A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER | RECRUITMENT EDITION
Almost every campus faced changes to recruitment in 2020-21. Chapters quickly adapted to create the best recruitment and new member experience possible. Here’s how they created welcoming environments and celebrated sisterhood:
EPSILON–UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Epsilon Chapter was excited to return to campus and reunite after quarantine. Spirit Week included virtual dance parties and socially distant tours of their soon-to-be renovated home!
PSI–UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Psi Chapter members were thrilled to welcome new members into their sisterhood—and they initiated 100% of them later that term. Additionally, Psi achieved the top grades across all Greek-letter organizations at the University of Alabama for the fourth consecutive semester, giving them another reason to shine during Primary Recruitment.
BETA XI–PURDUE UNIVERSITY
To prepare for Primary Recruitment, several alumnae members logged in to assist with mock recruitment practice via Zoom. The chapter welcomed 41 new members! Despite the unconventional recruitment experience, new members were just as thrilled to have found their new home.
BETA TAU–BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
After participating in virtual recruitment, Beta Tau Chapter held a chapter-wide Zoom call to celebrate their newest members on Bid Day. To keep new members engaged, the chapter focused heavily on developing connections with several virtual events, including movie nights and alumnae hangouts.
GAMMA ALPHA–UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Gamma Alpha Chapter hosted an Alpha Gam 500-themed Bid Day where they welcomed 89 new members. Adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, the chapter welcomed the new members by showing them around Athens.
GAMMA ETA–HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
Gamma Eta Chapter welcomed home 61 new members through virtual Primary Recruitment. After a series of virtual events—including recruitment and Bid Day—members were thrilled to attend their first in-person sisterhood event later in the year to continue building relationships with new members.
GAMMA IOTA–MERCER UNIVERSITY
After spending most of the past term apart, members of the Gamma Iota Chapter enjoyed catching up during Spirit Week. After preparing for virtual recruitment, the chapter welcomed home 23 new members with a virtual “Lucky to be an AGD” Bid Day! All new members passed their Initiation Test on the first attempt, and the chapter celebrated with big/little reveal where bigs decorated large boxes and hid inside of them.
GAMMA TAU–UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA
Gamma Tau Chapter held a “Wild West” Bid Day, and new members attended a COVID-safe new member retreat. The weekend was filled with teamwork exercises, including an escape room, and other programming focused on sisterhood.
GAMMA PHI–GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Gamma Phi celebrated their newest members with a fire-themed Bid Day. To allow for social distancing, new members were paired with an initiated member, and small groups were taken around on house tours. After the initial celebration, the groups went to various spaces around campus to enjoy a picnic together.
DELTA KAPPA–UNIVERSITY OF OMICRON
Members of the Delta Kappa Chapter were thrilled to welcome a large new member class following Primary Recruitment. The chapter held several sisterhood events to welcome new members and celebrated Initiation in a new way. Alpha Gamma Delta International Headquarters hosted a virtual Initiation Ceremony, and the chapter celebrated newly initiated members afterward with a virtual Feast of Roses.
DELTA OMICRON–UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS
After not seeing each other for most of the year, members of the Delta Omicron Chapter kicked off the beginning of the semester with Spirit Week. Members were excited to return in person and prepare for recruitment.
EPSILON MU–FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
After their campus deferred Primary Recruitment to the spring term due to COVID-19, members of the Epsilon Mu Chapter used the extra time to practice and adapt to a virtual setting. The chapter welcomed 10 new members and spent time getting to know them with events around town.
EPSILON NU–UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Members of the Epsilon Nu Chapter dedicated their time and worked hard to prepare for their first virtual Primary Recruitment, and it paid off. The chapter welcomed 26 new members with an in-person Bid Day. New members felt right at home with a new member retreat, speed-dating activities to meet their potential sister-mothers and big/little reveal!
ZETA ZETA–WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Members of the Zeta Zeta Chapter were excited to return to school and prepare for recruitment through RTS and making videos; sisters new to living in the chapter house enjoyed being part of the house tour videos. After they welcomed 19 new members, the chapter hosted sisterhood events like game nights and speed dating activities to learn more about their sisters.
ZETA NU–ALMA COLLEGE
Members of the Zeta Nu Chapter returned to campus in mid-August and wasted no time preparing for Alma College’s first fall Primary Recruitment, which was held outdoors to allow for more space. Members were decked out in red, buff and green to welcome 13 new members on Bid Day.
ZETA OMICRON–KETTERING UNIVERSITY
Zeta Omicron Chapter started the fall term by adding five new members to their sisterhood. Members were also thrilled to raise over $300 for the Flint Food Bank through the philanthropy round activity.
THETA LAMBDA–UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
Theta Lambda Chapter fully embraced social media to showcase their sisterhood and encourage potential new members to sign up for recruitment. The chapter welcomed 28 new members home with a “Honey I’m Home” Bid Day.
THETA MU–UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON
After hosting a virtual Bid Day, members of the Theta Mu Chapter spent time in virtual small groups throughout the semester getting to know the chapter’s 20 new members.
THETA NU–VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
After Formal Recruitment was deferred to the spring term, members of the Theta Nu Chapter jumped into planning their first COB in over five years. The chapter welcomed home 34 new members, and everyone enjoyed their virtual big/lil reveal later in the fall.
THETA TAU–BELMONT UNIVERSITY
Members of the Theta Tau Chapter met with potential new members virtually during the chapter’s COB process in September. In October, Theta Tau welcomed 13 new members through a virtual “Falling in Love with Alpha Gam” Bid Day. Current members expressed what they loved about Alpha Gam to show new members what sisterhood meant to them.
THETA PSI–AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Despite the challenges of virtual recruitment, members of the Theta Psi Chapter persevered and welcomed the highest number of new members within their Panhellenic community. The traditional Feast of Roses was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but members improvised and planned a sisterhood event to celebrate the new initiates.
KAPPA GAMMA–TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–CORPUS CHRISTI
Kappa Gamma Chapter celebrated their new members with a drive-thru Bid Day. New members decorated their cars and initiated members stood outside to greet them as they passed through. After the drive-thru, members hosted a virtual Bid Day celebration where they played games and learned more about each other.
KAPPA EPSILON–TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Kappa Epsilon welcomed 50 new members with a parade the weekend of Bid Day. New members were able to take photos and meet other members while staying socially distanced.
NU GAMMA–EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Nu Gamma Chapter held a fully virtual Spirit Week to work on their recruiting skills in a new virtual environment. The chapter welcomed 38 new members home with a virtual Candy Land-themed Bid Day.
This blog post is part of a series based on 2020 Collegiate Reports submitted by chapter officers. Looking to keep up with your chapter? Click here to find your chapter on social media.
Read more from the “A Year Like No Other” series: