U of Memphis NPC Switching to "No Frills" Recruitment

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The U of Memphis is going to have a "no frills" -- or at least a lot fewer frills -- recruitment this fall. They reportedly hope this will emphasize relationships, decrease costs for chapters and potential new members, and perhaps increase the number of women becoming new members. The Helmsman reports:

http://media.www.dailyhelmsman.com/m...-3912205.shtml

Excerpts:

By: Erica Horton
Posted: 4/23/10
Panhellenic Council sororities are aiming for fewer frills and more thrills in an effort to cut costs during recruitment week and make the overall process less intimidating.

Per the National Panhellenic Conference's request, Panhellenic councils nationwide are taking a more laid back approach to the rush experience, a bi-annual week for women seeking membership in a Panhellenic sorority.

During the five-day experience, female students go to a series of themed open houses where they meet members of each of The University of Memphis' seven Panhellenic sororities, narrowing their choices as the week progresses.

In years past, girls walked to sorority row, located in Carpenter Complex, dressed in cocktail attire nearly every evening where they were greeted by elaborate table decorations, large banners and films depicting a chapter's values and attributes, as well as townhouses full of smiling, multicolored women bursting to talk to new members.

Effective fall 2010, the new "No Frills" policy, encourages women to wear less formal attire, opting instead for a more economical, casual wardrobe.

Greek life and community service advisor Leslie Poe said the "No Frills" initiative will cut distractions and bring the focus of Greek recruitment on what matters most in sororities, sisterhood.

"We're putting emphasis on relationships and cutting out some of the other stuff," she said.

Poe said that while she thinks recent economic turbulence is not the primary motivation behind the "No Frills" movement, the decision could cut costs significantly.

The recruitment fee, which covers food, t-shirts, technology costs and other general supplies, will also be lowered.

"We want sorority life to be accessible, and for people to know that being in a sorority is affordable," she said.

. . . in previous years, sororities would spend $2,500 to $3,000 per chapter during recruitment for decorations and supplies. Next semester, because of "No Frills," they should only spend about $1,500.

. . . skit nights, when sorority members would put on a short musical play about their chapter, will be the first to go, replaced instead with a sisterhood night when each sorority will have the opportunity to introduce themselves.

Sororities will also no longer enter rooms singing their chants and songs.

"The most important thing is finding the sorority you're the most comfortable with, whether it's because of sisterhood or philanthropy," White said. "You will be able to see more of that with 'No Frills.' Things will be a lot more natural."

Julie Perkins, recruitment chair for The U of M Panhellenic Council, said she thinks the new effort will increase the number of interested women and help sororities focus more on the women than the process as a whole.

"We weren't very happy with our numbers," she said. "A lot of schools who have already started 'No Frills' have seen an increase in recruitment and retention."

Perkins said past recruitment weeks have yielded 185 to 200 girls, but that she would like to see it increase to between 225 to 250 women.