ASU Greek Life leaders reflect on a successful fall recruitment

Though many ASU sororities and fraternities have rolling recruitment, the start of the fall semester is always a very active time for Sun Devils to join Greek Life through one of the more than 70 Greek-lettered organizations at Arizona State University. 

In fall 2019, fraternity and sorority life experienced a growth of approximately 12% across all five governing councils: the Multicultural Greek Council, the National Pan-hellenic Council, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association. In total, more than 5,600 Sun Devils participate in Greek Life at ASU. 

Three councils collaborated to hold a recruitment event in August, the Cultural Greek Open House, where MGC, NPHC and NALFO organizations gathered to talk to students and also showcase their steps and strolls onstage. 

Alejandro Barrientos, a senior studying electrical engineering at ASU, is the MGC president and said his favorite part of recruitment is watching unaffiliated students in awe over the performances at their open house. Barrientos was inspired to join Sigma Lambda Beta after seeing his brother join the group and be active in community service and leadership. He highly recommends the experience to other Sun Devils. 

“Greek life is one of the most interesting and fun cultures I have ever been a part of. Whether it be a traditional or cultural Greek organization, you will find something to enjoy alongside your Greek brothers, sisters and siblings,” Barrientos said.

Elizabeth Rodriguez, the NALFO chair, is a senior majoring in criminology and criminal justice with a minor in social welfare. She joined the Lambda Theta Nu sorority because she wanted to be involved in a supportive community and make a positive impact on ASU. 

“One thing I remember from my own recruitment was attending all the tabling events and getting to see what values each organization had. The Greek community has always been very welcoming from the start, and it continues to be today,” Rodriguez said. 

“If I were to talk to someone interested in Greek Life at ASU, I would tell them to really take a look around and see which organization that would really make a good fit. It's important to join an organization where the relationships are not forced but rather come naturally. Greek life is a big commitment and it’s important that you feel at home in the organization that you are a part of,” Rodriguez said.

For the Panhellenic Association, the recruitment process culminates in Bid Day after a process that entails interviews, meetings and online applications. A record number of women registered for Panhellenic sorority recruitment, and on Sept. 3 Bid Day took place at the Greek Leadership Village, with 1,200 women receiving bids to join the community.

Maddy Bergstrom, a senior majoring in political science with a certificate in civic education and a minor in business, is the president of the Panhellenic Association and a member of Sigma Kappa. She said planning and organizing recruitment is a big but rewarding task. 

“There were so many amazing women who joined our community, and it was a rewarding experience to help them find the chapter in our community that was best for them,” Bergstrom said. 

Bergstrom was the first in her family to join a Greek organization, and she was drawn to the community partially because she is an out-of-state student. She wanted to find a way to get involved and have unique leadership experiences.

“I remember feeling somewhat nervous to go through recruitment – it can be an overwhelming process, but I am so glad I chose to get involved. I was able to make friendships and connections early on that helped to make a big school feel smaller and was able to quickly take advantage of the many opportunities offered through Greek life.”

Follow ASU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life channels for updates on spring Greek recruitment.