PNM Information
Recruitment can be overwhelming with so many new faces and events, but remember that each sorority is looking for authentic connections. Don’t feel pressured to fit a certain mold - just be genuine, and you’ll find the right place for you. Trust your instincts and focus on where you feel most comfortable and welcomed.
Also, make sure to take care of yourself during recruitment week. It can be tiring with all the events, so stay hydrated, get enough rest, and eat well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and engage with members you meet - they’re there to help you understnad what their sisterhood is all about.
Lastly, enjoy the process! This is a unique opportunity to meet amazing people and potentially find lifelong friends and a supportive community. Good luck and have fun!
— Shelly McKneely, 2024 Panhellenic President
Collegiate Panhellenic Council
When you join one of the eight National Panhellenic Conference sororities at UNT, you also become a member of the Panhellenic Council. The UNT Panhellenic Council is the umbrella organization for the eight NPC sororities chartered at UNT, and is responsible for organizing activities of mutual concern and interest to all the sororities on campus.
The National Panhellenic Conference, founded in 1902, is the encompassing organization for 26 inter/national women’s fraternities and sororities. Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae. Members are represented on more than 600 college and university campuses in the United States, Canada, and in more than 4,600 alumnae associations, making up more than 4 million sorority women in the world.
The UNT Panhellenic Council is composed of eight national sororities — Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha. These sororities have enjoyed a rich history at UNT since 1953. With the university’s continued support, the Panhellenic Council continues to grow and flourish through the efforts of its members.
Recruitment Rules for Potential New Members
The Panhellenic recruitment team and the CFSL office serves as the main point of information for the potential new members. Chapter members are able to communicate with PNMs and share their sorority experience. Sororities will not be hosting events outside of the recruitment schedule. They will also not have private conversations with PNMs about joining their sorority as they promote the entire sorority experience.
A potential new member shall consult her Rho Gamma (recruitment counselor) before withdrawing from recruitment.
All potential new members must attend ALL parties. If you are unable to do so, please contact your Rho Gamma immediately to make alternative arrangements.
Sororities may not promise a bid or membership to a potential new member during or before the recruitment process. This includes verbally or in writing.
A potential new member shall not give a promise, verbal or written, to join a certain chapter before Formal Bids have been issued through Panhellenic.
From the beginning of Recruitment Orientation through the end of Formal Recruitment, no potential new member may visit a sorority chapter facility or individual members outside of scheduled recruitment events as outlined in the scheduled provided.
If through the Primary Recruitment process a potential member receives a bid and then has her pledge broken or breaks her pledge, then she is ineligible to be pledged to another NPC organization at UNT until the next fall.
If any active chapter member, Recruitment Team member, or fellow PNM is acting in a way that does not align with the rules of the formal recruitment process or the standards of our Panhellenic community, please report the incident to a Rho Gamma, staff member, or a member of the Recruitment Team. We are here to help you!
Day 1 - Open House
What to expect
Round One is your opportunity to attend an open house for each of the eight sororities. The parties will last 30 minutes each. This is a “get to know you” round. Members will be asking you about yourself so have some talking points ready. This is also a great time to ask general questions about sorority life at UNT.
What to Wear
A t-shirt will be provided at orientation and comfortable bottoms (shorts, casual skirts, capris, etc). The day is casual and comfortable shoes are recommended, as this is the longest day of recruitment and there will be lots of walking. Please bring small bags that you can wear, like cross body, fanny pack, small wristlet, small backpack, etc. Bags larger than a cross body bag will not be allowed in the houses during any day of recruitment.
Day 2 - Philanthropy Day
What to expect
Round Two is a day for the sororities to showcase their philanthropies. They will share what type of events and community service they do. You will attend a maximum of five parties, each lasting 45 minutes.
What to Wear
Today’s attire is slightly dressier than round one, but you still want to dress comfortably. A pair of nice pants, skirts, romper, dress pants, capris or sundress is appropriate. Make sure you still wear shoes you can walk in and stand for long periods of time. Don’t wear new shoes if they aren’t broken in yet!
Day 3 - Preference Night
What to expect
Preference is the most formal of all the events. The parties will focus on the core aspects of sorority life, including friendship, sisterhood, and tradition. You will attend a maximum of two preference events lasting 60 minutes each. This day serves as an opportunity to seriously consider which chapter you wish to join.
What to Wear
Today’s attire is the most formal of the week. A cocktail or semi-formal dress or pant suit is appropriate. If you want to wear heals today is the day to do so but remember you still will be walking to the houses.
Day 4 - BID DAY!!
What to expect
Bid Day is the final day of recruitment. On this day, PNMs have the opportunity to receive a bid from a sorority. On this day, girls will run home and celebrate!
What to Wear
Comfortable clothing are preferred like on Day 1. Shorts and skirts are ideal, as well as comfortable sneakers, since chapters hand out t-shirts and other accessories for new members to wear.
What to pack in your bag!
These are super important items to put in your tote or backpack for recruitment! It can get really hot outside!
Greek Terminology
You’re going to hear these words often!
Active Member: An undergraduate sorority/fraternity member who has been initiated by their chapter and is in good standing with UNT and their organization.
Alumna/Alumni: A sorority/fraternity member who is no longer a member of a collegiate chapter, but remains a member of the organization (plural is alumnae).
Badge: Pin worn by an initiated member. Many organizations will have a new member badge for their members who are not initiated yet.
Bid: A formal written invitation to join a sorority or fraternity. Women are only able to receive one bid while going through recruitment.
Chapter: A membership unit of a national or international sorority or fraternity.
Continuous Open Bidding (COB): COB bids may be extended and accepted at any time during the school year after Primary Recruitment. COB is also referred to as Continuous Open Recruitment (COR) and Informal Membership Recruitment.
Initiation: The formal ceremony in which new members receive life-long membership privileges and become an active member of the organization.
Legacy: A woman whose mother, sister, or grandmother, is an alumna or active member of a National Panhellenic Conference sorority. Legacy status differs by organization.
Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA): A document each potential new member completes immediately following the Preference Round of events stating her membership preferences. The potential new member ranks the sororities she would accept a bid from in preferential order. This is a binding agreement stating that the PNM is willing to accept a bid from any sorority she lists. This agreement is binding until the next fall recruitment.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC): The governing body composed of 26 inter/national women’s fraternities and sororities.
New Member: A woman who has accepted a sorority bid but is not yet an initiated member.
Panhellenic Association: The College Panhellenic Association is a cooperative campus organization of collegiate members of NPC Sororities. They are also referred to as Panhellenic Council, CPC, and PAN.
Philanthropy: A service project undertaken by Greek organizations at the campus, community, or national level. Most national organizations have a designated cause to which they serve.
Potential New Member (PNM): It’s you! Any woman interested in becoming a sorority member who is eligible to join according to the Panhellenic Association’s requirements.
Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma): Greek women carefully selected and trained to guide potential new members through the formal recruitment process. They disassociation from their respective chapters throughout the recruitment process to assist the PNMs. Also referred to as Recruitment Counselors or Rho Gammas.
Single Intentional Preference: Occurs when a PNM attends more than one preference event but does not list all of her options on her MRABA. This is highly not recommended and could negatively affect your selections process.
General Financial Terms
Chapter Dues: The dues fund all members activities including programming, recruitment, chapter supplies, and chapter operations.
Composite: An annual photograph is taken of each chapter’s membership. This expense can be included in the dues or billed separately.
House Corporation Fee: These funds are used to support chapter property and physical plant. Often this is a one-time fee paid prior to initiation.
Initiation Fee: Fee paid to finalize initial membership in the organization.
Panhellenic Dues: These funds are used for Panhellenic operations. Attending conferences, recruitment, office operations, marketing, and electronic media are some of the items included in the Panhellenic budget.
Parlor/House Usage Fee: The entire membership has access to the house/lodge and thus the property is subject to a great deal of wear and tear. This fee is used primarily for care and maintenance of property and furnishings in the common areas of the chapter facility.
Per Capita Fee: Fee paid to inter/national organizations per member to support overall sorority operations.
Purchasing Fund: This fund is set up at the beginning of each semester to pay for things not included in chapter dues. Fund could be used to purchase t-shirts, sorority paraphernalia, or attend optional social functions.
Any Questions? Contact us!
panhellenic@unt.edu
621 S Welch St.
Denton, TX 76201