Frequently Asked Questions About Greek Life
What is formal recruitment?
Formal recruitment is the second full week of school when the three Panhellenic sororities recruit together. Each girl is asked to visit each sorority and meet the girls. Through a mutual selection process, you are extended a bid, which is an invitation to join a sorority.
What is informal recruitment?
Informal recruitment is the recruitment process following formal recruitment's bid day up until the end of the winter semester. At that time, a sorority can extend bids to other girls who either could not make it to formal recruitment or to fill up empty spots remaining after formal recruitment is over. Those girls are added to the fall new member class. If space allows, each sorority holds individual events in January & February to make a winter new member class.
What are the requirements to join a sorority?
Each sorority has individual GPA requirements, ranging anywhere from a 2.25 to a 2.5 to be an active member and perhaps higher to be in a leadership position.
I'm not a freshman. Can I still join?
Of course! A lot of women wait a semester or two until they feel that are ready to go Greek. It is a lifetime commitment, not just for four years. Plus, older women and women who transfer in can bring a new perspective to their college life and feel how much their college experience has changed, especially on a commuter campus.
What are the differences between the sororities and how can I determine which sorority is right for me?
Each sorority has different colors, mottos, etc, but they also have different philanthropies, different events they hold, among other things. It is about where you feel most comfortable. It is often said that you are joining the people, not the organization. What group of girls could you see yourself being friends with during and after college?
What if I already know I want to be in Beta Beta Beta sorority?
Makes sure to check out all three and keep an open mind. You may not get your first choice but you may be extended a bid to a sorority that you click with better than what you had originally thought.
I've watched GREEK/Animal House/Beta House/Sorority Life/etc. Are you really like that?
Absolutely not. Those are the Greek stereotypes and, here at UMD, we work hard not to feed into them. We focus more on philanthropy & service work, our education and building a strong sisterhood.
Is being in a sorority really expensive? I don't want to have to pay for my friends.
Being in a sorority does not make you pay for you friends. Each sorority pays dues that are worked in a budget and go towards t-shirts, benefiting philanthropies and holding events, among other things. Each sorority has their own amounts, between 150-200 per semester. Your new member dues will be a little higher because you purchase a member pin. However, money should not turn you away from a great experience! Each sorority has fund raising events as well as payment plans to accommodate you.
I work a lot. Are there mandatory events I have to go to?
Each sorority does hold Monday meetings, as well as their own events. However, each sorority also has their own attendance policies. We know that, on a commuter campus, students often times work and go to school. It may be difficult to make everything. Each sorority is willing to work with you to keep you involved as much as you can.
I'm taking a lot of hard classes this semester. Will I be able to keep my grades up?
Each sorority takes time to have study nights, test files, book exchanges, etc. to insure that their members stay on top of their education. In fact, Panhellenic women have a higher overall GPA than other women at UMD. Also, a lot of women have the same major, can help each other in classes they have already taken and can advise younger women in their own major.
Will I have time to do other things on campus besides being in a sorority?
Absolutely. Our girls belong to sport teams, religious organizations, honor societies related to their majors and even work on campus in addition to being involved in their sorority. It is often a stepping stone to joining other orgs and becoming more involved.
Does hazing still exist as part of the new member process?
Hazing is defined as "any action or situation, with or without consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, academic, health or safety of a student (from the UM-Dearborn Code of Conduct)". The University of Michigan-Dearborn has a strict, no tolerance policy against hazing.