The basics
What is the Panhellenic Council?
The Panhellenic Council is the largest social organization and women's organization on NYU's campus. We serve as a liaison between the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and NYU Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). As the Panhellenic Council, we are responsible for fostering growth and unity amongst our chapters through the by-laws set forth by both NPC and our university!
What Panhellenic sororities are at NYU?
There are 7 Panhellenic sororities here at NYU!
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Alpha Sigma Tau
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Zeta Tau Alpha
Visit the Our Chapters page to learn more about each organization!
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Alpha Sigma Tau
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Zeta Tau Alpha
Visit the Our Chapters page to learn more about each organization!
Can I join more than one sorority?
No. Though you can get to know most, if not all, organizations through the recruitment process, you can only accept one bid from an NPC organization. There are other Greek letter organizations on campus that are based around professions, community service and multicultural groups. Students are able to join both an NPC organization as well as one of the aforementioned Greek-letter organizations .
Registering for recruitment
How do I join a sorority?
In order to join a sorority, it is required that every member go through formal or informal recruitment. Formal recruitment for 2020 will be conducted in the fall! Participation throughout the entire Recruitment process is expected. It is also important to note that NYU Panhellenic does not host a formalized spring recruitment. If you are unable to participate in fall formal recruitment, but are interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). COB begins immediately following the end of the formal recruitment process and is a process by which organizations may extend bids to women outside of the formal setting. COB may also be held in the spring semester; however, not all sororities participate in COB.
What are the requirements to join a sorority?
To join a Panhellenic sorority, you must be a fully registered undergraduate student of New York University at the time of formal Recruitment! You may join during any semester during your time at NYU, keeping in mind that formal recruitment only runs in the fall semester. Apart from these two conditions there are no other requirements to participate in recruitment.!
While NYU’s Panhellenic Council does not require a specific GPA to participate in formal recruitment or COB, each sorority sets its own criteria for membership, which may include maintaining a certain GPA. Every sorority aims to maintain a high chapter GPA, therefore each must consider a woman’s ability to adhere to the chapter's scholastic standards. As such, it is recommended that women participating in formal recruitment or COB have at or above a 3.0 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time they are seeking membership into a sorority!
While NYU’s Panhellenic Council does not require a specific GPA to participate in formal recruitment or COB, each sorority sets its own criteria for membership, which may include maintaining a certain GPA. Every sorority aims to maintain a high chapter GPA, therefore each must consider a woman’s ability to adhere to the chapter's scholastic standards. As such, it is recommended that women participating in formal recruitment or COB have at or above a 3.0 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time they are seeking membership into a sorority!
Is registration necessary to participate in Primary Recruitment?
Yes, registration is required. Panhellenic collects the information provided during registration for our chapters and for you to receive a schedule.
If I decide not to participate in recruitment, is my registration fee refundable?
No. Unfortunately, all registration fees are nonrefundable. This is stated when you register for recruitment. Before you register for recruitment, please take this into consideration.
Will I receive confirmation after registering for recruitment?
Yes you should receive an email! More information about recruitment will be posted on this site, as well as our social media throughout the summer! If you would like more information on the sororities at NYU and what to expect at Recruitment, the 2020 Sorority Recruitment Guide will available online at the end of August.
Do I need a recomendation letter to join a sorority at NYU?
A recomendation letter is a letter from an initiated woman or alumna of one of our seven sororities. This woman can be a family member or a friend and did not have to attend NYU to recommend you! At other schools, these letters are extremely important in joining a sorority, however at NYU they are not valued as highly. While they fill be factored into your profile, the sororities at NYU recruit more holistically and value who you are as a person! So if you don't have a recommendation letter, do not worry!
Recruitment
If I go through recruitment, am I obligated to join a sorority?
No, primary recruitment is an opportunity to explore Panhellenic Sorority Life! If you decide it is not right for you, you may withdraw process any time before signing the MRABA. The MRABA is a form binding you to accept a bid from whichever organization invites you to join. However, if you do choose not to accept a bid after you have signed the MRABA, you will be ineligible to pledge another Panhellenic Association organization until the next formal recruitment, or 1 calendar year.
Am I guaranteed a bid after going through recruitment?
The majority of the women participating in Recruitment are invited to join a chapter at the end of the process. However, participating in formal Recruitment does not guarantee a bid for membership. However, the chance that a PNM is released from the process or does not receive a bid at the end of formal Recruitment is rare.
What is a "Rho Gamma"
At the start of Recruitment, every potential new member (PNM) is assigned to a rho gamma group! A rho gamma, otherwise known as a recruitment counselor, is a member of a Panhellenic sorority at NYU who has disaffiliated to help YOU and a few other PNMs through the process. Your rho gamma will be the unbiased person who gives you any and all important information, such as what time to arrive, what sororities you're scheduled for, and more! They serve as your personal guide for all things related to Fraternity and Sorority Life at NYU. While you are assigned a single Rho Gammas, all of the Rho Gammas and the Panhellenic Executive Board are there to help you find your home and have the best possible Recruitment experience.
What if I have a commitment and will miss a recruitment event?
If you are going to miss a sorority recruitment event, let your Rho Gamma know as soon as possible. She will notify the Panhellenic executive board, and they will make sure that you are marked as absent. If your Rho Gamma is not made aware of any conflicts, and you do not show up for an event, you can be removed from recruitment for missing an event without prior notice.
In the event that an emergency situation arises, inform your Rho Gamma or anyone on Panhellenic Executive Board. We will try our best to reach a solution for you!
In the event that an emergency situation arises, inform your Rho Gamma or anyone on Panhellenic Executive Board. We will try our best to reach a solution for you!
Can I go through recruitment as an upperclassman or transfer student?
Yes! Each year, we see a large portion of upperclassmen and transfer students go through Recruitment. As long as you are a full-time undergraduate student at NYU and have not been initiated into another NPC sorority at another school, you are welcome to participate in Recruitment.
Will my sexual orientation or race factor into me being offered a bid?
No! In Panhellenic, we pride ourselves in embracing all women, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. Our organizations select members based on who you are, not who you are attracted to or the color of your skin. There are Safe Zone trainings available to fraternities and sororities, and many in the community are outspoken allies for themselves and their peers. If you ever feel as if you are being discriminated against because of one of these factors, let a member on the panhellenic executive board know immediately!
What if I'm not a "typical" sorority girl?
At NYU, we believe there is no such thing as a typical sorority girl, and a look into our community supports this notion! We have women that come from all walks of life and we value individuality! NYU itself is vastly different from colleges around the world, and as such our Fraternity and Sorority Life reflects this diversity. In each organization, there is opportunity to find someone like yourself in one way or another.
As a Member . . .
What is the time commitment of being in a sorority?
The most popular phrase you'll hear in relation to this question is "you get out of it what you put into it!" There are minimum requirements that are fairly common in all organizations (weekly chapter, mandatory rituals, etc.) but otherwise the time commitment is dependent on what role you want to take in the organization. While each sorority’s requirements differ, a general estimate is anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be helping with a community service project, planning an event, or regular weekly meetings, members have learned to manage their time wisely. It is important to note that during the initial New Member process more time will be required. At the same time, each chapter understands the importance of scholarship and will always encourage you to prioritize school first!
I know each sorority has dues. What is the financial commitment for each chapter?
Each of the sororities require that their members pay a certain amount of money each semester, knowns as dues. The first semester you are in a sorority (the new member period) is more expensive due to the activities and expenses associated with the process leading up to your initiation. Chapters' dues are published in the Panhellenic guide book, however you are encouraged to ask sisters about costs and possible scholarships or financial aid during recruitment events!
Do the sororities at NYU have houses?
Sororities at NYU technically do not have houses, however organizations have the option to occupy the top floor of Lafayette Hall in "penthouses." Four Panhellenic sororities (Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi) at NYU currently live in the suites on this floor. The remainder of our sororities do not have a penthouse or other formal house. The penthouse is used for many things including chapter meetings, recruitment events, sisterhood events, studying, and just hanging out with sisters. Every chapter has different housing requirements, so be sure to ask about housing during recruitment, however no one is required to live in the house! There are also no additional fees imposed by NYU Housing for living on the sorority floor.
What is the new member process like?
Each sorority has its own new member program, and the process typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks. The purpose of the new member program is universal; to educate new members on the organization's values and history. Chapters aim to make the programs fun and interesting for the new members leading up to initiation, and most chapters assign big/little pairs during this period! There is absolutely no hazing in any of the organizations' new member processes.
Will joining a sorority help me find a job or internship?
A large portion of the women in sororities have a job or internship! Sisters can make great contacts for internships and prospective job interviews. Additionally, most NPC sororities have a networking system in place to help members connect to others in their career path. Networking within your local alumni association is a great way to learn about internships and gain references. If used to its fullest extent, this may help you in finding your dream job!
What other benefits are associated with joining a sorority?
In addition to potentially helping you find a job or internship, the sororities at NYU also have programs to help you academically! All sororities at NYU are expected to promote scholarship as one of its key standards and each organization requires a minimum GPA to be considered a member in good standing. To accommodate this requirement, many chapters provide study sessions, mentoring programs, or rewards for high GPA. When you join a sorority, you become a part of a larger group of women who can provide assistance in most of the courses you will be taking!
Additionally, each sorority at NYU has their own philanthropy, which can be an amazing way to get involved with community service!. As a whole, each year the FSL community gets together to host the New York Dance Marathon (NYDM) which raises money and provides support for children diagnosed with cancer!
Your sisters will also become excellent connections and possibly your closest friends. Joining a sorority at NYU will allow campus to feel a little more like home, as well as introduce you to lifelong friendships.
Additionally, each sorority at NYU has their own philanthropy, which can be an amazing way to get involved with community service!. As a whole, each year the FSL community gets together to host the New York Dance Marathon (NYDM) which raises money and provides support for children diagnosed with cancer!
Your sisters will also become excellent connections and possibly your closest friends. Joining a sorority at NYU will allow campus to feel a little more like home, as well as introduce you to lifelong friendships.
HAZING
The Panhellenic Council believes that no student should ever be harmed or degraded while seeking membership in any student organization. Hazing goes against the core values of fraternities and sororities and violates the bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood and friendship on which our organizations were founded. As such, New York University, as well as each fraternity and sorority, has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing. All organizations are expected to follow this policy, and training and resources are provided to groups to help them create a positive new member experience. Again, hazing is not tolerated. If you ever feel that you or a friend has been a victim of hazing, we strongly encourage you to contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs or campus police. Calls will be handled in a discreet and professional manner. Hazing can also be reported anonymously at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
