REYNA EDWARDS
STAFF WRITER
1/23/2023
Winter recruitment for Fraternity Sorority Life (FSL) is getting into full swing at Alma College. The winter semester holds the informal recruitment period and the fall semester holds the formal recruitment period.
Informal recruitment is often called the Continuous Open Bidding (COB) period.
Panhellenic council held an event on Jan. 21 for potential new members (PNM) that will help them learn more about sorority life. This event was held in the Alan J. Stone Center for Recreation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There were crafts and games for PNMs during this event.
“Come to any event and meet everyone. This semester we are really trying to host more events for the campus community. If you are interested, just attend any events that FSL organizations are putting on. Philanthropy events are always fun and go to a great cause,” said Dylan Kast (’24), the Interfraternity Council President.
FSL organizations are a way to get involved on campus and make new friends. “When I came to Alma, I was not involved in anything and didn’t have a lot of friends. I ended up going to a PR event for a sorority. Since then, I received an open bid and made so many lifelong friends,” said Sofia Lowe (‘25), the Alpha Xi Delta Membership Vice President.
“I’ve gotten to have a great support system of friends that will last me well beyond college years, but on top of that I get to feel like I’m part of something bigger than me and can see differences in the world around me being made,” said Kia Blysniuk (‘25), Kappa Iota Recruitment Chair.
Navigating FSL recruitment can be nerve-wracking for PNMs, but COB is a lot less stressful than formal fall recruitment.
“Formal fall recruitment can be pretty stressful with multiple rounds and all the sororities and fraternities throwing themselves at you all at once. I think informal recruitment is a lot more laid back, and we get to reach out to people who never even considered joining but find themselves falling in love with their organization of choice,” said Blysniuk.
A COB period also benefits FSL organizations because they have more opportunities to meet PNMs. “A benefit of informal recruitment, instead of formal recruitment, is that we are allowed to host more events. The PNMs have more opportunities to get to know us because of this. During formal rush week, we are only allowed two events per chapter. Informal recruitment doesn’t have that limit,” said Jade Harbert (’23), Zeta Sigma President.
There are many ways to get involved with FSL. “Looking out for any FSL events that are open to non-Greek students and going to… recruitment events [are great ways] to get involved with FSL. Emailing the organization’s Public Relations person is another way to get involved because they will be able to give any information you need,” said Lowe.
FSL organizations are a lifelong commitment for many of the members. “There are many long-term benefits to joining FSL, but the big one for me is the brotherhood. I ha ve formed a relationship with my brothers that will last for the rest of our lives. After we have all graduated from Alma College, we will still be in touch,” said Harbert.
“I probably sound like a broken record, but the major benefit of joining FSL is having a group you can fall back on even after you have graduated and are long gone off this campus. I wouldn’t trade my Kappa Iota family for the world,” said Blysniuk.
