FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is recruitment? How do I join a sorority?

Recruitment is the mutual selection process through which potential new members (PNMs) meet active members of the Greek Community. Over four days, PNMs will visit all twelve Panhellenic chapters and have the opportunity to find out what Greek life at Cal is all about. As the week progresses, both the chapters and the potential new members narrow down their selections. On the final day of recruitment, after a mutual bid-matching process, PNMs receive an invitation to join a chapter.

All female students at UC Berkeley are eligible to participate in Panhellenic Recruitment, including transfer and extension students.

For Fall Formal Recruitment, online registration will be available June 1st, 2010. (Please check back for updates)

Academics and Greek Life

Academic excellence is a primary focus of all the Greek-letter organizations at the University of California, Berkeley. Sorority women are held to high academic standards. Each individual chapter has set standards for academic performance that requires members to have specific grade point averages to be in good standing. In order to meet this standard, Greek chapters develop programming based on their chapter members’ needs. Programming topics include study skill techniques and time management seminars. Panhellenic is proud that the Greek women’s average is consistently higher than the Cal all-women’s average.

How Much of a Time Commitment Is It?

Participating in a Greek-letter organization is like participating in any co-curricular activity; it requires a time investment. Students in the Greek Community at Cal have the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience that involves academic work and campus involvement, as well as social events. As they say, you get out of a sorority what you put in. You can choose your level of involvement, whether you decide to be a member or the President.

Do Chapters Haze?

The national fraternity and sorority organizations, the University of California, Berkeley, Panhellenic Council and state law prohibit any action taken, or any situation created, whether on or off sorority premises, that may produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing is forbidden and will not be tolerated at the University of California, Berkeley.

What is Formal Fall Recruitment Week?

Recruitment week has been created to enable you to learn about what the Greek Community stands for. We have taken every precaution to ensure the week is enjoyable, comfortable, and fun. Recruitment week is your opportunity to meet many different women in the twelve chapters on campus. Each individual chapter shares common goals and values, yet each cultivates its own unique personality. There is truly a place for every woman interested in joining a chapter, which is why it is important to recognize the different aspects each chapter has to offer when making your selection. It is important to choose a sorority in which you feel comfortable, one which allows you to be yourself, and one that matches your interests and motivations to challenge and strengthen you through the years.

Who are Recruitment Counselors?

Panhellenic trains a special group of 34 women, known as Recruitment Counselors, for the purpose of providing a more enjoyable and less stressful atmosphere during membership recruitment week. All Recruitment Counselors remain disaffiliated during Recruitment Week. Disaffiliation enables recruitment counselors to answer questions and guide potential members without bias or preference to a particular chapter. Your Recruitment Counselor will provide information about the week, accompany you to recruitment week functions, and provide a listening ear as you make decisions concerning sorority membership. Approximately 20 women will join you as members of a recruitment group.

Panhellenic chooses recruitment counselors based on enthusiasm for Cal and sorority life, objectivity and dependability. Take advantage of your recruitment counselor because she can offer valuable information regarding sorority life, academic classes and other opportunities waiting for you at Cal. Her job during Recruitment Week is to help you and make the week easier for you in whatever way she is able.

What are the Financial Requirements?

Joining a Greek organization does entail a financial commitment, but it is important to realize this commitment is considerably less than the costs of housing, food, and entertainment for the average Cal student living in the residence halls. The average cost per semester of sorority membership (including dues, rent and food) ranges from $3,500 to $4,200. The first semester of membership is slightly more expensive than the second because of one-time initiation costs.

Living in a sorority is one of the most economical ways to live near campus. Berkeley residence halls cost between $5,000 and $6,000 each semester. Renting an apartment near campus generally costs over $1,000 a month with leases starting in June (not including food or furnishings). Sororities, in addition to housing services, provide food, furnishings, utilities, a managing staff, and most importantly emergency and security measure to provide a safe environment and a home away from home.

Which chapters are participating in Fall Recruitment 2011?

Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kapp Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and Sigma Kappa will all be participating in FFR 2011. Omega Phi Beta, our affiliate chapter, is not an organization recognized by the National Panhellenic Conference, and hence does not participate in the Panhellenic Council’s Formal Recruitment.

What is the Dress Code for Fall Recruitment?

Detailed information about dress code expectations will be given during our mandatory Orientation. In short -

• Unity Day: Something comfortable and casual. (Ie: shorts with a tank top or shirt, with comfortable shoes)
• House Tours: A sundress or skirt with flats or sandals.
• Philanthropy Night: Business casual. (Ie: Pants or skirt with a blouse, with flats)
• Preference Night: Business casual or something that you would wear to nice dinner or wedding. (Ie: Cocktail dress, with heels)

More questions? Please email the VP of Membership at phc.membership@calgreeks.com or Head Recruitment Counselor at phc.hrc@calgreeks.com