The glitz and glamour associated with sorority recruitment will diminish as a result of several new restrictions placed on fall recruitment at ASU.
The Panhellenic Council, the governing body of the 12 sororities at ASU, has decided to implement several changes in the fall recruitment process.
Changes to recruitment will include a $500 decrease for chapter recruitment budgets to $1,500. Props or backdrops from each chapter's assigned room in the Memorial Union during recruitment will be eliminated. Only Panhellenic-approved bid-day shirts can be worn on the day girls find out which sorority has accepted them.
These changes are in the best interest of both potential members and the chapters, said Sara Owen, vice president of membership on the Panhellenic Council.
Jessica Wanner, Alpha Gamma Delta member and microbiology and justice studies senior, said the changes were good because the old system of recruitment was intimidating.
"When I went through recruitment in fall 2001, all the sororities had different themes for each day and they all wore the exact same outfit, the exact same shoes and they were all clapping and singing [in their individual rooms]. To me, it was overwhelming and kind of scary," Wanner said.
In addition, any slideshows presented by a chapter must be informational and can include national history, local history, foundation, scholarships, awards, events, leadership, finance, famous alumnae and new member education.
Slideshows may no longer be tied to a theme. Also, chapters cannot ask members to all wear matching outfits, but they can suggest that all members wear a similar item of clothing.
Uniforms or costuming will no longer be allowed. This rule is in place so that members will be able to feel comfortable in the outfits they wear while recruiting new members, Owen said.
"We, the Greek community, feel that it is important for women going through recruitment to be well informed, comfortable, excited and welcomed," she said.
These changes will not affect fraternity recruitment because fraternities are governed by the Interfraternity Council, which is separate from the sorority governing board -- the Panhellenic Council.
Reach the reporter at jourdan.rassas@asu.edu.
