Primary Fall Recruitment 2026 Logistics

Formal Recruitment 2026 will be taking place August 29th–September 8th. Please view the full schedule below for a detailed breakdown of each day and what PNMs should expect.

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES:

Mandatory PMN orientation: Friday, August 28th

T-Minus 1 day till Formal Recruitment officially begins! PNMs will learn about the Formal Recruitment process at Cal Poly and get a small insight into each sorority and their values. PNMs will also get a chance to meet their Recruitment Counselor in person and bond with the other PNMs in their RC group. This day is a way for PNMs to get any last questions/concerns out with Panhellenic or their Recruitment Counselor before they begin their recruitment journey.

Panhellenic Day 1: Saturday, August 29th

During this round, PNMs will be split into two groups. Group 1 will start on Saturday while Group 2 will start on Sunday. PNMs will visit all nine chapter houses and talk to active members at each house. After this round, PNMs will prioritize their preferred chapters in order of desirability. PNMs never “drop” a chapter – they simply focus on prioritizing specific chapters. All selections are made between the PNM and their assigned Recruitment Counselor.

Panhellenic Day 2: Sunday, August 30th

Those PNMs who did not visit chapter houses on Saturday will begin the process on Sunday. PNMs will visit all nine chapter houses and talk to active members at each house. After this round, PNMs will prioritize their preferred chapters in order of desirability. PNMs never “drop” a chapter – they simply focus on prioritizing specific chapters. All selections are made between the PNM and their assigned Recruitment Counselor.

Sisterhood Day: Saturday, September 5th

During this round, PNMs will visit max seven houses. Each house will show PNMs a sisterhood video and share meaningful stories that highlight the unique bonds among its members. After this round, PNMs will PNMs will prioritize their preferred chapters in order of desirability. PNMs never “drop” a chapter – they simply focus on prioritizing specific chapters. All selections are made between the PNM and their assigned Recruitment Counselor.

Philanthropy Day: Sunday, September 6th

During this round, PNMs will visit up to five houses. PNMs will have the opportunity to learn about each chapter’s philanthropic initiatives and the impact of the causes they support. They will also receive a financial transparency sheet to take home, outlining semester dues and providing a clear breakdown of associated costs and how funds are allocated. After this round, PNMs will prioritize their preferred chapters in order of desirability. PNMs never “drop” a chapter – they simply focus on prioritizing specific chapters. All selections are made between the PNM and their assigned Recruitment Counselor.

Preference Day: Monday, September 7th

During this round, PNMs will visit up to two houses. PNMs will have 60 minute long conversations with an active member, typically a member they have already talked to. This provides comfort and stability as it is the last chance for the PNM to get to know the chapter and their values. Actives will often share special stories and rituals with PNMs, cultivating a special and emotional experience. At the end of this round, PNMs will prioritize one chapter over the other and sign the Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA), which will be further explained to them during selections. All selections are made between the PNM and their assigned Recruitment Counselor.

Bid Night: Tuesday, September 8th

Recruitment Dictionary

NPC

National Panhellenic Conference: The umbrella body for all 26 women’s fraternities and sororities.

New Member

A member who has accepted a bid from a sorority, but is not yet an active member.

MRABA

The Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement, a one-year binding agreement signed by a PMN when ranking chapters after Preference Night. When signed, this means that a PMN agrees to accept a bid from a chapter they list.

Strict Silence

A period of time after the close of all membership recruitment events (after Preference Night) and prior to the distribution of bids where there is no communication between PMNs and sorority members.

PMN

Potential new members (all of you)

PHA / FSL

PHA is Panhellenic. Panhellenic is the council that our 9 sororities fit into. FSL is Fraternity and Sorority Life, the school department that oversees all three councils we have at Cal Poly. InterFraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, United Sorority and Fraternity Council.

RC

Recruitment conselors are sorority members who have disaffilitated from their sororities to serve as a recruitment guide. Each PMN is assigned an RC during formal recruitment.

Active

An initiated member of a chapter

Bid

An invitation to extend to a PMN offering membership into a sorority