Open bid season for FSL

BRONWYN MCALINDON
STAFF WRITER

2/12/2024

From the beginning of the Winter ‘24 semester to mid-February, the opportunity to join a fraternity or sorority at Alma College is reawakened in the Continuous Open Bid (COB) period. Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) is a great way to get involved on Alma’s campus, and COB is perfect for those who missed out on recruitment in the fall. 

There are five sororities and five fraternities at Alma College. They give students the opportunities to take on leadership roles and participate in philanthropy as well as a way to find a home on campus.  

There are two opportunities each school year for an individual to join a sorority or fraternity organization. One of these periods is COB, which takes place at the start of the winter semester and after formal recruitment which occurs in the fall.  

Those interested in joining a fraternity or sorority at Alma College can attend recruitment events during this period. These events are opportunities to meet all the fraternities and sororities that Alma offers. COB events start at the beginning of January and continue through mid-February.

“I would describe [COB] as kind of like a light dive right into the chapter and [it feels] like you’re already in number to be able to see that light in a less formal [and] structured way,” said Hannah Peitsch (‘22), Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership at Alma College.

There are more events being held throughout the month of February to get to know the fraternities and sororities of Alma College. 

“Coming up on Feb. 17 we are having our second COB recruitment event. It is a honeycomb craft event, and it ties into the Bee Relaxed theme of our first event,” said Kylee Lary (‘25), Panhellenic Delegate for the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.  

There are many opportunities for students to get involved with leadership in FSL, from the Panhellenic Council, Inter-Fraternity Council and other chapter-wide leadership opportunities. FSL is an adventure that allows students to have the chance to achieve leadership opportunities.  

“[FSL] actually does help your grades and that’s proven time and time again; every time I pull grades they show that being in a fraternity and sorority actually helps your grades whether it’s the building up from your members or being able to connect in classes,” said Peitsch.

There is also a new opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements made by members of fraternities and sororities on campus. Members now have the opportunity to apply to join the Order of Omega, which is a new FSL organization on campus that works as an honorary. 

There are other opportunities throughout the year to join fraternity and sorority life at Alma. The best way to learn about FSL and get involved is to go through the recruitment period in the fall semester. This recruitment period is a full week dedicated to getting to know the respective fraternities and sororities and learning about them to find the best fit between an organization and a person.  

Fraternities and sororities at Alma College are fun ways to get involved on campus. They offer a space with many opportunities to express yourself through philanthropy and find a great group of people in the process. Continuous Open Bidding is one way to have the chance to join one of the FSL organizations on campus.