When someone accepts a bid to a sorority, her journey is just beginning. For the first few weeks of membership, she is considered a new member. She is still valued and treated with respect, but does not have full knowledge of the sorority’s ritual and other secrets. For some sororities, the new member education period lasts six weeks and for others, it is as long as ten weeks. Our new member programs are prescribed by the sorority headquarters and monitored by local alumnae who advise our chapters. Hazing is not a part of any new member program and is not something you should not have to worry about. A new member can expect to participate in the same activities and have the same responsibilities as initiated members. In addition:
As a new member, you can expect:
* To pay many one-time fees to the sorority as well as pay dues as regular members do. First semester cost range is $550-$850 and subsequent semesters range from $300-500 (depending on sorority). First semester cost is always the most expensive as there are many one-time fees (new member fee, initiation fee, badge fee, chapter shirts).
* To attend weekly new member meetings where all new members will be taught about the history and values of the sorority as well as other important aspects of sorority life.
* That your chapter will have weekly meetings. Some sororities ask their new members to attend chapter meetings, others do not. All Panhellenic sororities meet on-campus on Tuesday nights.
* To be required to meet academic requirements. Sororities follow programs to help them succeed academically. As soon as someone joins, she becomes responsible for meeting the sorority’s academic requirements.
* To be required to attend those things that other members are required to attend. There are pep rallies, philanthropy events, speakers, and other things that your chapter will participate in and you will be asked to do your part.
* To be held to the standards of membership that your chapter requires. Every sorority has a set of bylaws and standards. When a member violates these policies, she can be called to a hearing with chapter leadership.
As a new member, you can also expect:
* To be provided with a copy of sorority policies and a calendar of the things you will be asked to attend.
* To be provided with a big sister who will help you get acquainted with sorority life, Greek Life, and life in the UCA community.
* To attend sorority social events. All sororities have socials for their members to attend. Whether it’s with a mixer with a fraternity or another sorority, or your own sorority having a formal, each sorority has at least two to three events each semester. These events are fun but optional.
* To be assisted in your academic pursuits. All of our sororities have academic programs and offer help, resources, and scholarships for members. The average sorority member has a higher GPA than the average undergraduate woman at UCA.
* To be provided with extra help and structure as you continue adjusting to college life. It is a huge transition and some people worry that joining a sorority will make things more difficult, but this is not the case. Sororities are large organizations with chapters on over 600 campuses. We specialize in the enhancement of college life and know how to help our new members feel right at home.