PRIMARY RECRUITMENT

“Can I be excused from recruitment events because of prior commitments?”

Potential new members must attend all recruitment events indicated on their schedule as well as additional meetings or programs informed by their Rho Gamma. However, in the case of illness, emergency, or academic/athletics conflict, potential new members must provide proper documentation to be excused from a recruitment event.

“Am I guaranteed a bid through primary recruitment?”

The purpose of the recruitment is to allow you and the chapters to decide on the best fit through a mutual selection process. The reality is that not everyone who goes through recruitment finds a match. However, we encourage every PNM to uphold an open and positive attitude throughout each round while considering their options.

“Do I need alumnae references or recommendation letters?”

Alumnae references and recommendation letters are not required for potential new members to have to participate in primary recruitment. Also, PNMs do not need recommendations to receive a bid.

“If I go through primary recruitment, am I required to join a chapter?”

No. The primary recruitment process is non-obligatory, therefore PNMs can make the best decision for themselves in finding a place of belonging at Indiana University.

“What should I bring with me to primary recruitment?”

Bring what you think are necessities to you. Most commonly, PNMS will bring a bag with them that has water, a hairbrush, hair ties, an umbrella, feminine hygiene products, snacks, band-aids, powder, mini mirrors, comfortable shoes, a jacket, and more. However, only bring what you think you will need and what will make you feel the most prepared throughout the recruitment process.

“I signed up for recruitment, but I decided not to participate. Can I get a refund for the registration fee?

Unfortunately, the registration fee for primary recruitment is non-refundable.

“I am nervous. Will someone help me throughout the recruitment process?”

Yes! Each PNM is assigned a Rho Gamma that guides you through each round of recruitment. Your Rho Gamma will be your person for anything and everything during recruitment!

“When does 2024 Primary Recruitment registration open and close?”

Registration will open on September 12th at 12pm and close on November 28th at 11:59pm.

“When do I need to return to campus for 2024 Primary Recruitment?”

All PNMs need to be back at Indiana University by 4pm EST on January 3rd.

“What date is each round of primary recruitment?”

For 2024 Primary Recruitment schedule information, please visit the primary recruitment page under the recruitment tab.

ELIGIBILITY

“Is there a GPA requirement to join a sorority at Indiana University?”

There is no minimum grade point average required for registration, however, it is strongly recommended that you have at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average. It is also important to note that meeting this minimum does not guarantee membership in a sorority. Each chapter has its own GPA requirement which can be found on the chapter pages.

“Can I go through Panhellenic recruitment as an upperclassman?”

Yes! Any student within the Indiana University community is welcome to register and go through the recruitment process!

“I am a transfer student. Can I participate in recruitment at Indiana University?”

Yes! Any student within the Indiana University community is welcome to register and go through the recruitment process!

“Can I go through primary recruitment even if I went through spring informal recruitment?”

Yes! As long as you did not sign a MRABA (Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement), you are eligible to go through primary recruitment.

“I went through primary recruitment last spring. Can I participate in primary recruitment this spring?”

Yes!

“I accepted a bid from a chapter last spring during primary recruitment, but I am no longer in that chapter. Can I go through primary recruitment again?”

Yes! You can go through primary recruitment again as long as you were not initiated into the chapter you received a bid from.

COST

“Is there a fee to register for primary recruitment at Indiana University?”

Yes, there is a non-refundable registration fee of $55 that covers your shirt for Open Invite and other recruitment necessities such as transportation. Additionally, there is a $5 processing fee when registering.

“How much does sorority membership cost?”

The financial requirements for each chapter at Indiana University are found under the resource tab of our website.

OTHER

“Does each chapter have a house?”

No. At Indiana University, our Panhellenic Community provides various sorority experiences including housed and unhoused opportunities. 20 of our 22 chapters have housing facilities. Additionally, the women in the chapters without houses normally live together in an apartment complex. Please visit our chapter pages for more information.

“Will I be hazed upon joining a chapter?”

Indiana University has zero tolerance for hazing meaning hazing is strictly prohibited per university policy and by law.

Potential New Member (PNM): A woman who is eligible to participate in sorority recruitment

Bid Day: Bid Day is the last day of Panhellenic Recruitment. It is when potential new members receive bids to join chapters and become new members. Usually, during Bid Day, each chapter will hold a fun activity for the new members to meet and get to know the rest of the chapter.

Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA): This is a one-year binding agreement signed by a potential new member (PNM) when ranking chapters after the preference round of recruitment. When a PNM signs her MRABA, she agrees to accept a bid from any chapter listed on the agreement (maximum of two listed). If the PNM denies a bid from one of the two chapters listed on the MRABA, she cannot accept a bid from any other organization for a year or until the next primary recruitment period. The PNM is eligible for continuous open bidding or snap bidding if she signs a MRABA, but does not receive a bid.

Intentional Single Preference: When a PNM only lists one chapter on her MRABA following the preference round of primary recruitment.

Legacy: A daughter, sister, or granddaughter of an initiated sorority member. Being a legacy does not guarantee a PNM a bid to a particular sorority. Each chapter has its own definition and policy for legacies during recruitment.

New Member: Refers to a woman who has accepted a bid from a sorority, but is not an initiated member.

Quota: The number of potential new members that each sorority chapter can offer bids to during primary recruitment. This is determined with a formula using the number of chapters and the number of women in the final round of the recruitment process.

Rho Gamma: A sorority member disassociated from her sorority to serve as a recruitment guide. She is a resource for any questions or concerns during primary recruitment. Each PNM is assigned a Rho Gamma throughout the entire primary recruitment process.

Preference Round: The last round of sorority primary recruitment.