The Monmouth University Panhellenic Council hosted its third annual Bingo Night on Friday Nov. 20 in Anacon Hall to give underclassmen an opportunity to meet members of the Panhellenic community.
The room filled with excitement and laughs as dozens of women came together for a fun night filled with bingo, prizes, and an opportunity to get a step closer to finding their home in the Greek community. Each of the six sororities on campus attended the event as well as six representatives from each organization. Throughout the night, everyone in attendance was able to play several rounds of bingo with the chance to win gift cards and other prizes.
After each round, an organization was invited to the front of the auditorium to illuminate some of the important aspects of their organization. Each spoke about their chapter’s colors, mascot, and founder’s day, and more importantly their philanthropy, values and their importance to the chapter.
“Bingo night, as well as the other events that Panhellenic organizes for the potential new members, are a great way for the girls to learn about the different sororities and their philanthropy, values, etc. so that way they know a little bit of background information on the different chapters before going through formal recruitment,” said Emily Rodrigues, a senior English education student and Membership Vice President for Alpha Xi Delta.
“Having fun, yet meaningful events such as bingo are for women who may have their doubts about what people in sororities do or for women who want to learn more. It is also a great opportunity for the women who are in the organizations to come together and celebrate why they are a part of their own organizations,” said Mel Lewis, the Programming Assistant for Fraternity and Sorority life on campus.
Bingo Night and similar events planned by the Panhellenic Council are a great way for students on campus to gain insight at what sorority life is like while giving Greek organizations the opportunity to break down the stereotypes surrounding the Greek community.
“Coming to an event like sorority bingo helps to make girls feel more comfortable being around women in these Greek organizations, which can ultimately help them decide if going Greek is the right choice for them,” said Victoria Wright a junior psychology student who is also the Recruitment Team Workshop Coordinator for the Panhellenic Council.
Formal spring recruitment is a three day long process in which students travel to each sorority on campus in hopes to ultimately find their home in an organization that matches their values. Registration for spring recruitment can be found on the University’s website under Fraternity and Sorority Life.
“Recruitment can be nerve-racking so getting to know people before going through can really help girls concentrate on why they want to join a sorority not why their so nervous,” said Rodrigues. “My advice for anyone going through formal recruitment would be to be yourself and follow your heart. I know it sounds cheesy but at the end of the day, joining a sorority is for life so go for the one you see yourself being a part of for the rest of your life, not the one your roommate or whoever convinced you to join.”
