Frequently Asked University Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Questions

Who is eligible for recruitment?
How do I register for Recruitment?
What are references?
Should I attend UT's summer orientation?
Where do I live during recruitment week?
Should I bring a car for recruitment week?
How much time does a sorority take?
How long will it take to be initiated?
What is Spring Recruitment?

Who is eligible for recruitment?
A woman is eligible to participate in recruitment and join a sorority if she is enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin as a full-time student. A full-time student is defined as taking twelve credit hours per semester, excluding correspondence courses and courses at other universities. She must not be a new member or initiated member of any National Panhellenic Conference sorority.

How do I register for Recruitment?
The only group that you are required to register with for recruitment is The University of Texas University Panhellenic Council. You should do that by completing the downloadable registration form . Please follow the instructions when completing the registration form and mail your information back to the University of Texas University Panhellenic Council no later than July 31, 2008, to avoid a late fee.

What are references?
You may have references sent to our fourteen sororities on your behalf.

Many of our sororities require a reference from an alumna member of their sorority before a woman can join. References introduce a potential new member to the chapter telling more about the potential new member. Once an alumna has offered or been asked to write a reference, she may request some information from you. The alumna writing the reference is solely responsible for obtaining the appropriate form from her national organization, completing the form, and mailing it to the correct destination. You should not be involved in that process. Panhellenic does not have reference forms available nor can it obtain them for potential new members. If you encounter a sorority alumna with questions, please have her call Greek Life and Intercultural Education at (512) 471-9700. References do not guarantee the potential new member a bid, nor are they essential for every sorority. References may be sent to the chapter house address. If you need any help regarding references, please contact your local Alumnae Panhellenic (link to this page in the website) or the UT University Panhellenic Council(link to their page under GLIE communities).

Should I attend UT's summer orientation?
Yes! Orientation allows you to take placement tests, to earn college credit, pre-register for classes and become acquainted with the campus. It is wise to take placement tests in the summer, or you may have to take them during Recruitment Week and be unable to attend recruitment events. A session on Greek Life will be presented as a program during Orientation. Please come to meet representatives of the Greek community and to ask any questions you may have.

Where do I live during recruitment week?
You will live where you plan to reside during the school year. You will need to contact your residence hall to find out what the move-in date is and to make the appropriate arrangements as there may be a prorated cost associated with early move-in.

Should I bring a car for recruitment week?
No. The chapter houses are within walking distance of the residence halls. The University Panhellenic Council encourages you to take safety precautions such as going in groups and crossing streets carefully. Because parking will be COMPLETELY UNAVAILABLE, potential new members cannot drive or be driven. Privately chartered buses will be provided by the University Panhellenic Council each day to help potential new members get between the furthest distances in a timely manner to or from any recruitment event or convocation.

How much time does a sorority take?
There is a required meeting once a week where you will exchange information on chapter events and fraternity education. Weekly chapter study sessions are a programming option for all members, in addition to events like sisterhood activities, community service projects, and social events. Remember, the more you put into the sorority, the more you will get out of it.

How long will it take to be initiated?
Most chapters have moved to a period which ranges from four to twelve weeks. The new-member period affords opportunities to meet other members, learn fraternity history and feel at home in the chapter. Each chapter establishes its own new-member program and initiation dates.

What is Spring Recruitment?
The University of Texas University Panhellenic Council does not sponsor or organize a formal spring recruitment. Some chapters continue to recruit and pledge women throughout the school year. Events are organized and scheduled at each chapter's convenience. If you want the opportunity to interact with all fourteen of our sororities before making your sorority choice, then you should participate in fall formal recruitment.