Shouts of laughter and groans of disappointment were heard Sunday as sororities unveiled their newest members.
Duke’s nine Panhellenic Association sororities doled out bids to 373 women on Bid Day, the conclusion of a two-week recruitment process. This year 504 women participated in sorority recruitment, representing a seven person drop from last year when a record 511 women participated. The number of bids offered signifies a steady hold from last year’s 367 bids.
The recruitment process that began Jan. 13 was consistent with the recruitment calendar introduced in 2010. Recruitment spanned two weeks with events spread out over both East and West Campuses. There have been no significant changes made from last year’s recruitment process, said senior Laura Williams, vice president of recruitment and membership for Panhel.
“Despite the lack of any new establishments, we are thrilled to have held the high numbers from last year,” Williams said.
Following last year’s proceedings, Panhel decided not to release quota numbers—the expected number of new members per chapter. All nine chapters did report that they filled their target quotas, Williams said.
In the Fall semester, sororities will receive housing for the first time under the new house model. Despite speculations that these changes would impact the number of people interested in greek life, Williams said the new model did not affect the number of women who took part in the recruitment process, noting the steady number of registrants this year compared to last.
“What I like about the way Duke conducts its greek life is the fact that it lets you choose how involved you want to be in your sorority,” freshman Caroline Michelman said. “You are encouraged to have a life outside your sorority as well.”
Williams attributed the high interest in greek life to the meaningful discussions between prospective and existing members held during later rounds of the recruitment process.
“After initial introductions and meetings, the girls start to talk more about things that matter to them and reveal their personalities,” Williams said.
It is during this time, Williams noted, that women become more certain about their initial interest in greek life and continue with the recruitment proceedings.
The process, which includes four rounds that range from a casual to formal structure, can be stressful for some.
“I was really exhausted by the whole recruiting process,” said freshman Meaghan Li, who received a bid from Alpha Delta Pi. “Being an international student, I was nervous at first to begin, but I now am so, so thrilled to have gotten an offer from my first choice.”
Due to the success of recruitment this year, Williams predicts that there will not be many changes made to the Panhellenic procedures for next year.
“The current model seems best fitting in making [recruitment] as efficient and fun as it possibly can,” she said.
Despite some women’s excitement, there was also disappointment from those who were not placed within the chapter of their choice.
“It was upsetting to see some of my friends drop and being cut from some of the sororities, but I think that everyone should try to think of the positive aspects of the whole process,” said freshman Alexis Pearce, who received a bid from Zeta Tau Alpha.
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