Though it may be only the second full week of classes at Elon University, Greek life is back in full swing. Sororities have begun their weekly chapter meetings that include the process of training their sisters in recruitment policies and practices.
Sorority recruitment does not officially begin until January 2015, now is the time when many first-year female students begin learning about the different sororities at Elon. Although there are many beneficial aspects to joining a sorority, those wishing to go through the recruitment process should be fully aware of all that is expected of a member of Greek life.
With roughly 55 percent of women on the Elon campus affiliated with Greek life in some way, Elon faces realization it needs to add more sororities to accommodate the growing numbers of those involved. Before they move in that direction, the Office of Greek Life and the Panhellenic Council plan to teach potential recruits about the whole package of what it means to be Greek.
It is well-known that sororities offer a platform from which women can meet other like-minded women and make Lifelong connections. However, other aspects of sorority life are lesser-known by many going through recruitment.
The fact that the Office of Greek Life is making an intentional effort in seeking to inform this year’s recruitment class about what it means to be in a sorority is exactly what was missing from the recruitment process in past years. The office has made efforts to educate women about what it is like to be a member of a sorority in the past, this new initiative should better prepare women for Greek life.
This winter, women going through recruitment will know that there is more to being in a sorority than simply making new friends. Academics is another focus of Greek life that is not always at the forefront of the discussion when talking about sororities. Everyone involved in a sorority is held to a certain standard which is dictated by both Elon and the organization they get invited to join. In order to participate fully in Greek life, one must maintain consistent academic success.
Another major aspect of being involved in a sorority is philanthropy. All of Elon’s sororities work with charities and focus a great deal on philanthropic work. Such work is a true time commitment in addition to academic expectations. It is impossible to know where people will end up at the end of the recruitment process this winter. The Office of Greek Life encourages and reminds all those who wish to go through the process to keep an open mind while meeting with the various organizations. With that being said, it is possible for potential new members to educate themselves about the process beforehand so that there will be no surprises after bid day.
The hope is that through this new educational initiative led by the Office of Greek Life the hundreds of women who go through recruitment will know exactly what will be expected of them. According to Greek life directors here at Elon, since 2009, the involvement in sororities has skyrocketed. Across the country, more and more women are choosing to go through the recruitment process and get involved with a certain sorority.
The Office of Greek Life has said that this more aggressive educational process will cut down the numbers of those going through the recruitment process while increasing the knowledge of what is expected of a sorority member.
Elon’s decision to modify the recruitment process instead of creating a new sorority and bulding a new house in the Loy Center is a wise plan. The addition of a new organization would be costly. This new educational effort led by the Panhellenic council should cut down the number of women involved in the process.
Not only is this plan financially beneficial to the university, but it is also beneficial for all the sororities on campus, because they are now choosing from a better-educated group who know what it means to be in a sorority.