University Panhellenic Council Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Panhellenic Recruitment schedule?
Who participates in Panhellenic Formal Recruitment in the Fall?
Who is eligible for Recruitment?
How do I register for Recruitment?
What are reference or recommendation letters?
Where can I mail my reference or recommendation letters?
What is the financial obligation for Sorority membership?
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?

What is the Panhellenic Recruitment schedule?
Wednesday, August 19-Opening Convocation, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 20-Open House, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, August 21-Period I (Philanthropy), 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22-Period I (Philanthropy), 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, August 23-Period II (Skit) 3:00 p.m.
Monday, August 24-Period III (Preference) 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25-Bid Day (Bid Day Convocation), 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26-Fall semester classes start

Who participates in Panhellenic Formal Recruitment in the Fall?
While UPC represents 14 NPC organizations, Sigma Delta Tau does not currently participate in formal recruitment events. The ladies of Sigma Delta Tau will have a chance to talk about their process at Opening convocation and they will host COB events at the conclusion of formal recruitment. The organizations that participate in formal recruitment are as follows:

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. Visit www.texasgreeks.com and register online. You will be asked to upload a photo as well as have the option to pay online, however it is acceptable to mail in your payment if you would rather not use the online payment option. In this case your check would follow the fee timeline for the online submission.

IF YOU GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL BEFORE MAY or JUNE 2009 YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT. Please mail your transcript to the address below or deliver to Greek Life and Intercultural Education on the 4th floor of the Student Services Building. Transcripts must be received no later than 7:00pm on August 19th in order for your registration to be complete.

The University Panhellenic Council
Attn: UPC Advisor 1 University Station, A5800
Austin, Texas 78712

Registration Fee Timeline:
$70.00 if register online by 11:59am on July 31, 2009
$85.00 if register online after 12:00am on August 1, 2009
$80 if postmarked by July 31, 2009
$85 if postmarked after July 31, 2009

August 18, 2009 at 5:00pm will conclude registration for The University Panhellenic Council Recruitment 2009.

What are reference or recommendation letters?
Reference and recommendation letters are written by sorority alumnae members and introduce a potential new member to the chapter and describe more about the potential new member's activities. You may choose to have reference or recommendation letters sent on your behalf to all sororities participating in formal recruitment.

Two ways to obtain a reference or recommendation:

1. Register with your local alumnae panhellenic - This will provide you with an opportunity to gain assistance in getting reference letters, possibly meet sorority alumnae in your area, and attend a recruitment information session. The registration form that you will complete for your local alumnae panhellenic will be very similar to the form you will complete for the University Panhellenic Council. If you need the name of the local alumnae panhellenic representative nearest you, visit the Web at www.texasgreeks.com or please call the Greek Life and Intercultural Education office at 512-471-9700. Most Alumnae Panhellenic Associations start collecting registration forms in early spring, therefore it is best to take care of that as soon as possible.
2. You may seek out and obtain sorority alumna to write letters on your behalf - 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.

Reference and recommendation letters do not guarantee the potential new member a bid. Many of our sororities require a reference from an alumna member of their sorority before a woman can join, however they are not essential for every sorority. All letters may be sent directly to the chapter house address. If you or the sorority alumna have questions regarding references, please contact your local alumnae panhellenic, a greek advisor at a university near you, the national organization headquarters, or GLIE at (512) 471-9700.

Where can I mail my reference or recommendation letters?
There are 14 Panhellenic chapters represented on campus, 13 of them have a chapter house. The addresses below are located in Austin, TX 78705. Recommendation forms are mailed directly to the chapter house. To see a map of the houses, click here.

Alpha Chi Omega, 2420 Nueces
Alpha Delta Pi, 2620 Rio Grande
Alpha Epsilon Phi, 2500 Rio Grande
Alpha Phi, 2005 University Avenue
Alpha Xi Delta, 2508 Rio Grande
Chi Omega, 2711 Rio Grande
Delta Delta Delta, 503 West 27th St.
Delta Gamma, 2419 Rio Grande
Kappa Alpha Theta, 2401 Pearl
Kappa Delta, 2315 Nueces
Kappa Kappa Gamma, 2001 University
Pi Beta Phi, 2300 San Antonio
Sigma Delta Tau - No House
Zeta Tau Alpha, 2711 Nueces

What is the financial obligation for Sorority membership?
It is important for students and parents to be as informed as possible regarding the costs associated with obtaining a college education. Understanding the financial obligations associated with sorority membership is just as important. During formal recruitment, a potential member should ask sorority members about financial obligations and payment options as each sorority sets its own fees and housing costs as well as the payment schedules.

Required Fees
Chapter fees fund various activities of the organization such as academic programs, service activities, alumni and parent events, national dues and lifetime membership. The ranges below reflect the low and high cost per semester including 2008-2009 dues and fees:

*Includes room and board

Additional/Optional Fees
Additional costs throughout the semester may include parking at the chapter house**, optional meal plans, pictures, gifts, social events, T-shirts, etc. **Parking availability and cost will vary by chapter

Several chapters at the University of Texas at Austin offer payment plans and scholarships for members who need financial assistance. Please note that when you become a new member of a sorority, you are affiliating with that organization. If at any time you decide to disaffiliate, you may still be held responsible for fees or payments required to fulfill your contract with the organization.

Should I attend The University of Texas at Austin'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. This is a great question to ask the active members as you meet them during recruitment.

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.

If you have other questions about the Panhellenic Council or Recruitment, contact: Office of the Dean of Students, Greek Life and Intercultural Education, 1 University Station A5800, Austin, TX 78712-0175, Phone: (512) 471-9700, Fax: (512) 232-3963 or visit the Web at www.texasgreeks.com.