Sorority Recruitment

Panhellenic Women’s Formal Membership Recruitment

Women’s Informal Membership Recruitment is held each fall for junior and senior women and eligible transfer women. Information about the fall recruitment events can be found on the fraternity and sorority calendar by clicking here.

Women’s Formal Membership Recruitment is held January 9–15, 2017, and each potential new member must complete the Formal Membership Recruitment Registration form by January 4, 2016 at 11:30 p.m. in order to participate. The registration form can be found by clicking here.

Panhellenic Formal Recruitment Guidelines:

A woman becomes a potential new member once she has officially registered for Formal Membership Recruitment. In order to be eligible for Formal Membership Recruitment at Valparaiso University, a woman must:

  • Complete the registration form and return it by 11:30 p.m. on January 4, 2016
  • Pay the registration fee of $40.00 — this can be done online following the completion of the registration form.

2016 Sorority Formal Recruitment Schedule

Monday, January 4, 2016
8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Neils Science Center 234

This event will be for all women registered for spring 2016 sorority recruitment. This meeting will preview formal recruitment and educate the women on all policies and procedures related to recruitment and joining a sorority. Recruitment Counselor groups will meet.

Attire: Casual

Tuesday, January 5, 2016
11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Scheele Hall

The Philanthropy Round events will introduce all women to the national philanthropy programs for each of the sororities. The women will participate in a series of craft projects, all to be donated to local and national organizations following the formal recruitment period.

Friday, January 8, 2016
6:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Scheele Hall

The Sisterhood and Values round will introduce all women to the elements of sisterhood that each of the sororities at Valparaiso University celebrates. Each chapter will show a video showcasing their sisterhood and sharing special aspects of the values of the organization with its potential new members. Women going through recruitment will attend between one and four events during this round.

Attire: Business attire — dress slacks or a skirt is appropriate.

Saturday, January 9, 2016
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Scheele Hall

The Preference Ceremony is the most serious of the events during the formal recruitment period. Women participating in recruitment will be exposed to some of the ceremonial aspects of sorority membership and will learn about the lifelong commitment of joining a sorority. Women going through recruitment will attend one or two events this round.

Attire: Cocktail dress. Please, no prom dresses.

Sunday, January 10, 2016
1:00 p.m.
Neils Science Center 234

Bid Day is the celebration of being asked to join a sorority at Valparaiso University. All women going through formal recruitment are asked to meet in Neils Science Center at 1:00 p.m. Women will receive their membership invitation at this time, then participate in the Panhellenic New Member Ceremony and Celebration with all of the sorority women at Valparaiso University.

Women should be prepared for ceremony and celebration lasting about two hours, followed by additional activities in the evening with their new chapters. Note that you may be busy until about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday evening.

Attire: Casual. Each new member will be provided a t-shirt from the chapter she is joining to wear to the ceremony.