Girls from the sorority chapters on campus disaffiliate from said chapters every summer, in the name of recruitment- here’s why we do it.
When deciding to apply to be on College of Charleston’s Panhellenic Council for the year of 2014, I wasn’t really thinking so much about how, if I got the position, I would have to disaffiliate from my chapter. I was thinking more about how I wanted to meet girls from the other sororities, be involved in making some of the bigger decisions, and to be a representation of my chapter to the rest of Greek Life.
Since I was lucky enough to receive the job as the Vice President of Communications, I have gotten to do all of the above- but I’ve also gotten to realize the value and importance of cutting myself off from my chapter ties, in the name of formal recruitment.
After having served on the Council for the past semester, and being two months into the disaffiliation process, I’ve realized how integral it is. While all the girls planning recruitment for their chapters are putting 110% into making sure their chapters shine the brightest they can, our Pi Chis and the Panhellenic Council are focusing on the potential new members. We are making sure that they get the best experience possible, that they are following their hearts completely, and that the process pays off for them in the long run, by rewarding them with loyal and compatible sisters come Bid Day.
Disaffiliation is no joke to sorority women. I’ve had plenty of people outside of the organizations asking me why it’s so important that I can’t wear my letters, even just to the grocery store. I’ve made all my social media private, and deleted all evidence of my affiliation. And come August, when the real work begins and everyone returns to Charleston, I’m going to have to distance myself from my sisters until August 18th, even though I haven’t seen many of them in over three months. It’s a sacrifice- but a worthy one.
I mentioned Pi Chis earlier- for those who may not know the term, these are the women selected from their chapters to be advisors, counselors, and mentors to the potential new members coming into rush. For many potential new members (PNMs), they are entering into a completely new world when they come to kick off their freshmen years by going through recruitment. It’s scary, it’s stressful, and it is very often lonely. Pi Chis have the responsibility of alleviating that unnecessary loneliness and stress from the new members’ experience. Disaffiliating from their chapters in one of the main ways they do so.
By eliminating any bias towards their own chapters, they are able to guide their group of PNMs into making the best choices for each of them individually. We don’t want a girl joining a chapter because her new friend wants to as well, or because she loves her Pi Chi and thinks she is that affiliation. We want that girl to join the chapter she clicks with, the chapter that she feels most comfortable talking with, the chapter that makes her feel at home.
All of the girls who have chosen to be Pi Chis and serve on the Panhellenic Council, hence go through disaffiliation, have all done so for various reasons. However, we do all have one common tie- we’re looking out for the PNMs. We remember what it was like in their shoes, and we’re working tirelessly to make formal recruitment 2014 the best in CofC’s history.
Personally, I can’t wait to reveal my letters to y’all next month, and be able to become a part of my chapter again. But that’s all in due time- for now, I can’t wait to get out there and talk to some lovely potential new members about how sorority life is the best choice out there.
