Panhellenic recruitment is the process where women who are interested in joining one of our 8 social sororities on campus explore their options. There are two types of recruitment: formal and continuous open bidding (COB). Formal recruitment takes place in January prior to the start of classes. COB occurs after the conclusion of formal recruitment and takes place year-round. Both options are a great way of learning about the organizations, however the majority of women go through formal recruitment.
What is Formal Sorority Recruitment?
Formal Sorority Recruitment is an opportunity for all second semester freshmen, upperclassmen, and transfer students to explore membership in the Panhellenic Council sororities. Over the course of 5 days, potential new members (PNMs) will visit with each chapter. At the end of each day, the PNMs make selections to narrow their options while the chapters do the same. This process is known as mutual selection and uses a computer system to generate matches and schedules. Each morning, PNMs receive their schedule for the day from the Gamma Rho Chis (Greek Recruitment Counselors or GRCs). The GRCs serve as mentors throughout the process, remaining disassociated from their chapters throughout fall semester and formal recruitment to provide unbiased advise and support.
Eligibility: To participate in formal recruitment, PNMs must meet the following qualifications.
Requirements for Membership:
One semester of college credit
Cumulative 2.5 GPA (collegiate)
Must not have initiated into an NPC sorority or have pledged an NPC sorority since the prior recruitment period
Completed application including the new video requirement (formal recruitment only)
Submission of application fee (formal recruitment only)
Link to the 2024 PNM recruitment booklet click here
What is Continuous Open Bidding?
Chapters are permitted to recruit up to a designated number voted upon annually by the Panhellenic Council. Chapters with available membership spots can take members continually throughout the year until they fill these spots. When we become aware of these organizations, that information will be posted on fraternitysorority.wfu.edu
Process: To fill open membership spots, chapters can extend bids in a variety of ways, whether that means hosting a COB event or just communicating directly with a potential new member (PNM). Bids can be offered at any time from the start of COB to the deadline for final bids. A PNM can receive multiple bids or no bids. While registering for COB is not required, the Panhellenic Council is happy to provide the contact information of any interested women to chapters that have available membership spots. If you would like to be contacted by a chapter, please submit a COB Interest Form. Similarly, when the Panhellenic Council is made aware of chapter’s hosting COB events, this information will be distributed to anyone who has submitted this form. There is no registration fee associated with COB.
Timeline: In the fall, bids can be distributed beginning the first Monday after the start of classes. In the spring, bids can be distributed immediately following the conclusion of formal recruitment. There are deadlines also established for when final bids must be given. These dates for a specific semester can be found on fraternitysorority.wfu.edu
Participating Chapters:
Spring 2025 – will be determined in January 2025
Fall 2024 – determined in August 2024
Eligibility: To be eligible to join a chapter through COB, students must meet similar criteria to formal recruitment.
Requirements for Membership (for COB only):
One semester of college credit
Cumulative 2.5 GPA (collegiate)
Must not have initiated into an NPC sorority or have pledged an NPC sorority since the prior recruitment period