After COVID-19 pushed last year’s sorority recruitment to be completely virtual, Greek organizations were excited to host in-person recruitment once again. Recruitment was scheduled to be held before the first week of the Spring 2022 semester. But due to the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, Stevens pushed classes online for two weeks, and as a consequence, recruitment was also pushed online. In order to give Greek organizations more time to adapt, recruitment was also postponed one week and occurred between January 22 to January 25.
Despite the last minute changes, President of the Stevens Panhellenic Society (SPC), Fallon Link, along with heads of sorority recruitment, Danielle Ragan (Delta Phi Epsilon), Samantha Hessels (Sigma Delta Tau), Alexis Fuda (Phi Sigma Sigma), Roxy Soukup (Alpha Phi), and Amanda Schmitt (Theta Phi Alpha) were able to quickly adapt and create a recruitment experience for Potential New Members (PNMs).
Ragan claimed, “After having a virtual recruitment last year, the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon were hyped to be going through the recruitment process in-person. When we got the news that it was being switched to virtual, while we were bummed, we still were so excited to meet all the potential new members.” As the Vice President of Recruitment of Delta Phi Epsilon, Ragan mentioned that the sorority had already spent time purchasing and creating decor for their sorority house, while also planning elaborate schedules for recruitment. Ragan continued, “As upsetting as it was to have to put all of that to the side, we quickly got the ball rolling to prepare for it all to be held over Zoom.”
With little time to adapt to a virtual environment, the Delta Phi Epsilon recruitment committee had to work efficiently in order to still make the recruitment process enjoyable. Ragan explained, “The Panhellenic Community was so supportive and readily available to answer any questions that may have come up during the transition period. […] There were so many little details that went into making a successful Zoom recruitment. As stressful and unexpecting as it was, I truly believe that all organizations did an amazing job as we are so grateful to be welcoming in awesome new members.”
Samantha Hessels explained, “being a chapter with no house it was a lot easier for us to adapt. We didn’t use the decor we buy until two days before so we were able to return a lot and save some of it so each person in Sig Delt could decorate their walls with their decor.” Hessels also noted that the move to virtual recruitment was expected, and used recruitment techniques from last year’s virtual recruitment to ease the transition.
Hessels also explained that changing the dates of recruitment last minute resulted in many students being unable to attend recruitment, which was one of the biggest obstacles that they faced. Another huge challenge included “[the] retention of PNMs. It’s a lot harder to ‘wow’ someone and see if your values compare on Zoom. There were also a good chunk of PNMs that dropped either from the format or our inability to get as many PNMs round after round due to the low total.”
Overall, according to the recruitment heads, virtual recruitment was successful. Hessels explained, “honestly, I think it went really well and although many of us would have liked to experience an in-person recruitment in order to pass down our traditions and legacy before we all graduate, Sig Delt was really able to pull together and I am so proud and grateful for everyone in my sorority, I could not have done anything without them. Our Kappa class is really amazing and I am so excited to see what they do.” Additionally, with lower attendance in this year’s formal recruitment, many students were recruited through Continuous Open Biddings (COBs), allowing other students who may not have been able to attend formal recruitment to have the opportunity to join a sorority.
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