What to Expect

The health, wellness and safety of potential new members are our top priorities when planning recruitment each year. There are several key pieces of information meant to ensure that all potential new members have a positive recruitment experience. 

 

Attendance

For Formal Recruitment, Panhellenic Council requires potential new members to attend all chapter events on their schedule. Members must be available for the entire day during published times, though they will receive a schedule at the start of each day. We understand some things might arise, and can accommodate conflicts such as family emergencies, illness and classes or exams. This does not include concert tickets, sporting events or work.  

Excused absences are limited to academic or athletic conflicts, illness or family emergencies. If your excused absence is only missing part of the day, complete the Primary Recruitment Excuse form after registering for recruitment and we will schedule around it. If your absence means you will miss a whole round, we will not be able to adjust and you should not sign up for formal recruitment. Unexcused absences will result in immediate removal from recruitment.   

For Continuous Open Bidding, event attendance is more relaxed and potential new members can decide what events they'd like to attend. Please work directly with chapters if you are interested in attending an event but have a conflict. 

During fall 2025, recruitment is over a football game day. If you miss parties due to attending the game, you will be removed from recruitment. Attending the game is not an excused absence and will not be counted.  

If you run into a conflict during recruitment, please contact Panhellenic and we will do our best to reschedule you. Email panhellenic@colorado.edu or all 303-492-7172. 

 

Financial Information

Membership in a Panhellenic sorority includes specific requirements. It is important to understand that joining a sorority involves a financial commitment. Review financial transparency information.  

This information is provided to potential new members to promote transparency within the Panhellenic community during the recruitment process. 

 

Recruitment Rules

Panhellenic recruitment is strictly alcohol- and substance-free. Potential new members found under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances during recruitment will be dismissed. All potential new members must adhere to the code of ethics. We aim to maintain a safe, respectful environment. Disrespectful behavior can result in dismissal. 

Additional rules: 

  • Sorority members cannot take potential new members to any events before Bid Day (e.g., fraternity parties, church events, private parties).
  • No gifts are to be exchanged.
  • Active members must not make comments that imply a bid.   

Report any violations to your Rho Gamma (recruitment counselor). You won’t get in trouble, but we need to ensure accountability and a positive experience. 


Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) 

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) is a formal contract that potential new members commit to when making their selections during the final stage of recruitment. 

The MRABA is a binding agreement effective for one calendar year. By signing this document, you, as a potential new member, agree to accept an offer of membership from any sorority ranked on the MRABA. 

Please be aware that if you receive an invitation to membership (a bid) from any sorority listed on your MRABA, you are obligated to that group for one calendar year. Importantly, if you receive a bid from a sorority on your MRABA and choose not to accept it, you will be ineligible to participate in continuous open bidding (COB) in the spring. 

Signing the MRABA  

If you receive an invitation to the preference round, you will make your final selection at the conclusion of your last event. At this point, you will rank the chapters you visited in order of preference. Upon completing your rankings, you will sign a copy of the MRABA. Once the MRABA has been submitted to a representative of the University of Colorado Boulder Panhellenic Association, it cannot be modified. 

Prior to signing the MRABA, several options should be carefully considered before making your decision. 

MRABA options 

You may opt not to complete the MRABA, thereby withdrawing from recruitment. If you select this option, you remain eligible to accept a bid from any sororities participating in continuous open bidding, though it is not guaranteed that all chapters will participate. 

You may list any sorority whose preference event you attended and from whom you are prepared to accept a bid. It is crucial not to rank a sorority on your MRABA unless you are fully willing to accept their bid. If matched with a sorority you have listed, you are bound to that sorority for one calendar year, regardless of whether you formally accept their invitation. 

You may choose to limit your options to a single sorority whose preference round event you attended and from whom you are willing to accept a bid. Understand that if you select this single preference option, there is no guarantee of receiving a bid. Only those who maximize their choices by listing all chapters attended during the preference round are assured a bid during primary recruitment. 

Letters of recommendation 

A recommendation for recruitment is a form or letter from a sorority alumna suggesting a potential new member. These letters help sorority members learn about potential new members before primary recruitment. 

Each National Panhellenic Council sorority has its own policy on references. Some accept recommendations and personal forms, while others do not. As of 2021, many have made these letters optional. 

At CU Boulder, recommendation letters are optional and do not guarantee event invitations or membership. If you can't get a recommendation, don't worry—sororities will manage necessary information.  

To understand a chapter’s recommendation process, check their national headquarters. Recommendations come from sorority alumnae who know you personally. If you don't know any alumnae, contact your local alumni Panhellenic association for help. 

We encourage you to move forward with recruitment even if you have not secured letters of recommendation for all or any of the chapters on campus. 

Recruitment Recommendation Contacts