Mizzou "Panhellenic recruitment rules restore integrity"

[STL Kappa]

I thought this was a positive article about recruitment and the movement towards "no frills" nationally. I know it's specifically about Mizzou, but I think anyone who's participated in panhellenic recruitment can relate. (I also think it's awesome that they're trying to get non-Greeks to recognize the positive aspects!) One of my recruitment counselors from when I went through, Megan Madden, wrote it since she is now the vice president of recruitment for panhel! Just thought I'd share!

Panhellenic recruitment rules restore integrity
By Megan Madden and Margy Fischer, Panhellenic Council. Posted April 26, 2005.

As a passerby of Panhellenic recruitment, it’s easy to see women walking out of their chapter houses in matching outfits and smiles on their faces and think that this formality is superficial. But like most stereotypes, if you look deeper, you’ll see the real process of Panhellenic Association recruitment. There is a reason why more than 1,000 women sign up to participate in PHA recruitment. It is a process in which women can become part of a chapter with a greater purpose. It is a process that enables a woman to be a part of something not just for a few years, but for life. Eliminating some of the frivolous aspects of recruitment strengthens our process by helping potential members feel welcome in our community. It also encourages participating women to focus on sisterhood and core values during recruitment, rather than decorations and outfits.

On the first day, every potential member visits every chapter. From there, the number of socials a woman can attend decreases. But not all potential members are asked to return to the maximum number of chapters on a social day. This should not discourage a potential recruit, because it means she can focus on a chapter that could be right for her, rather than revisit a chapter that does not fit her.

During this week, chapters showcase their activities related to the standards of leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and sisterhood. Excessive decorations are unnecessary for a chapter to communicate their individuality in our community.

Decorations, mass-ordered clothing and personalization only serve as distractions from the four principles of our community that chapters should display to women coming through recruitment.

Recruitment is not a spectacle. It is a tool for incoming freshmen women to find the chapter that is right for them. Greek women have integrity. Greek women are intelligent, and as a community, they maintain a higher grade-point average than non-Greek women.

We should protect the integrity of our recruitment process. Eliminating the hours of work required for decorations and other frills creates a less intimidating environment for the potential members.

“No frills” is a nationally promoted movement from the National Panhellenic Conference. We are fortunate to have chapters supporting the gradual changes PHA executive council is introducing.

Panhellenic Council is the governing body for MU’s 13 sororities.