Normally, fall semesters at Baylor University are full of all-university events, Panhellenic Previews and philanthropy events for potential new members to explore the sorority options. This year, recruitment will take on a new look as Baylor closely follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Panhellenic Council and the recruitment chairs from each sorority have been meeting and discussing the options for recruitment this semester. Chicago senior and Panhellenic Council vice president of recruitment Trisha Porzycki said there is a possibility many activities and events will be online.
“We’ve been working with the Baylor task force as well as Student Activities, so right now we’re still in the planning process. We’re working with them to get capacity numbers for Stacy Riddle, which is kind of a big thing because they’re just so many activities that happen in that building,” Porzycki said.
San Antonio senior Jenna Grund, recruitment chair for Alpha Phi, said they are working hard to make sure potential new members meet as many active members as possible.
“We just want to make sure we are able to create a plan that’s going to give potential new members the best possible experience going through recruitment in the spring, and we’re trying to create different, unique and creative opportunities … in order for all potential new members to have the same type of opportunities they’ve had in years past,” Grund said.
Potential new members usually get to know active members through in-person events or during their classes, but this will be a challenge since many classes are online, said Sioux City, Iowa senior Isabel Hamburger, vice president of marketing for Alpha Delta Pi.
To make sure potential new members are getting to know as many active members as possible, Hamburger said to not be afraid to reach out and ask to hang out.
“If they’re not comfortable meeting up, ask to Facetime … so they’re not missing out on meeting people,” Hamburger said.
Porzycki said this may be an opportunity to make some long-term changes to recruitment.
“Each chapter … their rooms look a little bit different. So I know it’s just kind of taking away the idea of the appearance of the room being a deciding factor and focusing more on the girl’s personalities and their morals,” Porzycki said.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, Greek life is going forward and will still be available this semester.
“There is a Panhellenic community that’s working very hard to make sure they have the best experience possible,” Grund said.
Baylor University officials did not respond when asked to comment.
