On the night of Sept. 4, 1,346 campus women began the same process: sorority recruitment.

Some sorority members say it’s a process that can shape a woman’s college life.

“There’s a lot going on and a lot of decisions that could change your college experience,” said Lizz Brann, vice president of recruitment for Panhellenic Council and senior in LAS. “There’s a lot of tradition.”

The recruitment tradition consists of a multi-step process that lasts about 10 days. The second invite of the formal recruitment process begins Friday night.

An ‘overwhelming’ process

It’s an intimidating process for those who are just beginning, said Maggie Gradala, sophomore in LAS. Gradala went through recruitment last year before accepting a bid from a sorority.

“I came from Missouri not knowing anyone at this school,” Gradala said. “And at first, it’s a little overwhelming.”

The University has the largest Greek system in the country, Brann said, and many recruitment participants are shocked by the sheer numbers of women they encounter.

“It’s just very overwhelming to walk into a sorority house with sometimes 100 women singing and clapping,” Brann said.

The overwhelming atmopshere seemed to calm down a bit by the first invitational, said Michelle Smith, freshman in LAS, who is going through recruitment.

“The third day was more relaxed than the first two,” Smith said. “They got past the basic questions like ‘What’s your major,’ and really started getting to know you.”

Gradala likes that the selection process is mutual: women prioritize sororities as they go through the process, and at the same time, sororities evaluate participants and begin to choose who they want as members.

Trained recruitment group leaders guide the women through the process, sometimes offering emotional support to those who are unsure of whether or not they want to continue.

“It’s an emotional process and (the leaders) are able to help them calm down their emotions and guide them to clearer thinking,” Brann said. “Most people, if they want to go through recruitment are going to find a way to go through.”

Usually, 75 percent of women who register continue until the end of the process, said Lisa Moore, assistant dean of students. Those who do complete all stages of rush will be asked to join one sorority on Sunday at Bid Day.

“I really know how much work goes into it now, and it’s more than you would expect,” Gradala said. “But it became fun for me. I enjoy it overall.”

Writing a new chapter

Though the Greek system is already large, a new sorority is coming to campus this year.

Still, Alpha Xi Delta is not entirely new to campus. It had a chapter here from 1905 to 1995, said Heather Haroff, educational leadership consultant for the sorority. In May 2005, the sorority system’s governing body, Panhellenic Council, invited Alpha Xi Delta to become a chapter here again, she said.

“U of I wants new chapters to combat large chapter sizes here,” Haroff said. “Some chapters are way up there in the high hundreds, and there’s problems with large chapters. It makes it more personal with a smaller chapter.”

Alpha Xi Delta participated in the first open house of formal recruitment. From that point on, the sorority will separate from formal recruitment and follow its own schedule, Haroff said.

“(Alpha Xi Delta) is here just to add to the Greek system,” Brann said. “They’re not here to compete or take anything away.”

Although existing sororities do not see the presence of Alpha Xi Delta as competitive or detrimental, the new sorority is changing what established groups can do after the formal process ends.

“Other chapters will not be allowed to recruit for a two week period between Sept. 14 and 28,” said Ashley Dye, assistant dean of students for fraternity and sorority affairs. “It was agreed upon in the spring to give Alpha Xi Delta a chance to get members.”

During those weeks, Alpha Xi Delta will be holding informal recruitment events, Haroff said. On Sept. 28, the sorority will offer bids to its first recruitment class.

“We’re looking for enthusiasm with women who want to take it and make it their own,” Haroff said.

Maximizing options

Having another sorority also gives another option for women who did not feel they fit in with any of the groups participating in the formal process, Brann said.

Exploring options and keeping an open mind are important tips for women looking to join a sorority, said Moore. Even with 145 more people participating in recruitment this year than last year, Moore said everyone who takes advantage of all the options available will be able to find a home.

“As long as a girl maximizes her options as she goes through the recruitment process, then she will be matched to a chapter,” Moore said.