Sorority Life
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow much of a time commitment is being in a sorority?
Just like any other organization, membership in a sorority does have commitments. However, it is very common for sorority members to work, participate in UW athletics, activities, and volunteer for the community throughout the academic year. It is expected that sorority members will participate in certain chapter activities, meet financial obligations, and in some cases, assist with minimal duties within the chapter. Each organization, at minimum, has one weekly chapter meeting lasting on average an hour a week. Other commitments each quarter include shifts for chapter hosted philanthropy events, committee meetings, educational programs, attending chapter events and activities, and volunteer hours.
What happens in the time after Bid Day but before school starts?
This period is typically filled with lots of sisterhoods and retreats! This period focuses on getting to know your new sisters and getting acclimated to campus so that you are ready and prepared come the first day of school! New Members also use this time to settle into their new living situation, have family visit, and enjoy the last week before classes.
What Greek opportunities are offered to new members?
There are lots of ways to get involved right off the bat as a new member and we hope that you will want to be connected outside of your specific sorority. Here are a few organizations within our community to tap into right away:
Panhellenic Leadership Council- is an organization made up of two first year members from each sorority who receive leadership development programming, plan events and activities for the campus and fraternity & sorority community.
Green Greeks - is an organization made up of men and women in the fraternal community who care about sustainability initiatives within our chapter facilities and at events hosted by chapters.
Greeks Take Action - is an organization made up of men and women in the fraternal community who care about Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence prevention. Each chapter has a delegate that attends Greeks Take Action meetings but anyone is welcome to attend and be involved.
Greek Pride - is an organization for members who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as allies. Greek Pride hosts social gatherings, participates in community service opportunities, and helps advocate for change and host programming within our Greek community to continue to make it a more inclusive and accepting space.
What is the difference between Panhellenic, Pan-Hellenic, and MGC?
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is made up of 26 national or international sororities. We have 17 NPC groups on our campus and 1 affiliate group within our College Panhellenic Association.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), or the Divine 9, is made up of 9 national historically African American fraternities and sororities. We currently have 3 NPHC women’s groups at the UW. NPHC does not participate in Panhellenic recruitment but you can learn more about their council and membership here: http://students.washington.edu/nphc/
The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is made up of 12 local or national fraternities and sororities with cultural foundations. We currently have 7 women's organizations within MGC at the UW. UGC sororities do not participate in Panhellenic recruitment but you can learn more about their council and membership here: https://www.washington.edu/ofsl/councils/united-greek-council/
*As a note, while organizations within each council mentioned above have a religion or culture that they were founded upon, now all organizations are open to women of any faith, race, ethnicity, or background and we are proud to have a diverse community within each of our councils. What is most important is that you choose the council that best fits the membership experience you are looking for.
Can I join other clubs if I am in a sorority?
Of course! The majority of women in Panhellenic sororities are members of other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), hold internships or other jobs, or participate in research on campus. Some sororities may require you to be involved in things outside of the chapter and all appreciate members who are involved in outside activities.
How can I meet women in other chapters on campus?
Each quarter, every chapter is partnered with another sorority, or “sister sorority” and participates in quarterly sisterhood activities! Panhellenic also holds many fun events like the Academic Dessert, Greek Awards, and Wellness Week festivities. You may meet other Panhellenic women in the classes that you take, through FIG courses, or through other RSOs on campus.
Can I join more than one sorority? Can I join an academic Greek Organization as well as a Panhellenic Sorority?
You may only join one Panhellenic sorority. Many Panhellenic women join other academic based Greek Organizations or RSOs. Examples include: Order of Omega (Greek honor society), Alpha Kappa Psi (Business fraternity), and Phi Delta Epsilon (Medical fraternity).
Are there sororities based on academic major goals or certain interests?
Each sorority has a unique set of women who all share common interests and academic pursuits. With this being said, each sorority has a multitude of different women with different skill sets and passions. One specific sorority does not represent a certain academic field or interest. However, our affiliate sorority, Phi Sigma Rho, is a traditionally Engineering-based sorority and members must plan to major in a STEM field. Below is a graph with a breakdown of all our member’s majors that are already in their major.
Are there “bad” chapters? What is the “tier system”?
There are NO bad chapters. Each chapter has its own strengths, values, and passions that make them unique. No chapters are better than other chapters, and we recommend that you do not base your recruitment experience on the opinions of others.
What are the social expectations of being in a sorority?
Sororities provide many opportunities for women to meet and connect with other members of the fraternity & sorority community, although none are mandatory. Examples of these events include sisterhoods where members of the sorority might watch a movie, attend a sporting event, paint, or decorate cookies for a holiday; Grab-A-Dates where women can bring a guest for a fun event like a Mariners Game, Bowling, or Gameworks; and formals where members can bring a guest to a dance hosted in the Seattle area.
If social events are not your thing, sororities provide plenty of other opportunities for leadership, scholastic support and community engagement. We have members in our Panhellenic community that don’t participate in social events or activities.
What are sorority bigs?
Each new member is paired with an upper class member in the first half of the year. Sorority bigs are women (traditionally in the member class above the new member class) that mentor and support their new member or little. Big/Little reveal occurs when the new members find out who their mentor (Big) is.
What do the sorority letters stand for?
An array of sorority letters (typically 2-3) stand for each specific chapter, ranging from the Greek letters in the alphabet. Organization letters have a meaning to those in the organization and their meaning is typically revealed during initiation.
Will I be hazed?
Our campus, and each sorority national organization, has policies that address hazing. Each sorority, nationally and internationally, complies with anti-hazing laws. If you do feel uncomfortable at any time there are plenty of resources you can reach out to and contact including the Panhellenic Association, the Office of Fraternity or Sorority Life Staff and Community Standards & Student Conduct. If hazing is reported, it is taken seriously by our council, the University of Washington and the sororities national organization. All new members and initiated members also receive hazing prevention programming each year. Click here to learn about Sam’s Law
What happens if I want to drop out of my sorority?
While membership is for a lifetime and we hope that your sorority experience will add value to your collegiate and alumna years, you can quit your sorority as an undergraduate should you lose interest or need to for other reasons. This is something that you will need to discuss with your individual organization, likely a chapter president or advisor to learn about the process of leaving your organization. It is important to note that there may be some financial obligations that you are still responsible for if you are moving out of the chapter house or have outstanding dues to the organization.
If you have been initiated into the sorority, you are unable to join another Panhellenic group at the UW or any other campus.
If you have not been initiated into the sorority, you are able to join another Panhellenic sorority during the following primary recruitment process.
What happens if I graduate early? Can I still be a member of my sorority?
Membership in a sorority is for a lifetime so even if you graduate early you will still be a member, but likely with alumna status. Once you graduate you will not need to attend chapter meetings or events with the undergraduate chapter but can be involved with an alumnae group.
How do sororities interact with fraternities?
Many sororities and fraternities participate in exchanges, which are social activities between one fraternity and one sorority, to get to know more people in the Greek Community. Some examples are finger painting on canvas, de-stress with puppies and barbecues.