Hillsdale College’s sorority houses added nearly 60 women during formal spring recruitment earlier this month.
Starting Jan. 14, formal recruitment of new members began with open houses in all three dorms and continued for three days. Chi Omega welcomed 16 new members, Kappa Kappa Gamma greeted 20, and Pi Beta Phi received 22 new members.
“The Greek system is strong; it is doing well,” Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell said. “This is a testament to three healthy houses.”
After formal recruitment ended, the sororities gained more members by continuous open bids, or COBs, intended to help average out the size of the houses by extending bids to women who have expressed interest in joining a house but did not attend formal recruitment, Dell said. Chi Omega extended four COBs, Kappa Kappa Gamma offered one COB, and Pi Beta Phi gave out two COBs. Dell said the bids could continue indefinitely, but they will probably be accepted or rejected by Friday.
President of Kappa Kappa Gamma Maria Theisen said she was surprised to see the general interest in the Greek system as a whole, a possible effect of the coordination between the three sororities in the fall homecoming competitions, she said.
“This year in particular was really great, because of how many girls were interested in joining the system rather than individual houses,” Thiesen said. “From the conversations that were had, the girls are interested in making the Greek system better.”
Dell said the Greek system creates a community of diverse interests.
“Sororities are unifying factors,” Dell said. “They bring 83 women from all over campus into one gravy, a mini-picture of the whole campus in one house.”
Hannah Schultz, a freshman Pi Phi pledge, said she found that aspect appealing.
“I really liked the sisterhood aspects and lifelong connections that form as result,” she said.
Senior Catharine Pearsall, who joined Chi Omega her sophomore year, said sorority sisters become family.
“I see a lot of girls looking for a community,” she said. “A lot of the girls are far from home, so a lot of them are excited about joining.”
