Meet the Greeks, Mock Recruitment and other recent panhellenic events have generated chatter around Villanova. After two months on campus, many students have officially caught the Greek life bug. As recruitment season approaches, both potential new members (PNMs) and active members await initiation with anticipation.
However, sorority recruitment will look different this year. While formerly housed at the Villanova Inn, all events will relocate to Villanova’s campus for the 2025 cycle.
The National Panhellenic Conference at Villanova University consists of the following eight sorority chapters: Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma. From Jan. 7 to Jan. 12, 2025, each chapter will recruit its spring member class. The process will be newly held in multi-purpose spaces throughout campus.
This decision was made to accommodate an increased interest in those wishing to join Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). Due in part to a lack of fraternity and sorority houses, Villanova is not historically known for its Greek life. However, the student culture of Villanova has become increasingly attentive to FSL in recent years.
“As chapters continue to grow, we want to ensure the health and safety of our participants are prioritized,” Ella Doda, President of the Villanova Panhellenic Council, said. “Moving recruitment to campus ensures that more women can participate safely by utilizing larger spaces than the Inn could provide.”
Recruitment consists of three rounds: Sisterhood, Philanthropy and Preference. Sisterhood round spans two days, while all other rounds are conducted over one. The process is four days long in total, concluding with Bid Day. While the schedule will change slightly, the amount of recruitment days will remain the same as years past.
Sisterhood round will allow PNMs to meet all eight chapters. It is designed to help the women learn more about each sorority’s values, personalities and other unique elements of membership. After the round has concluded, PNMs and chapter members participate in a ranked matching system that facilitates the remainder of the process.
Since the pandemic, Villanova has conducted its Sisterhood round virtually via Zoom. This practice will remain unchanged this year.
“Virtual sessions help streamline logistics and ensure everyone has a chance to engage, even if they have scheduling conflicts or concerns about attending large gatherings,” a recruitment representative who requested anonymity said. “After Sisterhood round, recruitment will transition to in-person events on campus, providing a dynamic mix of virtual and face-to-face interactions.”
During in-person rounds, each sorority decorates its event room to reflect the spirit of the chapter. Despite the switch to on-campus spaces, the sororities will continue to do so. This will help maintain an inviting atmosphere for PNMs, helping the women get a memorable feel for each chapter.
“I loved how A-Phi decorated their room at the Inn,” Alpha Phi member and sophomore Lily Lincoln said. “I’m excited to see how that energy translates to a bigger space during this year’s recruitment.”
The first in-person component of recruitment is known as Philanthropy round, during which PNMs are invited to up to five chapters. Through speeches and presentations, the women learn about the charitable partnerships of each sorority. Examples of various philanthropies include hearth health, domestic violence prevention and service for sight.
After Philanthropy round, the women re-rank their top chapters. The matching system then presents up to two sororities for PNMs to attend for a final day, called Preference round. This round is traditionally the most intimate of the process, wherein sorority members reflect on what Villanova sisterhood means to them. For a final time, PNMs will rank their remaining chapters.
Bid Day, the final component of recruitment, marks an end to the process. During the event, PNMs receive an invitation to join a chapter. They then “run home” to their respective sorority, spending the day with chapter members and bonding as a sisterhood. Bid Day has always been conducted on Villanova’s campus, so the event will remain virtually unchanged.
While recruitment in the Spring of 2025 will look different than years past, Villanova Panhellenic Council assures students that the integrity of the process will not be compromised. In fact, it is confident that the change will provide an opportunity for PNMs to experience campus culture in a setting that truly reflects the spirit of Villanova
“It is a beneficial change for the Panhellenic community,” Doda said. “Hopefully, it will give Panhellenic the chance to showcase all of its organizations and women in its entirety.”
Registration for the Spring 2025 recruitment process will open on Nov. 1, 2024. For more information about FSL, follow @villanovapanhel on Instagram.
