Sorority Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about sorority recruitment.  We'll post your question here if it's something we think all the Potential New Members might want to know about.

What is the value of being in a sorority?
UNO has over 12,000 students, and coming into an institution of that size can be very intimidating. By joining a sorority, you have a tight-knit group of friends who can help you to become acclimated easily. Sororities expect all members to maintain an above-average GPA. Along with helping members with academics, the Greek community is made up of the most active individuals on campus and can help you "network" on campus. In addition to giving you networking skills, sorority life will improve your time management skills and your leadership skills, both of which are very important in the "real world."

How much does it cost to be in a sorority at UNO?
Each sorority charges dues every semester in order to pay for their activities and programs. Dues for UNO sororities average about $75 per month. However, your first semester of sorority membership will be more expensive. In addition to paying dues, you will also pay a new member fee, initiation fee, and badge fee; these total approximately $200 - $250. Most sororities allow members to establish a payment plan so they do not have to pay everything at once, and some also offer financial assistance. Optional items like t-shirts and party favors cost $25 - $50 per semester.

Do I have to maintain a certain GPA to be in a sorority?
Yes. While the university only requires students to have a 2.5 to be active in a student organization, sororities may have higher requirements( the lowest requirement being a 2.5).The sororities want you to excel academically, so all maintain scholarship programs that include study groups and tutoring.

Do sororities at UNO haze their new members?
Absolutely not. Hazing is illegal, and it is a violation of university policy and each national sorority's policy. None of UNO's sororities participate in or condone any type of hazing because the safety of their members is of utmost importance. The Greek Life Advisor works closely with the Associate Dean for Judicial and Student Assistance to deal with any suspected incidents of hazing.

What will be required of me as a new member?
Each chapter has a new member program, which lasts from 6-8 weeks. During this time you will learn about the sorority's history and values and get to know the women in the chapter and your new member class much better. You will attend chapter meetings and/or new member meetings, study sessions and study breaks, community service activities, and social events. Be sure to ask specifics about each group's new member program during Recruitment.

What is the time commitment involved with joining a sorority?
Generally, you can expect to devote 10-15 hours a week to a sorority as a new member. All the sororities at UNO meet on Sunday evenings (usually from about 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.), and they hold other events throughout the week -- both during the day and in the evening. The longer you are in a chapter, the more likely you are to become more involved on a committee or as an officer. The time commitment will increase as your level of participation and responsibility increases. Remember, the more you put into the sorority, the more you will get out of it.

Can I still work and be in a sorority?
Absolutely! Most of the women in UNO's sorority work at least part-time. But it is important to realize that your sisters will expect you to make your sorority obligations a priority. Every sorority has mandatory events, and you will be given advance notice of them so you can schedule time off from work.

Do the sororities hang out with guys from one particular fraternity?
No. None of the sororities has a "brother" fraternity. Instead, the sororities plan functions and activities with all of the fraternities.

Can I still be friends with my high school friends if they join another sorority?
Yes! Although you will spend a lot of time with the women in the sorority you join, you will still have time for friends in other sororities and, of course, non-Greek friends too. The women in UNO's sororities are all part of the Panhellenic Association, which encourages everyone to maintain strong friendships with people in other sororities. Panhellenic sponsors programs and social activities for all sorority women.

Is Recruitment only for freshman women?
Not at all! Sorority life has many wonderful opportunities to offer to all college women. There is no reason for you to miss out on the experience because you are not a freshman. All college women are encouraged to participate in Recruitment regardless of their year in college. Panhellenic offers everyone the opportunity to experience the many benefits of sorority life.

Who do I talk to if I have a question during Recruitment about which sorority to join, whether I'll be able to afford it, whether sororities are right for me, etc.?
Sigma Rho Chi's (Sorority Recruitment Counselors) are here to aid you in the recruitment process. Although they are active members of their sororities, the Sigma Rho Chis will disaffiliate from their chapters during the recruitment events in order to help and advise Potential New Members in an objective manner. They don't want your feelings about them as individuals to influence your decisions about a particular sorority. The Sigma Rho Chis are trustworthy listeners who can answer your questions in an unbiased way. Everything you talk with them about will remain confidential.

What should I wear to each round of Recruitment?
Here are some suggestions regarding outfits that are appropriate for each round of Recruitment. These will give you an idea of how people will be dressed. Keep in mind that everything you need is probably already in your closet. Learn more >>

What do I do if I can't come to one of the Recruitment events?
We have tried to schedule Recruitment events so that most students will be finished with classes for the day and can attend. However, we understand that you may still have to miss an event or come late. If that is the case, please let your Sorority Recruitment Counselor know as soon as possible. In order to receive an invitation to Saturday's Preference Events and have the chance to receive a bid, you MUST attend at least two events for each sorority.

Does going through Recruitment guarantee me a bid?
Although the Panhellenic Association would love to be able to guarantee every prospective member a place in a chapter, there is no guarantee. Recruitment is based on mutual selection. The chapters will vote on whom they would like to extend invitations to while you are deciding which chapters you would like to eliminate. Movies and television have made recruitment seem like a vicious process, but as long as you follow your heart, you should find the sorority for you. In the past five years, fewer than 1% of women who attended the Preference round did not receive a bid.

Does being a legacy guarantee me a bid?
No. Contrary to popular myths, being a legacy -- meaning that your mother, sister, or grandmother is a member of a certain sorority -- does not guarantee that a PNM will be offered membership in her family member's organization. Most organizations will extend special courtesy to legacies, but they are not obligated to invite them into membership.

What is a Recommendation (Rec)?
If you have a sorority member in your family, this is probably a familiar term to you. But if you're like the majority of Potential New Members, the concept of a "recommendation" is probably new to you. A recommendation is a personal reference provided by an alumna of a sorority to her organization's chapter at UNO. In the recommendation, she will write about your talents and skills that would contribute to the sorority. The purpose of a rec is to give a sorority chapter the chance to learn more about you before Recruitment. It is a personal introduction in addition to their copy of your Recruitment registration form.

Is a rec necessary?
No. It is just a way sorority members can be introduced to you before Recruitment begins. Recs are optional. Don't worry about securing recs; you will not be penalized if you do not have them. It is the sorority's responsibility to obtain a recommendation on you if they need it.

If someone I know wants to send a rec for me, where can she send it?
Recommendations may be sent to the following address:

Attn: Dr.Pam Rault, Ph.D
Greek Life Advisor,

Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
University Center, room 222
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148

Will having a rec ensure that I will get a bid?
No. A recommendation does not guarantee a bid.

I'm not sure I can go through Recruitment in September. What are the dates when it is going to be in the spring?
The Panhellenic Council does not sponsor or organize a spring recruitment. Some chapters continue to recruit and extend bids to women throughout the school year. Events are organized and scheduled at each chapter's convenience. If you want the opportunity to interact with all of our sororities before making your sorority choice, and if you want the best chance of being able to join a sorority, you should participate in Recruitment this fall.

I want to join Delta Sigma Theta (Delta), Sigma Gamma Rho (SGRho), or Zeta Phi Beta (Zeta). Should I sign up for Recruitment?
No. Panhellenic Recruitment is only one way to become a member of the Greek community at UNO. The university's 3 historically black sororities -- Delta Sigma Theta (Delta), Sigma Gamma Rho (SGRho), or Zeta Phi Beta (Zeta) -- are affiliated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). NPHC fraternities and sororities bring in new members through a process called Membership Intake. You can learn more about NPHC and how Membership Intake works by clicking here.