Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I go greek?
The benefits of greek life
More than any other single organization on campus, fraternities and sororities offer leadership opportunities, lifelong friendships, human service and philanthropic activities, cultural opportunities,social activities, scholastics, intramural sports, personal development, and group living environments; all wrapped up into one organization. Joining a fraternity or sorority chapter will help make the transition to college much easier. Developing a sense of belonging and making new friends in the chapter can make the campus seem much smaller.
Sisterhood Lasts a Lifetime
Though many of us associate the benefits of sorority membership with the college years, a sorority has a lifelong influence on its members. Besides offering support, encouragement, and an atmosphere that promotes success and well-being, sorority life creates opportunities for women to become part of a worldwide sisterhood of successful, caring women. Because growth and friendship are important to women throughout their lives, the greek experience doesn't end with graduation. Our bond continues to bring us together over the years, to share experiences, serve others, and have fun! When joining a sorority, college is the beginning of a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime.
The benefits of greek life
More than any other single organization on campus, fraternities and sororities offer leadership opportunities, lifelong friendships, human service and philanthropic activities, cultural opportunities,social activities, scholastics, intramural sports, personal development, and group living environments; all wrapped up into one organization. Joining a fraternity or sorority chapter will help make the transition to college much easier. Developing a sense of belonging and making new friends in the chapter can make the campus seem much smaller.
Sisterhood Lasts a Lifetime
Though many of us associate the benefits of sorority membership with the college years, a sorority has a lifelong influence on its members. Besides offering support, encouragement, and an atmosphere that promotes success and well-being, sorority life creates opportunities for women to become part of a worldwide sisterhood of successful, caring women. Because growth and friendship are important to women throughout their lives, the greek experience doesn't end with graduation. Our bond continues to bring us together over the years, to share experiences, serve others, and have fun! When joining a sorority, college is the beginning of a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime.
What is Panhellenic?
They run the show!
The Illinois Wesleyan College Panhellenic Council is the governing body for IWU's four social sororities. The Panhellenic Council (known as "Panhell") unifies and oversees the chapters and serves as their collective link to each other, the campus, and surrounding community.
Panhell works throughout the year to organize events of common-interest to the women that belong to our chapters. Panhell is responsible for organizing formal recruitment each year, and is governed by an Executive Board consisting of women from all four sororities.
The Illinois Wesleyan College Panhellenic Council is the governing body for IWU's four social sororities. The Panhellenic Council (known as "Panhell") unifies and oversees the chapters and serves as their collective link to each other, the campus, and surrounding community.
Panhell works throughout the year to organize events of common-interest to the women that belong to our chapters. Panhell is responsible for organizing formal recruitment each year, and is governed by an Executive Board consisting of women from all four sororities.
What is a Gamma Chi?
They're on your side!
A Gamma Chi is a member of IWU Sorority Life who has been selected to disaffiliate from her chapter for the weeks prior to formal recruitment and during the entire recruitment week. Gamma Chis will be your guide to Greek Life and walk you through the entire recruitment process! They show potential new members to each house, help rank their houses, and assist with any problems they may run in to. It is important to tell a Gamma Chi if any issue comes up, big or small. They are also unbiased, to help potential new members make the hard decision between houses. A Gamma Chi (or any other greek woman) should never reveal her house of affiliation to you!
So, is that why some of the faces are covered in pictures?
Yep, you got it!! Each Gamma Chi's face is covered in pictures, so that her affiliation can be kept a secret...until the reveal on Bid Day! :)
A Gamma Chi is a member of IWU Sorority Life who has been selected to disaffiliate from her chapter for the weeks prior to formal recruitment and during the entire recruitment week. Gamma Chis will be your guide to Greek Life and walk you through the entire recruitment process! They show potential new members to each house, help rank their houses, and assist with any problems they may run in to. It is important to tell a Gamma Chi if any issue comes up, big or small. They are also unbiased, to help potential new members make the hard decision between houses. A Gamma Chi (or any other greek woman) should never reveal her house of affiliation to you!
So, is that why some of the faces are covered in pictures?
Yep, you got it!! Each Gamma Chi's face is covered in pictures, so that her affiliation can be kept a secret...until the reveal on Bid Day! :)
Is sorority recruitment only open to freshman?
Not at all!
Formal Recruitment is open to Illinois Wesleyan women of all ages. Sorority life provides wonderful opportunities, no matter what level girls are in! :)
Formal Recruitment is open to Illinois Wesleyan women of all ages. Sorority life provides wonderful opportunities, no matter what level girls are in! :)
How should I act during recruitment?
BE YOURSELF!!
The number one thing to remember while going through formal recruitment is to be yourself! Look for the house that makes you feel the most comfortable and the house that seems the most like home. Never dismiss a chapter based on stereotypes, size, or first impressions. Don't select a house full of women who you want to be like, choose the house that is already the most like you!
The number one thing to remember while going through formal recruitment is to be yourself! Look for the house that makes you feel the most comfortable and the house that seems the most like home. Never dismiss a chapter based on stereotypes, size, or first impressions. Don't select a house full of women who you want to be like, choose the house that is already the most like you!
What if I'm not a typical "sorority girl"?
Well, neither are we!!
There are very few women in Greek life that actually fit that mold. We're all friends, get involved, and have fun, but there is no stereotypical sorority girl here. Most people never thought they would join a sorority or never thought about it in high school, they were just looking for a good group of friends and a gateway to opportunity so they signed up for recruitment. With our four sororities to choose from at IWU, there is a place for everyone!Greek life is like a spring board into making your Illinois Wesleyan experience everything you want it to be. There are countless ways to get involved and to do good for the community. There are plenty of ways to have fun and make friends. No matter what sorority you end up in, you are guaranteed to make lifelong friendships, have the opportunity to participate in everything imaginable, and create memories that last forever.
There are very few women in Greek life that actually fit that mold. We're all friends, get involved, and have fun, but there is no stereotypical sorority girl here. Most people never thought they would join a sorority or never thought about it in high school, they were just looking for a good group of friends and a gateway to opportunity so they signed up for recruitment. With our four sororities to choose from at IWU, there is a place for everyone!Greek life is like a spring board into making your Illinois Wesleyan experience everything you want it to be. There are countless ways to get involved and to do good for the community. There are plenty of ways to have fun and make friends. No matter what sorority you end up in, you are guaranteed to make lifelong friendships, have the opportunity to participate in everything imaginable, and create memories that last forever.
It's all GREEK to me! What do the letters stand for?
The Greek Alphabet
The Greek Alphabet is a set of 24 letters that is used in naming fraternities and Sororities! Below is a list of some of the letters you will see around IWU's campus!
Σ - Sigma Κ - Kappa Κ - Kappa A - Alpha
Κ - Kappa Κ - Kappa Δ - Delta Γ - Gamma
Γ - Gamma Δ - Delta
What lies behind the letters
A set of letters means nothing without the meaning behind them. Letters truly stand for the sisterhood, the relationships, the scholarship, the philanthropies, and the connection to thousands of women all over the world. We wear our letters with pride and always keep close what they mean to each one of us personally.
"With your letters in front of you, your sisters are behind you." - ΣK
The Greek Alphabet is a set of 24 letters that is used in naming fraternities and Sororities! Below is a list of some of the letters you will see around IWU's campus!
Σ - Sigma Κ - Kappa Κ - Kappa A - Alpha
Κ - Kappa Κ - Kappa Δ - Delta Γ - Gamma
Γ - Gamma Δ - Delta
What lies behind the letters
A set of letters means nothing without the meaning behind them. Letters truly stand for the sisterhood, the relationships, the scholarship, the philanthropies, and the connection to thousands of women all over the world. We wear our letters with pride and always keep close what they mean to each one of us personally.
"With your letters in front of you, your sisters are behind you." - ΣK
OK, I'm interested!! How do I sign up?
Every fall, the Panhellenic Council hosts Formal Recruitment,a period when all of our chapters come together to meet potential new members and extend invitations to join. In order to participate in Formal Recruitment, you must register. To register for formal recruitment, go to the IWU Fraternity and Sorority life page, here!!