• What is a sorority?

Sororities are undergraduate social organizations that encourage high academic standards, community service, and character and leadership development. Sororities are Greek letter organizations that offer lifelong membership, and provide sisterhood networks throughout the country. There are 26 national sororities, seven of which are at the University of Hartford.

• What do sororities do?

Sororities at the University of Hartford do a variety of the following things:
Academic: Each sorority has various academic resources for its members. Additionally, sororities provide study hours for their new members and sisters in order to achieve high scholastic marks.
Community Service: In addition to providing opportunities for sisters to go out into the community and volunteer, each of the sororities also hosts large philanthropic events every year. Some of these events raise thousands of dollars and go to benefit various charities.
Social: Sororities may have a semiformal in the fall and a formal in the spring. They also will have socials with fraternities, athletic teams, and other organizations throughout the year. Finally, sororities also sponsor social events that are open to the entire campus community.

• What is Recruitment?

Recruitment is a mutual selection process designed so that you get the chance to see all the sororities at least once. During the recruitment period, you will visit each of the sororities and get a chance to meet all the women. Then, sororities will decide who they want to invite back, and you will decide who you want to go back to. This goes on until the final event (called Preference), where you will be allowed to visit two sororities.  After Preference, you will be asked to rank your final two sororities according to whom you feel you fit in with best. Then later that day or the next, you may receive a bid from one of your final two sororities.
 

• If I go through Recruitment, do I have to join a sorority?

A potential new member is never obligated to join a sorority. For various reasons, if you would not like to continue with formal recruitment, you may choose to withdraw. If you withdraw prior to receiving a bid on Bid Day, you are eligible to participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). COBs continue throughout the academic year. If during recruitment, you decide that you no longer want to participate in formal recruitment, you should discuss these feelings with your Recruitment Counselors who will help you through the process.  Once you have filled out a “bid card” though, you are binding for one calendar year and can not join any other Greek organizations for that period of time.

• What do I talk about during Recruitment?

It is important for you to be yourself during recruitment and let the conversation flow naturally. The   sororities are presenting themselves to you just as you are presenting yourself to them. The conversation should go both ways. Asking questions is encouraged. As you go from one day to the next, conversations will become more in-depth and involved. Remember that you have to narrow down your choice of sororities each round. Therefore, collect enough information to be comfortable in making these decisions.

• What if I am shy?

There are a lot of shy people out there, but this should not hinder your recruitment experience. Remember, there are members of the chapters who are shy too, and you are not alone. Every sorority wants members with a variety of personalities. Each member of a sorority contributes their individual talents to the chapter. Just keep in mind that it is up to you to present yourself to each sorority. Smile and feel free to talk; the members want to get to know you as best they can. There is no reason to feel insecure. Sororities want to impress you just as much as you want to impress them.

• What are the financial obligations of being in a sorority?

Each sorority has semester dues that range depending on their individual preferences and national or local affiliation. Do not be afraid to ask an organization about their monetary dues. Some may have payment plans to assist new members and sisters. Please contact a particular organization personally to inquire further.
 

• Will I have time to be involved in a sorority?

This depends upon your willingness to get involved and make a difference. Like any organization, the sorority will have general expectations for you and the amount of time you spend at the sorority with your new sisters will vary. You will be asked to attend new member and chapter meetings in addition to any number of planned activities. Through your sorority involvement, you'll learn to manage your time and balance your academic load, work, and social commitments. During Recruitment, you can ask specifically what time commitment will be expected of you.

• Will I lose touch with my non-Greek friends?

Many Greeks and non-Greeks remain close, especially if they share other interests. You could widen your circle of friends and contacts by joining a sorority. As long as you are committed to your friendships, joining a Greek organization should never interfere.

• Will my grades be impacted?

Academics always come first; after all, that’s why you came to college! Greek life should never interfere with your education though. In fact, many sorority women see their GPA increase once they become New Members! Each sorority provides many academic resources that you just can’t get anywhere else. Additionally, you need to maintain a certain GPA to be allowed to stay in the sorority, so academics are clearly very important.

• What about hazing and negative stereotypes often associated with sorority life?

The National Panhellenic Conference and its member sororities have strict policies against hazing. The University of Hartford has a zero tolerance policy against hazing. Every sorority is different and unique. The University of Hartford prides itself on hosting an array fraternities and sororities, each with their own characteristics and personalities.  You may have heard some negative stereotypes about sororities and individual chapters in particular but we ask that you go through recruitment with an open mind and keep in mind that many of those things that you have heard are just that, rumors and stereotypes.

• I have heard that some sororities have different reputations. How should I handle this information?

The only opinion of each chapter that should matter is your own. Each chapter is different from campus to campus and from year to year. If you allow someone else’s perceptions to influence you, you may not be satisfied with your choice during Recruitment. Remember that each chapter is made up of many different women with different talents and qualities that compose the entire group. There are always rumors about any important event, and Recruitment is no exception. If you hear any derogatory remarks about any sorority or any women in the group, please regard those comments as inappropriate. If you have any questions regarding rumors or inappropriate comments, please direct them to your Recruitment Counselor.

• What types of philanthropic and community service projects do sororities take part in?

Community service is very much a part of Greek-letter social organizations. The word social does not necessarily mean party. These organizations give back to the communities in which they operate. On any given day, you'll find members of UHa sororities raising funds for charitable organizations, cleaning up a local elementary school, servicing a blood drive, volunteering at a local nursing home, and participating in University wide events. Community service is a vital part of sorority life.

• What happens after I graduate?

Greek involvement doesn’t just end at the collegiate level! Many national sororities have alumnae chapters scattered throughout the United States, so you can meet and network with your sisters from across the nation. They also offer various scholarship, travel, and career opportunities!

•  I still have some questions. Who can I contact?