Big and littles, sisterhood and retreats are words that may not mean anything to the average student, but they will soon mean the world for new members at sorority recruitment this past weekend.
UH had 126 women join sororities this weekend, a substantial number for UH’s Greek system.
“We had a great Recruitment this year,” said Panhellenic President Leigh Hellinghausen, a senior psychology major.
The event featured all six sororities in the Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu and Zeta Tau Alpha.
Recruitment events began Friday and lasted until Sunday night.
On the first day, future members visited each of the sorority houses and talked to different active members about their experiences.
It offered a chance for UH women to get to know each other. As the weekend progressed, the women decided which homes that they felt most comfortable in and sororities looked for women that would flourish in their chapters.
On Sunday, sororities bid new members that they felt would accomplish great things in their sisterhood.
The girls were then taken to Cougar Field where all active sorority members anxiously awaited their arrival.
After Panhellenic revealed each girl’s new home, the girls went to spend time with their new sisters at welcome parties.
Preparations for recruitment began early this summer.
Houston Panhellenic Council sent out post cards and emails to potential new members who attend UH.
Each girl who signed up for recruitment sent in an application, transcript and $45 registration fee.
Hellinghausen said that each sorority selected recruits based on what qualities they thought would best support their chapter’s mission.
“These girls were selected based on grades, involvement, community service and interviews,” she said.
This is part of how the sororities were able to decide who they would bid to join their sisterhood.
By joining a sorority, women have an opportunity to become more involved in campus life, network, give back to the community, meet other students and create life-long friendships.
“I think sororities help girls become strong, successful women,” Hellinghausen said.
“Being in a sorority can help you grow as a person. These women learn from each other and find what it means to be a well-rounded woman.”
