We are so excited that you are interested in joining our community! The Panhellenic Council hosts Primary Recruitment each Spring Semester, providing an opportunity to visit each Panhellenic sorority on the Syracuse University campus. Potential New Members (PNMs) will meet every chapter and learn what each has to offer.
Panhellenic Recruitment is a mutual selection process. As the week continues, PNMs will visit fewer chapters and ultimately make a final decision by selecting the chapter that is the best fit for them!
The registration fee is $70. The registration fee is non-refundable. In order to be eligible, you must meet the university’s Membership Requirements. Registering for recruitment does not guarantee that each PNM will get a bid.
Primary Recruitment Round Structure
Recruitment Orientation (1/11/27)
Recruitment Orientation occurs the Monday night before Go Greek Rounds. Beforehand, you will have an opportunity to meet your Rho Gamma group. Panhellenic will also host a presentation covering recruitment expectations and logistics.
Go Greek Round (1/15/27 – 1/16/27)
During Go Greek Round, PNMs will attend 13 events (also known as “parties”). Attendance at all 13 events is mandatory, and each event will last 20 minutes. This round will introduce you to each chapter’s sisterhood, values, and activities.
After the round, you will rank all chapters and identify the 10 chapters you would most like to visit during the next round of recruitment.
Philanthropy Round (1/17/27)
During Philanthropy Round, PNMs will attend a maximum of 10 events, although you may have fewer. Each event will last 30 minutes. This round will give you a glimpse into the philanthropy each sorority supports at both the local and national level. It is a great opportunity to learn more about what each sorority is passionate about.
You will have the opportunity to talk with chapter members and get a better idea of whether the chapter feels like the right place for you. After this round, you will rank all chapters and identify the 6 chapters you would most like to visit during the next round of recruitment.
House Tours Round (1/22/27)
During House Tours, you will have the opportunity to visit up to 6 chapters, although some PNMs may have fewer. Each event lasts 40 minutes. During this round, you will get the opportunity to see the personality of each chapter and tour the chapter house to learn more about what it is like to live there.
After this round, you will rank your remaining chapters and identify the 2 chapters you would most like to visit during the next round of recruitment.
Preference Round (1/23/27)
Preference (aka “Pref”) Round is the final round of recruitment. PNMs will have the opportunity to visit up to 2 chapters, with each event lasting one (1) hour.
Like in previous rounds, you will have the opportunity to talk with sorority women, who will share why they chose their sorority and what their membership has come to mean to them.
At the conclusion of Preference Round, PNMs will be instructed on how to complete their final selections. PNMs who choose to continue in the recruitment process will complete the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA). The MRABA is a binding agreement that indicates you are willing to accept a bid from any sorority you list on the agreement.
If you attended two Preference events, you may rank both sororities in order of preference. By listing both chapters, you are agreeing to accept a bid from either sorority, although your first choice is not guaranteed.
PNMs may also choose Single Intentional Preference (SIP), which means listing only one chapter on the MRABA after attending two Preference events. Choosing to SIP does not increase your chances of receiving a bid from that chapter and may result in not receiving a bid. PNMs may also choose to withdraw from the recruitment process entirely rather than complete the MRABA.
Rho Gammas and Panhellenic Council Executive Board members will be available to support and guide PNMs throughout the final selection process.
Bid Day (1/24/27)
Bid Day is the day you will receive your official invitation to join a chapter! PNMs who receive a bid will meet with their Rho Gamma group prior to the final Bid Day reveal. You will then meet chapter leaders and other new members of your new chapter, and the chapter will host a celebration that afternoon to welcome you to the community.
PNMs who do not receive a bid will receive a phone call on the morning of Bid Day informing them that they did not receive a bid.
Pursuant to the MRABA, any PNM who receives a bid but later withdraws from the new member process prior to initiation will not be eligible to participate in recruitment, including Continuous Open Bidding (COB), until the next Primary Recruitment period the following spring.
PNMs who withdraw from the recruitment process before signing the MRABA, or do not receive a bid during Primary Recruitment, may still be eligible to receive a bid through COB after Bid Day or during Fall Informal Recruitment.
COB opportunities are typically limited and depend on chapter total and whether individual chapters choose to participate. For more information about COB opportunities, email panhellenic@syr.edu.