Maggie Helms
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

Despite making the transition from virtual to in-person recruitment, there was a decrease in women registered for Murray State’s sorority recruitment as opposed to last year.

While both the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) have experienced little to no loss in interest, Pan-Hellenic numbers have dropped significantly. Last fall, 222 women registered for 2020 recruitment, whereas only 174 registered for 2021.

Though numbers were down on a national scale, Murray State’s Student Affairs Staff and Pan-Hellenic Council are considering the potential reasons for this decline.

Murray State’s coordinator of Greek Life and student leadership programs, Kim Newbern, said several factors could have led to the decrease in numbers.

“It could be anything from people not wanting to participate during COVID,” Newbern said. “And then also financial, being Greek is not cheap.”

With cases of fraternity and sorority hazing reported on a national level, hazing can also be a deterrent for those considering joining Greek life.

“Parents send their kids to school to get an education, not to bring them home in a body bag,” Newbern said.

According to the Student Life Handbook, hazing is prohibited everywhere on campus. Any student who participates in hazing is subject to disciplinary action.

The pandemic may have also initiated hesitation concerning high-pressure social events such as sorority recruitment among the upcoming generation of students.

“People are just not used to interacting with people anymore. The last two classes are socially neglected,” Newbern said.

As society attempts to regain normalcy, students are hesitant to get involved with extracurricular activities. Many people have developed social anxiety over quarantine. Students are afraid to step outside their comfort zones.

“People just don’t know how to socialize very well anymore,” said Vice President of Recruitment for Pan-Hellenic Jamie Black.

Sorority recruitment is a five-day process where potential new members talk to active members from different sororities. For many, this can be intimidating. 

Black has also ruled the low numbers as social apprehension due to the pandemic. People have become a little bit more introverted, Black said.

In the past, recruitment week has taken place the week before school starts. Pan-Hellenic had to push recruitment up because of  2021 fall housing and move-in dates.

“It played a role with our numbers dropping once recruitment started,” Black said.

Many found themselves overwhelmed with classes. Black encourages women to put their academics first.

Some decided to wait and go through the less formal recruitment process in the spring. At the end of the week, 137 girls accepted sorority bids—ushering them into Murray State Greek life.

Murray State is among many schools to see a decrease in numbers. The Pan-Hellenic recruitment software program shows that with the exception of Louisiana State University and Arkansas, campuses are down by the hundreds. 

“I think all chapters performed great this recruitment, considering our numbers that we had,” Black said, reflecting over that hectic week. “I think it was the PNM’S and the times that we are in.”