Panhellenic Recruitment 101

Primary Recruitment is the process of a potential new member (PNM) meeting all Panhellenic chapters at USD and learning what they might want to get out of and contribute to the community, should they receive an invitation and choose to join a sorority. Primary Recruitment is a uniquely structured opportunity to learn about each chapter and meet the active members involved in sorority life, as well as provide space for chapters to get to know the potential new members. Primary Recruitment is based on shared values and mutual selection. Following each day of recruitment, PNMs prioritize the chapters that they feel align most closely with their values, and the chapters prioritize PNMs as well. Each day, PNMs will attend fewer recruitment events than the day before, becoming closer to finding a lifelong sisterhood and new home here at USD. Primary Recruitment is typically held in the week before the start of the Spring academic semester. 2024 Primary Recruitment, starting with PNM Orientation and ending on Bid Day, will take place on January 23-27.

Informal Recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is another recruitment opportunity for chapters who have the space to recruit members outside of the primary recruitment process. Informal recruitment or COB can take place during the fall semester (typically September to October) or directly after primary recruitment in the spring (typically February). Informal recruitment is a less structured process than primary recruitment because it is hosted by individual chapters, not by the Panhellenic Council. Some chapters choose to host open recruitment events, while other chapters choose to host invitation-only events. Typically, not all chapters are able to participate in informal recruitment in any given semester. Informal recruitment can be a particularly good fit for students who are not able to commit to the time requirements of the primary recruitment process, as well as for students who miss the primary recruitment registration deadline but are still eligible and interested in joining a chapter. Students may participate in one or multiple informal recruitment processes, but may only accept a bid to one chapter. All students that participate in informal recruitment must meet the same eligibility as with primary recruitment: have completed 12 units at USD or 24 transfer units, have at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA at USD, and have completed the new student wellness modules.

When permitted to take place in-person, recruitment events are typically held on USD's campus in various locations including the UC Forums, Maher Hall, Serra Hall, and Shiley Theatre. For Informal Recruitment, participating students receive information about the location of recruitment events directly from the host chapter. For Primary Recruitment, participating students receive a booklet with location details during Recruitment Orientation and are connected with a recruitment counselor and small group who help them physically, emotionally, and socially navigate the recruitment process.. **If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility or accommodations to more fully participate in any recruitment process, please contact the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Kristen Reynolds at kristenreynolds@sandiego.edu at least two weeks prior to the start of your recruitment process.

There are currently nine sororities at the University of San Diego. Two sororities are member organizations of the Lettered Multicultural Council, and seven sororities are member organizations of the Panhellenic Council. USD students are also eligible for membership in some NPHC city-wide chapters, also known as Black Greek-letter organizations. Students interested in joining a sorority are encouraged to consider all of their options across the Councils, which have different joining processes, membership costs, and sisterhood experiences. In addition to programs hosted by Panhellenic Council throughout the year, each student participating in Panhellenic primary recruitment will receive a booklet at orientation with more specific information about each chapter. Following the @usdpanhellenic and @usd_lmc accounts on Instagram can also be helpful in learning more about the respective chapters, Councils, and sorority community.

Registration is open from November 1, 2023 to January 5, 2024 at midnight! Register here: usdpanhellenic.mycampusdirector2.com

There is a registration fee to participate in Panhellenic primary recruitment. It is a one-time, flat fee of $40. This helps cover the cost of your participation in our process. This fee includes a t-shirt (unisex size), community keynote speaker, snacks throughout the process, and space/equipment rentals for recruitment spaces. The pPanhellenic recruitment fee is not due at the time of registration but will be charged to your student account during the Spring 2024 semester.

Payment for registration takes place through your USD student account. Pay this promptly similar to any other charges billed to your student account (tuition, meal plan, etc.). Students participating in 2024 Primary Recruitment will be billed to their student account in the Spring academic semester (February). All students who register and are eligible for primary recruitment will be charged the recruitment fee. Students who are determined to be ineligible will not be charged the fee. Students who are eligible but withdraw or are released from the primary recruitment process will be charged the fee.

After you finish your Primary Recruitment registration, you should check your own eligibility status by calculating your units completed at USD, your cumulative GPA at USD, and your new student wellness modules status, as well as try to finish the semester with a strong academic performance. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will follow up in early to mid January with an update if you are not eligible to participate in the process. Additionally, look out for future communications from Panhellenic Recruitment Team to help you feel prepared, excited, and open about the primary recruitment process, including later information connecting you to your recruitment counselor, other Panhellenic programs, and stories/insight from current sorority members.

The PNM orientation will take place on Friday evening, typically between 4-8pm (Pacific time). Bid day will take place on Tuesday morning, typically between 10am-12pm (Pacific time), followed by chapter welcome events the rest of the afternoon/evening. In general, the three days of primary recruitment are full days, so we encourage PNMs to be as available as possible from 9:00am-9:00pm on day one, two, and three (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). It is possible that a PNM could begin their day later, or end their day earlier, than the times listed, but greater availability allows for more opportunity to participate fully in the process. Any scheduling conflicts must be communicated by January 12th in order to be accommodated. Each schedule is also built with breaks in mind, including an hour timeframe for lunch, earlier end times where possible, and an attempt to schedule no more than 4 consecutive events in a row, though PNM conflicts may result in less than ideal schedules. Because the recruitment process is based on mutual selection, individual schedules are created each morning and shared with PNMs at the beginning of each day (e.g. a PNM receives their personalized Sisterhood Day schedule on the morning of Sisterhood Day) in their meeting with their recruitment counselor. PNMs are expected to attend all recruitment events to which they receive an invitation; unexcused absences may result in a PNM being released from the process.

We want you to wear whatever you feel most confident and comfortable in during the recruitment process! PNMs do not need to purchase any new or specific clothing in order to participate. We encourage you not to worry too much about your clothing, as that is not important to us in the USD community. We care more about learning who you are and getting to know you. Here are some simple guidelines/what to expect chapters to be wearing: Orientation: Wear whatever you want - casual. You will be meeting with your Recruitment Counselor, participating in orientation, and meeting other potential new members. Day 1 (Changemaking): Wear whatever you want - casual. Most chapters will be wearing t-shirts. Day 2 (Sisterhood Day): PNMs are encouraged to wear something that shows off their personal style - snappy casual. This could include jeans, pants, jumpsuits, skirts, sweaters, blouses, and/or dresses. Chapter attire will vary from jeans and tops to semi-formal dresses. Day 3 (Preference Day): PNMs are encouraged to dress up a bit more - semi-formal. This could include dress pants, jumpsuits, skirts, blouses, and/or dresses. Most chapters will be wearing semi-formal attire such as dresses and pantsuits. Day 4 (Bid Day): Wear whatever you want - casual. Many photos will be taken to celebrate new members in the chapter! Your chapter may offer a t-shirt or small accessories if you accept an invitation to membership. Comfortable shoes are highly encouraged for each day of primary recruitment.

For 2024 Primary Recruitment, students should plan to be available to participate in recruitment during January 23-27 (avoid making travel plans on these days if at all possible). Each year, we work with our campus partners in Housing to assess the opportunity for early move-in and intersession housing at reduced rates; this information will be communicated towards the end of the Fall semester.

Yes! You can register for Intersession Housing by visiting the Residential Life Portal towards the end of the Fall semester. There is typically a flat rate fee of $100 for Potential New Members staying in the residence halls for recruitment from 1/23-1/27. Please register for housing via Residential Life. Students who live in Continuous Year Round Housing (Manchester Village, University Terrace Apartments, Presidio Terrace Apartment) do not need to apply for Intersession Housing, but will need to notify their Community Director that they will be returning to campus early.

Yes. Intersession hours are posted towards the end of the Fall semester on the Auxiliary Services Website.

Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form or contact DJ Mahoney, Panhellenic Advisor, at djmahoney@sandiego,edu with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 12, 2024. While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.

Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form or contact DJ Mahoney, Panhellenic Advisor, at djmahoney@sandiego.edu with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 12, 2024. It is most helpful if you can provide specific information about your return dates, flights, access to wi-fi and any other travel arrangements. While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.

Yes, you may still participate in recruitment! It will be important to communicate your scheduling needs with both Panhellenic and your respective team/coach to ensure you are still meeting your athletic obligations. Adjustments may be made to your daily schedule to allow you to participate to the fullest extent possible. Please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form or contact DJ Mahoney, Panhellenic Advisor, at djmahoney@sandiego.edu with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 12, 2024. While chapters will be notified of any excused absences, please note that having a more limited schedule may impact your ability to attend all events to which you are invited and could impact your ability to be successful in the recruitment process.

It depends! While we do our best to accommodate conflicts resulting from University programs (such as academic courses, study abroad, transfer orientation, student leader training, and athletic teams), we are not able to accommodate personal conflicts. We encourage you to try to make yourself available for as much of the primary recruitment schedule as possible. This includes the evening of Friday the 23rd, as much of the days (9am-9pm) on Saturday-Monday as possible, and the morning and afternoon of Tuesday the 27th. You may not need to be available for all of those times, but having a clear calendar will improve your ability to be fully present throughout the process and maximize your opportunities for invitations. By sharing recruitment dates far enough in advance, we hope this will assist in you re-scheduling appointments, shifts, other student organization involvement, or obligations that may limit your ability to be successful in the recruitment process. If you have an extenuating circumstance that cannot be rescheduled, please submit the PNM Conflict Submission Form or contact DJ Mahoney, Panhellenic Advisor, at djmahoney@sandiego.edu with any conflicts or concerns as early as possible and by no later than January 12, 2024. PNMs are expected to attend all recruitment events to which they receive an invitation; unexcused absences may result in a PNM being released from the process.

Letters of recommendations are not required to participate in Panhellenic recruitment and potential new members should not feel pressured to secure any letters of recommendation. At larger colleges and universities, letters of recommendations are sometimes helpful in providing more information about a potential new member. As a smaller, more tight-knit community at the University of San Diego, chapters do not need such additional information. Please note that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Panhellenic Recruitment Team do not manage, process, or forward any letters of recommendation. Please visit the chapter's national website for information regarding optional letters of recommendation if you would like to submit them. Some organizations also have optional forms for potential new members to introduce themselves in the form of a self-recommendation.

If you have been through the recruitment process at your previous institution and were not initiated into a National Panhellenic Conference sorority, then you are eligible to take part in recruitment at USD and join another sorority. If you went through recruitment at another school and were initiated into a National Panhellenic Conference sorority, then you are not eligible to go through recruitment and join another NPC sorority. For more information, you can read through the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements online. If you are a member of a sorority that you joined at another school, and would like to be involved with the same sorority at USD, you should contact your chapter leadership or national sorority to ask about transfer affiliation procedures.

New Member dues are different for each chapter but tend to be within the $700-$1000 range. After the first semester of membership, active dues tend to be less expensive, within the $400-$700 range. Chapter dues are calculated based on a variety of factors, including chapter member input. In the primary recruitment process, all potential new members will be provided a booklet with an updated range of the anticipated costs breakdown for each chapter in the 2024 year. We encourage you to view the Costs page for more specific information regarding the financial obligations of membership in previous years and how Panhellenic is working to make membership more financially accessible. During the second day of recruitment (Sisterhood Day), chapters share information about their specific dues structure. PNMs are encouraged to ask questions about what dues go towards, payment timelines, and any chapter support available. In COB/informal recruitment, chapters are expected to share their financial transparency information with potential new members before offering them bids.

Like letters of recommendation, each chapter has its own inter/national policies to follow with respect to legacies in the recruitment process and beyond. The exact definition of “legacy” can vary across organizations, but typically refers to a potential new member with a close family member who is an initiated member in good standing of a sorority, such as a grandmother, mother or sister. It has never been the case at USD that someone would automatically receive a bid just because they were a legacy. All potential new members must meet the organization’s criteria for membership selection, which are always values based. However, historically, legacies have been given preferential treatment in Panhellenic recruitment processes. Many organizations have re-evaluated their legacy policy to promote a more equitable recruitment experience for all. For the most current information regarding specific chapter legacy policies, please visit the inter/national organization website. Alpha Chi Omega removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021 Alpha Delta Pi - unknown Gamma Phi Beta removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021 Kappa Alpha Theta removed legacy preferential treatment in 2020 Kappa Delta - unknown Kappa Kappa Gamma removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021 Pi Beta Phi removed legacy preferential treatment in 2021 A PNM may choose to indicate legacy status on the primary recruitment registration form, may tell the chapter during a recruitment event, or may choose not to disclose any legacy affiliation. Legacy status or affiliation is not a requirement to participate in Panhellenic recruitment.

Systemic issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ableism, etc. are present and perpetuated in Panhellenic sororities. While these injustices are not limited to Panhellenic, they are deeply embedded in our community and we are responsible for changing them. As a Panhellenic Council, significant work has been done over the past few years to create a more socially just community. Such projects have included racial equity audits of the executive board positions, responsibilities, and budget; the creation of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position; and educational workshops for Panhellenic delegates/nominating committee, recruitment chairs, and other student leadership. The work is not done, and we need new members who can continue this momentum into the future. You are both shaped by and shaping every community to which you belong. The primary recruitment process itself has also been adjusted to intentionally create space for conversations on the first day (“Changemaking Day”) focused on social justice, community engagement, fundraising/philanthropy efforts, and leadership opportunities. Chapters are encouraged to talk openly and honestly about diversity and inclusion within their chapter, and PNMs are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions to help themselves understand which, if any, sisterhood they could see themselves joining.