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How to join a Panhellenic sorority

For women interested in joining a Panhellenic sorority, the process is managed by the Panhellenic Council through a program called formal recruitment.  Formal recruitment is a four to five day series of events and activities structured to introduce women to all the sororities on campus.  Think of it as a get-acquainted period in which potential new members and the active members meet each other. To participate in formal recruitment, the fee is $15, payable to MSU.  At the end of the process, the potential new member will be asked to rank the sororities in order of preference.  At the same time, each sorority will create a list of women they are interested in offering a "bid" to become a member. The Greek Life Office and the sorority alumni will then match the potential new member rankings with the sorority bids.  Once a "match" is created, the potential new member will receive an invitation to join from the sorority whose bid is the closest match to her rank preference.

 Joining a Panhellenic sorority after formal recruitment

Each Panhellenic sorority has a cap on the total number of women who can be in it at any one time.  At MSU that number is 60, though it is periodically adjusted.  The only time a sorority can acquire over 60 is during formal recruitment (example, a sorority has 50 members prior to formal recruitment and after formal recruitment 23 new members join, they have 73 women).  So, this means that if a sorority is at 60 or greater, they cannot take new members until their numbers drop below 60, or until the next fall formal recruitment.

What this means for women who are interested in joining a sorority is the only ones they can join after formal recruitment are those whose membership is less than 60.  During formal recruitment, potential new members have all six MSU sororities to choose from.  Afterwards, they have only those below 60 to choose from.

Each sorority is fantastic and their members represent the best students, so no matter which sorority you join, you are in a group of outstanding individuals.  But, for example, if you have a sibling or dear friend in a sorority at or over 60, you won't be able to join her sorority until the following fall.  That's why it is important to participate in formal recruitment, so you have all six groups to choose from.

The process for joining a sorority after formal recruitment is called "continuous open bidding" and it is free.  You will be asked to complete a “blue card” to determine academic eligibility to participate. 

 

Panhellenic Council stands strongly against hazing.  Click here for MSU's Hazing Policy. 

 Once the process is concluded, the new sorority member will need complete a Personal Data Card, which gives the university permission to check her grades and share them with the chapter leadership (be sure to sign the back). 

Greek Life Office   204 Adron Doran University Center  Morehead, KY 40351 (606) 783-2071