As Fraternity Row is abuzz this week with banners advertising pizza and chicken wings to lure prospective members into fraternity's homes, Sorority Row looks like business as usual.
But don't let the absence of white tents and decorated hats fool you. Sorority spring recruitment is as alive and active as ever.
Jessica Layne, a UF public relations junior and president of UF's Panhellenic Council, which oversees UF's social sororities, said several chapters would participate in an informational forum for potential new recruits at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Graham Gallery.
Another forum will take place at 6 p.m Jan. 22. in Broward Basement.
The council refuses to release names of individual houses participating until the first forum, Layne said.
"A different number of houses participate each year for their own unique reasons," she said. Not all sororities are looking for new members.
The involved chapters set up "mini houses" in the Reitz Union where students interested in joining sororities can meet the different chapters' members in an informal environment, Layne said.
The council doesn't charge a spring application fee like in fall. This accounts for a much lower budget, which means less publicity, she said.
"Because we are not as actively pursuing women as we do in fall, the participants tend to be much more eager and interested, which makes for a really successful recruitment," she said. About 100 UF students participated in spring recruitment in 2007.
"The important thing is that these women find a sisterhood where they belong, no matter what time of year it is," Layne said.
