Sorority Life | Student Life | The University of Vermont(title)

2024 Fall sorority recruitment will be held SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15.  

Register for UVM's 2024 Sorority Recruitment!

It consists of an orientation session and four different events during which potential new members will have the opportunity to meet all the sororities on UVM's campus.

There are still chances to get involved with a sorority after the Fall sorority recruitment process through informal recruitment, which includes the Spring semester. This process is less structured than Fall sorority recruitment - not all chapters participate and each participating organization holds their own events.

To gain further information about both of these recruitment processes, you can  email the Panhellenic Council Vice President of Recruitment and Membership.

Sorority FAQs

How much does it cost?
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Each sororities' dues vary depending on the chapter. During Fall Sorority Recruitment, chapters will also present about the cost of membership on day 3 of recruitment, and if participating in information recruitment you should ask for updated information and consider each chapter's dues while making your decision on which chapter to join .

What should I wear to recruitment?
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Be comfortable! Casual attire is expected throughout recruitment except for on preference day. Remember that you’ll be moving around and standing so we discourage you from wearing uncomfortable shoes or heels at any point during the weekend.

Should I participate in Fall sorority recruitment or informal recruitment?
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Participating in either fall sorority recruitment or informal recruitment is a personal preference. During fall sorority recruitment you are able to meet every chapter on campus. During informal recruitment, potential new members are only able to visit  the chapters participating.

What is a Rho Gamma?
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A Rho Gamma is a recruitment counselor that helps to facilitate fall sorority recruitment. These women are resources for potential new members through their recruitment process. Rho Gammas are also disaffiliated from their chapters in order to support potential new members.

What about academics?
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All UVM fraternal organizations have GPA requirements to join as well as to maintain active membership. GPA requirements are set individually by each chapter. Many chapters have different GPA requirements for incoming first years and continuing students (sophomore, junior and senior).

How much time does it take to be in a sorority?
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Participating in any worthwhile activity always requires an investment of one's time. Participating in a fraternal organization is like any co-curricular activity; it requires a time investment. The benefit of membership in the FSL community at UVM is the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience that includes learning how to balance academics, work, campus involvement and social commitments.

Terminology

  • Bid: a formal invitation given by a fraternity or sorority asking a prospective member to join the chapter.
  • Big Sibling/Sister: an older member assigned to assist a new member in their college transition.
  • Fall Sorority Recruitment: a designated membership recruitment period during which sororities hold a series of organized events.
  • Hazing: Any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with joining, pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or gaining or maintaining membership in any group, organization, department or unit that is a part of or recognized by the University, and that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, socially or physically isolating, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student(s) or otherwise endangering their mental or physical health.
  • Informal/Open Recruitment: the unstructured recruitment process by which chapters bring in new members. Sometimes called the "rush" period.
  • Legacy: a prospective member whose immediate relative(s) were in a recognized fraternity at UVM or another institution.
  • New Member: a person who has accepted a fraternity or sorority bid, but has not been initiated.
  • NPC: National Panhellenic Conference.
  • Panhellenic Council (PanHel): The governing body for all UVM sororities.
  • Potential New Member: a person participating in recruitment events.
  • Sister: a term used within sororities when referring to other members.