Panhellenic Recruitment FAQs

What is the Panhellenic Association?

The Panhellenic Association (PHA) is the governing council for Panhellenic sororities at Missouri State University. PHA works with its member chapters to support the sorority experience and coordinate Panhellenic programs and membership recruitment.

College Panhellenic Associations operate within the framework established by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), including NPC Unanimous Agreements, policies, and applicable recruitment procedures.

How do I join a Panhellenic sorority?

Students may explore Panhellenic sorority membership through Primary Recruitment or, when available, Continuous Open Bidding (COB).

Primary Recruitment is the Panhellenic-coordinated recruitment process in which participating sororities hold events for the purpose of selecting new members.

COB is a less structured membership opportunity that may be offered by eligible chapters outside of Primary Recruitment. Not every chapter participates in COB, and opportunities may vary throughout the year.

Who is eligible to participate in Panhellenic Recruitment?

To participate in Panhellenic Recruitment, a potential new member must be an undergraduate student who is regularly matriculated at the university and cannot be simultaneously enrolled in high school and college.

A student who has previously been initiated into an NPC sorority is not eligible for membership in another NPC sorority.

Individual sororities establish their own membership selection and academic requirements. Students are encouraged to consider their academic performance when exploring membership opportunities.

Is there a minimum GPA required to participate in recruitment?

The Panhellenic Association does not establish a minimum GPA requirement for participation in Panhellenic Recruitment.

Each NPC member organization establishes its own academic requirements for membership. Because these requirements may vary by chapter, meeting the requirements to participate in recruitment does not guarantee that a student meets the membership requirements of every sorority.

Do I need to be a first-year student to participate?

No. Panhellenic membership opportunities are not limited to first-year students. Eligible undergraduate students may participate in recruitment and explore sorority membership.

Do I need to know someone in a sorority to participate?

No. You do not need to know a current sorority member to participate in recruitment.

Recruitment is designed to provide potential new members with opportunities to meet chapter members, ask questions, and learn more about the values, membership experience, and community of each participating sorority.

Do I need a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is not required to participate in Panhellenic Recruitment.

Individual NPC member organizations may have their own policies regarding recommendations or membership information. Questions about an individual sorority’s policies should be directed to that organization.

What should I expect during Primary Recruitment?

During Primary Recruitment, potential new members will have opportunities to meet members of the participating Panhellenic sororities and learn about their values, sisterhood, service and philanthropy, membership experience, and other aspects of chapter life.

Recruitment is a mutual selection process. As chapters make membership decisions, potential new members also have opportunities to consider which organizations best align with their interests and values.

Students are encouraged to keep an open mind, ask questions, and make decisions based on their own experiences throughout the process.

What is a recruitment counselor?

Recruitment counselors are current Panhellenic sorority members who serve as representatives of the Panhellenic community during recruitment.

Their role is to provide potential new members with impartial guidance, answer questions about the recruitment process, and help students navigate their recruitment experience. Recruitment counselors are expected to support all Panhellenic chapters rather than promote one organization over another.

What rights do I have during recruitment?

Potential new members have the right to receive factual information, ask questions, receive objective answers, and make their own membership decisions without undue pressure.

Students should also expect to be treated with respect, have appropriate confidentiality when speaking with recruitment counselors, and have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment experience.

How much does it cost to join a Panhellenic sorority?

Membership costs vary by chapter.

Before extending a bid, each participating chapter is required to provide potential new members with detailed information about the financial obligations of membership, including dues, chapter fees, assessments, and other applicable costs.

Students are encouraged to review this information carefully and ask questions about payment expectations, payment plans, and additional expenses before accepting membership.

How much time does sorority membership require?

The time commitment varies by organization and may change throughout a member’s college experience.

Members may participate in chapter meetings, sisterhood activities, academic programs, leadership opportunities, service and philanthropy events, and social activities. New members may also participate in additional educational programs as they learn about their organization.

Students should consider how sorority membership will fit with their academics, employment, campus involvement, and other responsibilities.

If I don't drink alcohol, will I still fit in?

Yes. Alcohol consumption is not a requirement for Panhellenic sorority membership.

College Panhellenic-planned or sponsored events are required by NPC policy to be alcohol-free. Individual chapters also maintain their own risk-management policies and are expected to follow applicable university policies and laws.

Will I be hazed?

Hazing is not an acceptable part of the Panhellenic sorority experience. NPC and its member organizations maintain policies opposing hazing.

Students have the right to a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member experience and should never feel pressured to participate in activities that compromise their safety or well-being.

What is Continuous Open Bidding (COB)?

Continuous Open Bidding, commonly called COB, is an opportunity for eligible Panhellenic chapters to offer membership outside of the Primary Recruitment process.

COB is less structured than Primary Recruitment, and individual chapters determine how they conduct their COB activities. Participation varies by chapter, so COB opportunities are not guaranteed.

Students do not have to participate in Primary Recruitment before being eligible for COB.

Do I have to register for COB?

NPC does not require potential new members to register with the Panhellenic Association in order to participate in COB.

Students interested in COB should watch for information from eligible chapters and Panhellenic about available membership opportunities.

What is a bid?

A bid is an invitation to membership from a sorority.

Receiving a bid is an important step in the membership process, and students should make sure they understand the responsibilities and expectations associated with accepting membership before making their decision.

What is the MRABA?

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) is an agreement used as part of the Panhellenic membership process.

During Primary Recruitment, a potential new member completes the MRABA following the final preference round before receiving a bid through the bid-matching process. A version of the MRABA is also used when accepting a bid through COB.

Students will receive information about the agreement and its implications before signing it.

What happens if I don't receive a bid during Primary Recruitment?

A potential new member who completes the bid-matching process but does not receive a bid is immediately eligible to explore membership through Continuous Open Bidding, if COB opportunities are available.

Students may also choose to participate in a future Primary Recruitment process.

What happens if I receive a bid and decide not to accept it?

The answer depends on where you are in the recruitment process and whether you have signed a Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement.

Because signing an MRABA can affect eligibility for membership in another NPC sorority until the next Primary Recruitment period, students should carefully review the agreement and ask questions before signing.

Can I withdraw from Primary Recruitment?

Yes. Participation in recruitment is voluntary, and a student may choose to withdraw from the process.

Before withdrawing, students are encouraged to speak with their recruitment counselor or Panhellenic staff so they can better understand their options and how the decision may affect future membership opportunities.

Why should I consider joining a Panhellenic sorority?

Panhellenic sorority membership can provide opportunities to build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, participate in service and philanthropy, receive academic support, and become more connected to the campus community.

Each sorority offers a unique membership experience. Recruitment provides an opportunity to learn about those organizations and decide whether Panhellenic membership is right for you.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Students with questions about Panhellenic Recruitment, eligibility, or the overall recruitment process are encouraged to contact the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life in the Office of Student Engagement.

Questions about an individual sorority’s membership requirements or membership selection process should be directed to that organization.