Some Common Questions

Meal Plans & Other Financial Obligations

Q: Do I need to purchase a pre-paid campus Meal Plan if I join a sorority?
A: Since most sorority houses have their own meal plan programs, it is not necessary to purchase a campus Meal Plan. However snacks and weekend meals are sometimes not included, so it may be convenient to purchase a campus Meal Plan for missed meals and extra food. We recommend the commuter meal plan. For more info go to the Meal Plans website.

Q: What do I do if I cannot pay my university account, in full, after Membership Recruitment or at the beginning of a semester?
A: This is a concern for many sorority women and one that most chapters are very aware of. Most sororities on the UA campus are willing to create financial plans that meet your individual needs, whether you need to pay by month or in installments. Most sororities (both local chapters and national organizations) also offer scholarships and awards to reward members for academic and strong leadership in the chapter, while also taking into consideration financial need.

Q: Why are some sororities more expensive than others?
A: The large differences between chapters dues are because of varying meal plans, the size of the chapter structure itself, as well as whether or not social functions and programming fees are included.

Q: It seems like a lot to join a sorority! Where exactly is my money going?
A: It varies from chapter to chapter–here are the most common places your money goes:
• Meals
• Staff salaries (cooks, housekeeping, etc.)
• Maintenance (grounds keeping, improvements and remodeling to house)
• Social events and party favors
• International and university dues
• Educational programming

Sorority Membership Recruitment

Q: How much does Sorority Membership Recruitment Cost?
A: The registration fee is $95 through August 1, 2006. After August 1, 2006, the fee is $115.

Q: Why is there a fee to go through Sorority Membership Recruitment?
A: This fee includes a t-shirt, registration and computer processing fees, as well as evening programming activities, security, one lunch and supplies for recruitment. These fees are non-refundable. Please consider this when you register for Membership Recruitment.

Q: Are individual pictures necessary for Membership Recruitment?
A: Yes. Please bring 11 wallet-sized copies of a recent photo of yourself on August 16, 2006 to the Potential New Member Orientation. They do not need to be professionally taken; color copies are fine. Please DO NOT send any pictures to the Panhellenic Office.

Q: How do I know if the Panhellenic Council has received my online registration form?
A: You will be sent a confirmation email as soon as you click submit when registering on-line. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call the Panhellenic Council at (520) 621-0759.

Q: Where do I live before and during Membership Recruitment?
A: Potential New Members should be housed in their permanent living arrangements for the year. If you are living in a Residence Hall during the academic year, Residence Life will allow you to move into your room on Wednesday, August 16 at 9 a.m. There is a $35 fee, assessed by the Department of Residence Life, for electricity, air-conditioning, security, and staff. This fee will be billed to your student account by Residence Life. You will need to be completely moved into your residence hall, apartment, or house by Thursday, August 17, due to the fact that you will be quite busy throughout the remaining days before the first day of classes. Events typically begin about 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m.

Q: What is a Legacy?
A: A Legacy is a Potential New Member who has a mother, grandmother, or sister who was a member of a sorority while in college. Legacies may be given special consideration by the chapters that their female family member(s) are affiliated with, but they are never guaranteed membership in that particular sorority. At The University of Arizona, we reaffirm the statement that legacies are not given automatic invitations to become a member. We suggest that every woman in Membership Recruitment have an open mind toward all of our sororities.

Q: What are Recommendations? Do I need them to participate in Membership Recruitment?
A: A Recommendation is a letter of introduction from a former sorority member (alumna) written about a Potential New Member. Click here for more information regarding where to send Recommendations. This letter or form tells the sorority more about your personality, academics, and activities, while also attempting to introduce you to the active chapter members. You may wish to let your neighbors, relatives, and family friends know that you are planning on participating in Membership Recruitment. They will be able to get a form (or often a letter is sufficient) supplied by the sorority’s national office from the nearest University Panhellenic office or their national headquarters.

Although recommendations are of great benefit to the Potential New Member, they are not required. They do, however, allow the chapter to become acquainted with you before the Membership Recruitment Week begins.

The forms or letters should be sent by the alumna to the address shown under each chapter’s profile.