority. Walkie Talkies help a lot here!

On Day 1, when everyone goes to the same schedule of parties, your Recruitment Counselor escorts your group to each house. After the first day, the PNM's pretty much know "the lay of the land." Therefore, for remaining rounds of recruitment, you meet your counselor in the appointed place just before parties on Greek Park-- at my school, each counselor had a home base in front of a house that her girls could always run back to if they needed her. Otherwise, there were 1-4 counselors outside each house that any PNM could rely on if she had a question, wasn't sure where XYZ house was, etc.