The Formal Recruitment Process:
How it works...
The Panhellenic community prioritizes the pursuit of an inclusive and diverse environment. We welcome all regularly matriculated female identified UCSB students to register for Panhellenic recruitment. We will never stop working toward making this space a comfortable and loving one for all who wish to be a part of it.
Through a mutual-selection process, potential new members (PNMs) have the opportunity to meet active chapter women and visit eight chapter houses. As the week progresses, both PNMs and chapters will narrow their choices. At the end of the week, bids to chapters are extended.
FALL 2020 FORMAL RECRUITMENT UPDATE:
In light of Chancellor Yang’s recent email and in order to preserve the health and well-being of our Greek members and the UCSB community as a whole, UCSB Collegiate Panhellenic has decided Panhellenic sorority recruitment will be held virtually this fall. A virtual formal recruitment will allow potential new members (PNMs), who have chosen a virtual fall quarter and thus will not be on campus, to participate while remaining physically distant. Furthermore, virtual recruitment decreases the risk of a COVID outbreak in Isla Vista, UCSB, and Santa Barbara communities. In order to participate in the virtual formal recruitment process this fall, you must register online through our website and pay a $25 fee. Registration will open July 1st.
We are excited to be able to host a fair and safe process that will allow female-identified students the opportunity to find a home in the Panhellenic community here at UCSB. Although recruitment this fall will be held virtually, the membership experience itself may not be entirely virtual, depending on the decisions of individual chapters, which are still being made. Any individual who wishes to do a fully remote experience for fall may do so; our chapters are actively working together to ensure a virtual membership experience is as rewarding and engaging as possible.
Virtual Formal Recruitment 2020 FAQ
What will I need to participate in virtual recruitment?
First, you must register online and pay the $25 fee. During formal recruitment, be sure to have access to a computer, stable internet, and a quiet environment with no interruptions. Everything will be conducted via your UCSB provided zoom account. If you think you may not have access to any of those things, please contact the VP Recruitment at vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org or at (805) 394-8945.
Why is formal recruitment going to be completely virtual this fall?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all aspects of formal recruitment this fall will be held virtually. The Panhellenic Executive Council, along with chapter presidents and recruitment chairs, made this decision in consultation with the office of Student Leadership & Engagement at UCSB and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which is the governing body of the 26 member organizations. The health and safety of our community and potential new members was at the forefront of all decisions pertaining to the structure of fall recruitment, and it still remains our top priority moving forward. Furthermore, a virtual formal recruitment decreases the risk of a COVID outbreak in Isla Vista, UCSB, and Santa Barbara communities. To put things into perspective, approximately 1500 women participate in our recruitment process. With such a large number of people interacting with one another, it causes our communities to be extremely vulnerable to a potential COVID outbreak.
Why not defer formal recruitment to winter quarter?
Deferring formal recruitment would be a significant financial risk for chapters, and an in-person formal recruitment in winter may not be an option if there is an increase in COVID cases. Therefore, the costly risks and continued uncertainty connected to deferring formal recruitment led Panhellenic to decide conducting formal recruitment virtually is the best and safest option. The membership experience is not contingent on the presence of a chapter facility or in person events. The membership experience is where women can build connections and find a support system, which is more important now during this time of unprecedented uncertainty.
Who will help me navigate this process prior to and during formal recruitment?
Rho Gammas (Recruitment Counselors) are Panhellenic women who temporarily "disaffiliate" from their chapter to provide unbiased advice during the recruitment experience for every potential new member. As registrations are processed, PNMs will be placed in a Rho Gamma group. Leading up to formal recruitment, Rho Gammas will be reaching out via the email and/or phone number provided in the PNM registration to begin building relationships and sharing important information. During the week of formal recruitment, your Rho Gamma will continue to guide you through the process and be your confidential sounding board.
How can I learn more?
As we and the chapters continue planning and finalizing the details of Panhellenic sorority operations for both recruitment and beyond, we will continue to update our social media (@ucsbpanhellenic) and website (ucsbpanhellenic.org) with pertinent information. There is also a fraternity and sorority life session during summer orientation that can help give a broad overview of some of the benefits of the sorority experience. After registering for Panhellenic sorority recruitment, potential new members will also complete an online module, where you will learn more specifically about Panhellenic life and the recruitment process. The Panhellenic executive board will host an orientation during the week of recruitment as well, which will help you learn about and understand the recruitment process at UCSB, along with all the information needed to know about the upcoming week and the next four years of college. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email our President (president@ucsbpanhellenic.org) or our VP Recruitment (vprecruitment@ucsbpanhellenic.org). You can also call or text Panhellenic at (805) 394-8945
The following chapters are participating in 2020 Fall Formal Recruitment:
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Phi
Delta Gamma
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Additional Information
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY: Sorority recruitment applications must be completed online no later than Friday, September 25th, 2020 at 11:59 PM. All female-identified students registering for recruitment must be regularly matriculated undergraduate students and enrolled at UC Santa Barbara. Fall enrollment fees ($25.00) must be received electronically during the registration process prior to the application deadline.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE: The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and University policy, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, physical and mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.
ACADEMIC RECORD RELEASE: I understand that to apply for recruitment, I must identify as female, and be a regularly enrolled, full-time student in good standing with UC Santa Barbara. I authorize UC Santa Barbara University's Office of Student Life, and Panhellenic Council to verify my academic eligibility. PLEASE NOTE: Most of our chapters require a GPA of 2.5 or higher for initiation.
PARTICIPATING CHAPTERS: The following chapters will participate in the Fall 2020 Sorority Recruitment Process: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi. Phi Sigma Rho Sorority is an associate member of UCSB Collegiate Panhellenic Council and will not participate in the formal recruitment process. For more information about joining Phi Sigma Rho - Alpha Xi Chapter, please visit their website http://ucsantabarbara.phisigmarho.org/ and fill out their interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddavqdVydkfpbZ3gIGA8fUyXWff_1JcUN1GnsClqFO7sPSXQ/viewform .
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT?
All female-identified students registering for recruitment must be regularly matriculated undergraduate students and enrolled at UC Santa Barbara.
PLACEMENT DISCLOSURE: I understand that by participating in Panhellenic Fall Sorority Recruitment, I am not guaranteed an invitation to join a sorority chapter. I acknowledge that by following the recruitment schedule and attending all events, my chances of receiving an invitation to participating chapters may increase.
