Greek Life Fall 2020 Plan

Please continue to watch this page for updates. (Updated 8/19/2020)

 

Effective immediately, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) has formally recommended that all campuses pivot to virtual recruitment rounds. Therefore, the University of Arkansas Panhellenic Council has implemented its virtual contingency plan for preference round on Friday, August 21.

On Saturday, August 22, the council will also host a live broadcast which will include a virtual bid day distribution. Chapters will host small, staggered, in person gatherings on their lawns for new members only. No guests will be permitted including alumni, parents, children, etc.

More information will be forthcoming regarding the live broadcast. Please continue to check our social media platforms for updates.

We would like to thank all Panhellenic chapters & their members, Gamma Chis, and potential new members for a great recruitment week so far. We appreciate you for following safety precautions related to social distancing and wearing your masks. Your cooperation has not gone unnoticed to the UA campus community.

 

UA Greek Life Planning Hybrid Recruitment Activities for Fall Aug. 06, 2020 

Greek Life is preparing for fall and has made several modifications for those looking to join a fraternity or sorority. Staff has been working diligently with students, alumni, campus partners, and national organizations to create hybrid recruitment or intake models.

This fall, fraternities and sororities will host virtual recruitment events with limited in-person opportunities in order to safely social distance in the midst of COVD-19.

"Health and safety precautions are being taken for all in-person opportunities including enforcing guidelines for the use of face coverings (i.e. masks) and social distancing inside and outside of chapter facilities, residence halls, and other campus areas," said Parice S. Bowser, director of Greek Life. "Masks must be worn by all fraternity and sorority leaders, members, potential new members and aspirants."

Panhellenic Council

More than 1,533 women will participate in a hybrid recruitment process during the week Aug. 14-22. Portions of the process will be held virtually including the open party, philanthropy and sisterhood rounds. The preference portion of the process will be held in-person.

Throughout the summer, chapters have held mock recruitments to adjust to this virtual experience.

Adequate time will also be allotted to allow for required sanitization processes.

"The planning is still in progress for Bid Day on Aug. 22," Bowser said. "Chapters are hoping to offer an in-person experience for new members on the lawn, but on a much smaller scale than in years past."

Parents or guests will not be allowed on lawns or to attend any Bid Day festivities.

Interfraternity Council

IFC recruitment will also have virtual and in-person components, with orientation starting Aug. 27. Students interested in joining may still register until Aug. 26 on the IFC recruitment page. This year, potential new members are also encouraged to submit recommendation letters to chapters of interest. Days will be extended to allow proper social distancing.

National Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek Council

For students interested in joining the National Pan-Hellenic Council or the United Greek Council, new members are selected by member organizations through the membership intake process (MIP) based on specific qualifications and criteria.

"Typically, chapters will share interest flyers announcing if they will be hosting MIP this fall," Bowser said. "Guidelines will come from their national organizations to help chapters coordinate a virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid new membership intake plan."

For more information about our NPHC chapters, please visit the National Pan-Hellenic Council. You may also visit United Greek Council to learn about the United Greek Council. 

CONTACTS

Parice Shantele Bowser, director Greek Life 479-575-5001, pbowser@uark.edu

Scott Flanagin, executive director of communications Division of Student Affairs 479-575-6785, sflanagi@uark.edu

Press Release

 

We are excited to make an announcement about Sorority Recruitment 2020! Due to COVID-19, we have worked together with our U of A Greek Life staff, Panhellenic chapters and advisors, sorority house corporations, and other partners to a structure a hybrid recruitment model that would include both virtual and in-person rounds.

The University of Arkansas Panhellenic Council will adhere to all federal, state, local, and University guidelines. Therefore, we will determine in the first week of August which of the following hybrid options will be implemented for recruitment. Our hybrid options include:

  • Plan #1: Two Virtual Rounds and Two In-Person Rounds
  • Plan #2: Three Virtual Rounds, One In-Person Round
  • Plan #3: All Virtual Rounds

Here’s Additional Information Potential New Members Should Know

  • Recruitment will be held Aug. 14-22, 2020. Bid Day is Saturday, August 22.
  • Potential New Members living on campus will need to move in to residence halls early in order to fully participate in the primary recruitment process.
  • Sorority Orientation will be held virtually on Friday, Aug. 14 at a scheduled time. More information will be shared within the weeks to come.
  • The Open House Round and Philanthropy Round will be virtual rounds.
  • Sisterhood Round and Preference Round will be in-person.  Please be mindful that in-person activities could change based on health & safety guidelines the date of the event.
  • For all in-person rounds, time will be set aside for proper cleaning and disinfecting in between each party.
  • There will be an all-virtual option for any Potential New Member who choses to complete the recruitment process without meeting in-person.
  • Masks will be required for Potential New Members and chapter members throughout recruitment.
  • All participants should practice 6-feet social distancing.
  • T-shirts will still be worn during all rounds except Preference. Potential New Members should plan to wear After Five attire for the Preference round.

Information Regarding Bid Day

  • Plans are still being finalized for Bid Day and will be shared once information becomes available.
  • Due to health and safety concerns, parents and guests will not be allowed in chapterfacilities or on sorority lawns for this year’s Bid Day celebration. Only Active Members and Potential New Members will be a part of Bid Day festivities at the chapter house.
  • Should parents visit for the weekend, it is strongly recommended that plans with your Potential New Member are made off-campus.
  • Greek Life is pleased to partner with incredible sponsors and vendors. Parents will receive emails in early August to pre-order gifts, etc. Please take advantage of this opportunity for your Potential New Member.

Please know that we are working around the clock in order to provide the best experience possible for our Potential New Members and chapters. Health & safety is our priority for all involved including Potential New Members, chapters, our staff, alumni volunteers, etc. We will continue to update our website and social media pages. We also encourage Potential New Members to check their emails periodically. We will use these channels of communication moving forward. You may also email us at gogreek@uark.edu. Finally, we are so excited about meeting each of you this fall! GO HOGS!

Sincerely,

Panhellenic Recruitment Team

Panhellenic Recruitment page

 

We are excited to make an announcement about Fall Recruitment 2020!  Due to COVID-19, IFC has worked with campus partners to structure a hybrid recruitment model that would include both virtual and in-person rounds.

Similar to women’s recruitment, the University of Arkansas Interfraternity Council will adhere to all federal, state, local, and University guidelines. Therefore, we will determine in the third week of August which of the following hybrid options will be implemented for recruitment.  Our hybrid options include:

  • Plan #1: One Virtual Round and Two In-Person Rounds
  • Plan #2: Two Virtual Rounds, One In-Person Round
  • Plan #3: All Virtual Rounds

 Here’s Additional Information Potential New Members Should Know

  • Recruitment will be held Aug. 27-30, 2020 and September 4. Bid Day is Saturday, September 5.
  • Fraternity Orientation will be held virtually on Friday, Aug. 27 at a scheduled time. More information will be shared within the weeks to come.
  • Potential New Members may send recommendation letters to fraternity houses. Please view this link for email addresses/mailing addresses. 
  • The Open House Round will be virtual.
  • House Tour and Preference Rounds will be in-person. Please be mindful that in-person activities could change based on health & safety guidelines the date of the event. 
  • For all in-person rounds, time will be set aside for proper cleaning and disinfecting in between each party.
  • Chapters will use both indoor and outdoor settings. Tents will be provided at all facilities to assist with social distancing.
  • There will be an all-virtual option for any Potential New Member who choses to complete the recruitment process without meeting in-person.
  • Masks will be required for Potential New Members and chapter members throughout recruitment.
  • All participants should practice 6-feet social distancing.
  • T-shirts will be worn during all rounds except Preference. Potential New Members should plan to wear a suit or dress shirt and pants with a blazer for the Preference round.

 Information Regarding Bid Day

  • Plans are still being finalized for Bid Day and will be shared once information becomes available.

Health and safety is our priority for all involved including Potential New Members, chapters, our staff, alumni volunteers, etc.   We will continue to update our website and social media pages.  We also encourage Potential New Members to check their emails periodically. We will use these channels of communication moving forward.  Finally, we are so excited about meeting each of you this fall!  GO HOGS!

IFC Recruitment page

 

For students interested in joining the National Pan-Hellenic Council, new members are selected by member organizations through the membership intake process (MIP) based on specific qualifications and criteria.

"Typically, chapters will share interest flyers announcing if they will be hosting MIP this fall," Bowser said. "Guidelines will come from their national organizations to help chapters coordinate a virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid new membership intake plan."

For more information about our NPHC chapters, please visit the National Pan-Hellenic Council. 

 

For students interested in joining the United Greek Council, new members are selected by member organizations through the membership intake process (MIP) based on specific qualifications and criteria.

"Typically, chapters will share interest flyers announcing if they will be hosting MIP this fall," Bowser said. "Guidelines will come from their national organizations to help chapters coordinate a virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid new membership intake plan."

For more information about our UGC chapters, please visit the United Greek Council.