Makena Swenski (left), Niccie Jamitkowksi (center) and Grace Mouw (right) celebrate Preference Night together Sept. 8, 2024. Preference Night is when you get more intimate one-on-one conversations with active chapter members, according to Pepperdine Panhellenic. Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Panhellenic
Sorority recruitment begins Sept. 4 at Pepperdine. While platforms like TikTok and Reddit often highlight recruitment practices at large Southern “SEC” schools, Pepperdine’s process has notable differences in structure and schedule.
The university’s Panhellenic Council oversees a shorter, more centralized process tailored to campus life.
“It’s not like the south at all, and I think we really need to advertise that,” said Rosemary LeBlanc, sophomore and Kappa Kappa Gamma member.
Understanding Recruitment
Sorority recruitment at Pepperdine is a process that introduces potential new members (PNMs) to the seven National Panhellenic Conference sororities on campus: Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi.
All of the sorority events and meetings take place on main campus and registration is open to all female students on the Seaver undergraduate campus. Students must register in advance and pay a $20 fee to participate, according to Pepperdine Panhellenic.
Nearly 30% of undergraduate women participate each year, according to Pepperdine Community. The process includes orientation, open house events, sisterhood activities, preference night and bid day, said Niccie Jamitkowski, senior and Tri Delta President.
Recruitment can bring a mix of emotions, especially for those unfamiliar with the process, Jamitkowski said.
“I feel like going into recruitment I was definitely really scared,” Jamitkowski said. “I didn’t even know that I honestly wanted to join a sorority, so I literally had no idea what to expect.”
Niccie Jamitkowski (left), Angelee Valdez (left center), Alex Zink (right center) and Nicole Defelice (right) celebrating Bid Night on Sept. 8, 2022. Bid Night is when PNMs will open envelopes to find out which sorority they have received a bid from. Photo courtesy of Niccie Jamitkowski
How to Rush
To foster authentic connections and fully embrace the recruitment process, Panhellenic President Bella Bonfante said she advises participants to remain true to themselves.
“We want to see your authentic personality shine through,” Bonfante said.
Keeping an open mind is also crucial for the recruitment process, Bonfante said.
“A PNM might go through the social media of a certain sorority and think ‘They might not be my vibe or I might not get along with these girls,’” LeBlanc said. “But seriously, you go into recruitment and meet all sorts of people.”
Pepperdine’s sorority recruitment includes three main days of conversations with chapter members, as participants move between campus locations to meet members and learn about each sorority, according to the University’s Panhellenic Council.
“After all my conversations my face hurt from smiling, but just getting to know all these different girls and feeling so empowered by all the females I talked to was the best part,” LeBlanc said. “Like I left recruitment not anxious, not scared, but excited.”
Then-first years Kate Foster (left) and Rosemary LeBlanc (right) celebrate their bid into Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) on Bid Night on Sept. 10, 2024. LeBlanc said she enjoyed all her conversations with KKG throughout the recruitment experience. Photo courtesy of Rosemary LeBlanc
When engaging in conversations during recruitment, avoiding the “five B’s” can help create a strong impression and allow you for the opportunity to find your place, according to American Threads.
The “five B’s” include: Booze, Boys, Bible, Ballots and Bucks.
These are sensitive topics best avoided in conversation – dating, politics, substance use, religion and finances – as they can lead to uncomfortable situations or inappropriate discussions for the active member, according to American Threads.
Above all, the health and well-being of a PNM comes first, Bonfante said.
“You are trying to put your best foot forward every conversation, every minute of the day,” Bonfante said. “Remember to take care of yourself first, as you are our number one priority.”
Forever Friends
For many students, recruitment becomes more than a weekend of events — it marks the beginning of friendships that last for years.
“I look back on rush really fondly because I met some of my best friends in Tri Delta,” Jamitkowski said.
The bonds formed during the process, Jamitkowski and LeBlanc said, extend from casual campus encounters to the milestones that define college life.
While the process may seem tedious, students describe the experience as more than just joining a sorority. For them, recruitment serves as the starting point for relationships that extend far beyond campus events, Bonfante said.
“Just be yourself and you’ll find your people,” Bonfante said. “That is the key to finding your home.”
_______________________________
Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Contact Alexa McGlathery via email: alexa.mcglathery@pepperdine.edu
