Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join a sorority?
To join a sorority, you must be a full time undergraduate student, as defined by the college or university you attend. In order to become a member of a sorority, you must participate in a recruitment process where you’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the chapter and learn more about the sorority. For more information pertaining to recruitment, click here.
Does everyone get a bid?
The purpose of the recruitment process is to find what is the best fit for both you and the sorority. The reality is that not everybody who goes through recruitment finds a match, but every effort is made to provide opportunities for involvement to any young woman who is interested in the sorority experience.
What if I discover the sorority I’ve selected is the wrong one for me?
Once you’ve accepted a bid to a sorority, the 6 week new member process is designed to make sure you are ready to make the life-long commitment to Phi Sigma Sigma. If before initiation you decide that you are not ready for the commitment, you can break your pledge from the organization.
If you truly think that the sorority to which you received a bid is the wrong group for you, you should make that decision before you are initiated. Once you are initiated into an NPC organization, you are ineligible for membership in any other NPC organization. Going through initiation is a way to show that you are ready for a life-long commitment to your group.
You are a social sorority, what does that mean?
We are often asked to define the difference between a social sorority and a service sorority.
Yes, we hang out with fraternities, yes we like to socialize, but the purpose of a social sorority is what truly defines us. Most of the college students today have learned how to interact with their peers based not on face-to-face encounters, but through text messaging, Skype, instant messenger and, of course, Facebook. At the University of Minnesota Duluth, this has resulted in a lot of students who have trouble making friends, eat lunch alone in the Dining Center, and who stare at the floor walking to class. As a social organization, we choose to intentionally prepare our members, as a primary purpose, to become the best versions of themselves. By practicing social inclusiveness, teaching leadership, and providing opportunities to serve the campus and community, we hope to inspire and develop the leaders of tomorrow.
Will I get hazed?
Our chapter can proudly say that we do NOT haze. We believe in power together, not power over. Hazing is not tolerated by our UMD campus nor the NPC (National Panhellenic Conference). If you have concerns about hazing, you should speak with a representative of Greek Life on campus. Hazing can be reported anonymously at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
What are socials?
Socials are a great way for new members to get to know their sisters and other members of various organizations on campus. Usually, our socials with fraternities fall on various Wednesday evenings throughout the year. For new members, the cost of socials are included in their dues, active members typically will not have to pay any more than $10. Some examples of socials are: pumpkin carving, bowling, bonfires, roller skating, laser tag, ice skating, and much more!
What if I can't drive/don't have a ride to the socials?
Sisters love to carpool - it might have something to do with our love of singing (or trying to sing) our favorite songs at the top of our lungs. Those sisters who are willing to drive others to and from events usually pull up outside of Lake Superior Hall and wait for everyone to fill the cars. Don't think that we aren't willing to pick you up if you live off campus - with the number of sisters we have, chances are someone lives relatively close to you!
How hard is it to balance sorority life and academics?
Everyone is different when it comes to time management. Talk to some of the sorority women in our chapter to find out the time commitment required at each chapter. Many sorority women are able to manage sorority responsibilities, jobs or internships, academics and involvement in other campus organizations. Many Greeks have also said that they have acquired time management skills through their greek org.
Is there a sorority house?
Unfortunately due to Duluth city laws, we are unable to have a sorority house. However, this does allow for the cost of dues to be much more affordable.
How much does it cost to be in a sorority?
Being in a sorority is like all other membership organization and does require a payment of dues. This money is used to fund the operations, social events, and programming for the chapter. It also allows the inter/national organization to continue to provide resources and support for the chapter. For more specific information on our dues, use the contact form to reach out to our MRC.
Where do you get the clothing with your letters?
We order clothing with our letters on it every fall and spring semester. The ordering chairmen put together an ordering form with a variety of apparel and accessories and the individual chapter members gets to choose if/what they want to order. Clothing is NOT required, however, it is hard not to buy anything! Clothing is not a cost that is calculated in your dues, it is an additional cost if you would like to purchase anything.
My parents want to know more about the sorority.
Our Parent's chair is responsible for keeping in contact with parents through a parents blog. She creates newsletters for our parents to inform them about Phi Sigma Sigma and all that we have been up to. They also plan the Parent's Weekend that happens every fall and includes a formal banquet!
Can I still go to events during Parent's weekend even if my family can't come?
Absolutely! Parent's or "Family" weekend is for all sisters to enjoy spending time with each other and their families :).
To join a sorority, you must be a full time undergraduate student, as defined by the college or university you attend. In order to become a member of a sorority, you must participate in a recruitment process where you’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the chapter and learn more about the sorority. For more information pertaining to recruitment, click here.
Does everyone get a bid?
The purpose of the recruitment process is to find what is the best fit for both you and the sorority. The reality is that not everybody who goes through recruitment finds a match, but every effort is made to provide opportunities for involvement to any young woman who is interested in the sorority experience.
What if I discover the sorority I’ve selected is the wrong one for me?
Once you’ve accepted a bid to a sorority, the 6 week new member process is designed to make sure you are ready to make the life-long commitment to Phi Sigma Sigma. If before initiation you decide that you are not ready for the commitment, you can break your pledge from the organization.
If you truly think that the sorority to which you received a bid is the wrong group for you, you should make that decision before you are initiated. Once you are initiated into an NPC organization, you are ineligible for membership in any other NPC organization. Going through initiation is a way to show that you are ready for a life-long commitment to your group.
You are a social sorority, what does that mean?
We are often asked to define the difference between a social sorority and a service sorority.
Yes, we hang out with fraternities, yes we like to socialize, but the purpose of a social sorority is what truly defines us. Most of the college students today have learned how to interact with their peers based not on face-to-face encounters, but through text messaging, Skype, instant messenger and, of course, Facebook. At the University of Minnesota Duluth, this has resulted in a lot of students who have trouble making friends, eat lunch alone in the Dining Center, and who stare at the floor walking to class. As a social organization, we choose to intentionally prepare our members, as a primary purpose, to become the best versions of themselves. By practicing social inclusiveness, teaching leadership, and providing opportunities to serve the campus and community, we hope to inspire and develop the leaders of tomorrow.
Will I get hazed?
Our chapter can proudly say that we do NOT haze. We believe in power together, not power over. Hazing is not tolerated by our UMD campus nor the NPC (National Panhellenic Conference). If you have concerns about hazing, you should speak with a representative of Greek Life on campus. Hazing can be reported anonymously at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
What are socials?
Socials are a great way for new members to get to know their sisters and other members of various organizations on campus. Usually, our socials with fraternities fall on various Wednesday evenings throughout the year. For new members, the cost of socials are included in their dues, active members typically will not have to pay any more than $10. Some examples of socials are: pumpkin carving, bowling, bonfires, roller skating, laser tag, ice skating, and much more!
What if I can't drive/don't have a ride to the socials?
Sisters love to carpool - it might have something to do with our love of singing (or trying to sing) our favorite songs at the top of our lungs. Those sisters who are willing to drive others to and from events usually pull up outside of Lake Superior Hall and wait for everyone to fill the cars. Don't think that we aren't willing to pick you up if you live off campus - with the number of sisters we have, chances are someone lives relatively close to you!
How hard is it to balance sorority life and academics?
Everyone is different when it comes to time management. Talk to some of the sorority women in our chapter to find out the time commitment required at each chapter. Many sorority women are able to manage sorority responsibilities, jobs or internships, academics and involvement in other campus organizations. Many Greeks have also said that they have acquired time management skills through their greek org.
Is there a sorority house?
Unfortunately due to Duluth city laws, we are unable to have a sorority house. However, this does allow for the cost of dues to be much more affordable.
How much does it cost to be in a sorority?
Being in a sorority is like all other membership organization and does require a payment of dues. This money is used to fund the operations, social events, and programming for the chapter. It also allows the inter/national organization to continue to provide resources and support for the chapter. For more specific information on our dues, use the contact form to reach out to our MRC.
Where do you get the clothing with your letters?
We order clothing with our letters on it every fall and spring semester. The ordering chairmen put together an ordering form with a variety of apparel and accessories and the individual chapter members gets to choose if/what they want to order. Clothing is NOT required, however, it is hard not to buy anything! Clothing is not a cost that is calculated in your dues, it is an additional cost if you would like to purchase anything.
My parents want to know more about the sorority.
Our Parent's chair is responsible for keeping in contact with parents through a parents blog. She creates newsletters for our parents to inform them about Phi Sigma Sigma and all that we have been up to. They also plan the Parent's Weekend that happens every fall and includes a formal banquet!
Can I still go to events during Parent's weekend even if my family can't come?
Absolutely! Parent's or "Family" weekend is for all sisters to enjoy spending time with each other and their families :).
