Panhellenic Association
The Grand Valley State University Panhellenic Association oversees and governs NPC sororities at GVSU. They work to promote cooperation, communication, and unity among the sororities, while also fostering a positive image of the sorority community both on and off campus. The Panhellenic Association also plans and coordinates formal sorority recruitment, establishes and enforces community standards and policies, and provides educational programs and resources for sorority members. Additionally, the Panhellenic Association may organize philanthropic events, social activities, and leadership opportunities for its members.
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Welcome everyone!
On behalf of our 9 Panhellenic chapters, welcome to the Grand Valley Panhellenic Association! My name is Bee Scannell, and I am the 2025 Panhellenic President.
As you begin, or continue, your journey at Grand Valley, I encourage you to explore all of the amazing opportunities that GVSU has to offer. I am beyond excited about your interest in the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) which consists of 26 total chapters.
Grand Valley is so lucky to have nine of these sororities, offering a home to around 700 Panhellenic sisters. Each of our chapters offers a supportive, inspirational, and empowering environment that flourishes members' experiences here at GVSU. Our sisters are encouraged to strive to improve in academics, leadership, service, and sisterhood - offering a stronger, safer, and more inclusive environment and sisterhood that is GVSU Panhellenic.
Panhellenic sisterhood has been such a formative experience for me! Being part of the community has opened so many doors in my personal, academic, and professional life and has made me feel so loved and supported! Going through recruitment and joining a chapter has opened my eyes to true friendship with other collegiate members and made me a stronger, more effective leader.
I have been given the privilege to lead this community alongside a remarkable group of Panhellenic women who are part of many of our chapters. Our hope is to continue to grow our community with women who embody our values, so we can continue to offer a community of inclusive, hardworking, driven, kind, and genuine women. I am beyond grateful for all this community has offered me in my time thus far, and I am beyond excited to foster this experience for the generations to come. I’m delighted to help you find your home away from home!
Bee Scannell
2025 Panhellenic President
Hey There Lakers!
The GVSU Panhellenic Executive Board is so thrilled to welcome you to our amazing sisterhood! We know starting college is a big adventure, full of questions and exciting new things, so why not add the fun of sorority recruitment? Whether you're a bright-eyed freshman or a transfer student looking for your place, joining a sorority can make your college years extra special! It's a chance to connect with incredible women who totally get what you're going through and can help you navigate this exciting new chapter.
Our community is all about creating a warm, welcoming, and empowering space where everyone can shine - personally, academically, and socially! Being part of the Panhellenic community opens up a world of opportunities to help you strive for success and build an amazing future. Joining a sorority can truly transform your college experience and create memories that will last a lifetime.
I know joining a big group like Panhellenic might seem a little scary (it totally did to me back in 2023!), but trust me, it's also so exciting! When I went through recruitment, I was looking for a home away from home, a place to connect with older students who could answer all my college questions. All nine of our fabulous GVSU Panhellenic chapters welcomed me with open arms and gave me a peek into the magic of sorority life and sisterhood.
In a sorority, new friends become family, and you'll have a strong, supportive community to lean on, no matter what. Our chapters are all about empowering each other and making a difference – in academics, friendship, service, and leadership. We'd love for you to join us and connect with other amazing women, build real friendships, and create memories you'll cherish forever!
Lilly Epley
2025 Vice President of Recruitment
Panhellenic Recruitment
Informal Recruitment / Continuous Open Bidding
Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal process that allows women to join a sorority outside of the primary recruitment period. COB occurs during the fall and winter semesters and serves as an opportunity for women to join participating Panhellenic sororities. Only eligible chapters may participate in COB so the number of chapters is subject to change each term. If a chapter is not participating in COB, they are not permitted to hold events or issue bids during this time. COB events are less structured and more casual compared to the formal recruitment process. Throughout the COB process, sororities will host events or individually meet with interested women and extend them a bid for membership. To be eligible to participate in COB or receive a bid, you must meet all eligibility requirements. If a woman accepts a COB bid and signs a MRABA (membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement) she is ineligible to accept a bid from another Panhellenic organization for one year. Informal recruitment is a great way to join the Panhellenic community if you missed out on formal recruitment. Be sure to check out our chapter's social media to see if they are participating in COB this semester!
Learn more about Winter Recruitment by visiting our page!
Information on the formal recruitment process that will occur in Fall 2025 will be released during the Spring 2025 semester.
Panhellenic Governing Documents
List of Panhellenic Association Sororities
Alpha Omicron Pi - Lambda Eta Chapter
The object of Alpha Omicron Pi Women's Fraternity shall be to encourage a spirit of Fraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times for character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty; to strive for and support the best interest of the colleges and universities in which chapters are installed, and in no way to disregard, injure, or sacrifice those interests for the sake of prestige or advancement of the Fraternity or any of its chapters. We are inspired and committed to our founding principles and are guided by the following values: trusting and respecting each other, building lifelong friendships, contributing time, talent and financial resources, promoting integrity, developing leaders, striving for excellence, encouraging innovation and creativity, using teamwork and collaboration, acting philanthropically, and being a living example.
Founded Nationally: January 2nd, 1897
Founded at GVSU: May 6th, 1989
Alpha Sigma Alpha - Zeta Tau Chapter
The purpose of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority is to foster close friendships between members and to develop women of poise and purpose. The vision of Alpha Sigma Alpha is to cultivate values and ideals in women who are known for their character and concern for others. Alpha Sigma Alpha inspires women to lead, to serve and most of all to make a difference. Alpha Sigma Alpha promotes high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among our four aims of intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development. Alpha Sigma Alpha provides opportunities through: Sisterhood forming strong bonds of unconditional friendship based on common values and experiences; Heritage expressed through creed, ritual and history; and Leadership and Service enhanced by chapter, campus and community involvement.
Founded Nationally: November 15th, 1901
Founded at GVSU: March 27th, 1999
Alpha Sigma Tau - Gamma Xi Chapter
Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority is committed to developing scholars, philanthropists, leaders and sisters among our collegiate and alumnae members. The Sorority strives to have a cooperative relationship with our host colleges and universities as we educate our members on who we are as Alpha Sigma Taus. Alpha Sigma Tau promotes the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members, specifically: to develop the character of each member through a study of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships sincerity, honesty, love and understanding; to help each member enjoy the cultural advantages in life so that she will know how to select those things which are most worthwhile; and to develop in each member the social graces to the extent that she will be able to take her place in life with true dignity and poise.
Founded Nationally: November 4th, 1899
Founded at GVSU: April 13th, 1991
Delta Zeta - Xi Psi Chapter
The purpose of Delta Zeta Sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters. We share a common purpose: to make life fuller, more meaningful, more rewarding.
Founded Nationally: October 24th, 1902
Founded at GVSU: October 14th, 1989
Gamma Phi Beta - Eta Delta Chapter
The mission of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority is to inspire the highest type of womanhood. Our vision is to build women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world around us. We promote lifelong commitment, intellectual and personal growth and service to humanity. We perpetuate our heritage as we commit to the growth of our Sorority. We foster enduring friendships. We advocate ethical behavior, respect, authenticity, accountability, and integrity. We aspire to excellence in all that we do.
Founded Nationally: November 11th, 1874
Founded at GVSU: December 4th, 2010
Phi Mu - Rho Eta Chapter
Phi Mu Women's Fraternity is a women's organization that provides personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendship through a shared tradition. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living, encouraging members to achieve their personal best. Phi Mu Fraternity is a vibrant values-based women's organization. Our purpose is found in the principles of love, honor, and truth.
Founded Nationally: March 4th, 1852
Founded at GVSU: December 6th, 2008
Phi Sigma Sigma - Iota Iota Chapter
The mission of Phi Sigma Sigma Women's Fraternity is to inspire the personal development of each sister and perpetuate the advancement of womanhood. Our vision is to be a dynamic sisterhood of powerful women fostering uncompromising principles, igniting positive change and embracing individuality. We are a dynamic, principled, passionately committed group of women from around the world who define ourselves not by our distinct differences, but by what we have in common.
Founded Nationally: November 26th, 1913
Founded at GVSU: April 14th, 2007
Sigma Kappa - Kappa Beta Chapter
The purpose of Sigma Kappa Sorority is to provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities. Our values are personal growth, friendship, service, and loyalty; bound by a promise.
Founded Nationally: November 9th, 1874
Founded at GVSU: January 27th, 1996
Sigma Sigma Sigma - Epsilon Gamma Chapter
The purpose of Sigma Sigma Sigma is to establish among its members a perpetual bond of friendship, to develop in them strong womanly character, and to impress upon them high standards of conduct.
Founded Nationally: April 20th, 1898
Founded at GVSU: April 14th, 1984
Fraternity & Sorority Life is a part of the Office of Student Life, which is a department of the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University.