Fraternity and sorority recruitment is right around the corner. Whether you are interested, unsure, or “definitely never doing that,” here is what you need to know about recruitment season at Randolph-Macon College.
On campus, there are five fraternities currently participating in recruitment: Kappa Alpha Order, Theta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma. Typically, these fraternities will also host recruitment during the Spring, so do not feel discouraged if you missed out this Fall. They will meet interested students at events and throughout the start of the year. Fraternity recruitment differs from sorority recruitment in that interested parties do not have to go through a formal recruitment process before receiving a bid. While some chapters host open events and “invite only” events, it is up to their discretion. Once new members have received bids, they will participate in the initiation process of their corresponding chapter throughout the semester.
As for sorority recruitment, interested students must register for the formal Fall Recruitment weekend, September 26th-29th. Potential New Members (PNMs) will meet RMC’s four Panhellenic chapters: Delta Zeta, Alpha Gamma Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Kappa Alpha Theta. The weekend will allow PNMs to meet every chapter and conduct a thorough introduction process before receiving bids on Bid Day. Once bids are distributed, new members will participate in their chapter’s initiation process throughout the semester. Additionally, sororities can recruit in the Spring if they are eligible according to national guidelines. The Spring recruitment process looks like that of Fraternities since there is no formal process for meeting every chapter.
Additionally, RMC is home to two National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, also referred to as the Divine Nine: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. These chapters do not participate in the Fall recruitment process, as the NPHC hosts a different intake process than others. During the academic year, they will host chapter-specific events for interested students. Upon attendance, students may learn more about the member intake process. Typically, new members are “presented” during the Spring semester with an open event for the campus community to attend.
Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) is a fantastic way to get involved on campus, especially as a new student. It offers countless lifelong friendships, leadership, community service, and academic success opportunities. As the school holds a GPA requirement to join these organizations and individual GPA requirements per chapter, there is a significant focus on students’ academic success. Some students may be concerned about the time commitment upon joining as well. It is important to remember that the FSL experience on a small campus is completely different than that on a larger campus. Chapters are more dedicated to having well-rounded members involved in multiple things on campus. You will find student-athletes, student government members, nursing students, student workers, and many more as members of RMC chapters.
It is always possible to consider joining a fraternity or sorority at Randolph-Macon. Who knows, you may find your home!
