Greeks and Geeks: Zoom Upholds Sorority Tradition at Santa Clara

Sororities use Zoom to recruit new members amidst the coronavirus pandemic

With restrictions on gatherings still in place because of the coronavirus, Santa Clara’s Panhellenic group was forced to move their most recent recruitment online to Zoom. 

Formal recruitment for the five sororities of Santa Clara Panhellenic starts at the beginning of October every fall. Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma all recruit 20 to 30 women each year to join for social, philanthropic or business connections. 

Panhellenic President Alina Pincombe was concerned about the number of girls rushing as only 60 girls signed up for recruitment two weeks before it took place. However, in the final days before the deadline, over 100 girls registered, giving a total of 230 girls who were committed to going through the online sorority recruitment. This amount is similar to the number of girls who come out to sorority recruitment in a normal year.

It is unexpected to have such a demand for joining a sorority during a pandemic, especially if students are not living on campus and are still uncertain as to when they will first meet their new sorority in person. Also, it may seem pointless for some to pay dues to be in an organization that has been reduced to a Zoom meeting.

Aria Carlston, Kappa Alpha Theta’s alternate Panhellenic Delegate, remarks that sororities extend beyond just on-campus meetings and in-person events. “You have to understand that sororities are a community,” said Carlston. 

Carlston mentioned that even though sororities are unable to hold in-person events, many of the people she relies on for support and guidance are still there, from the familiar faces in Zoom lectures that they share with women in their chapter, to the girls she lives with who she met through her sorority. 

Liz Konecny of Kappa Kappa Gamma feels similarly about her sorority. She admits that facing months of quarantine alone can be tough and her sisters offer connection over the common struggle of the pandemic, and it helps them stick together better than ever before. 

“We all need more support than usual,” said Konecny. This basic connection has become even more significant now that there is no connection to campus. 

Pincombe believes that this is the very reason so many girls have taken an interest in rushing online. 

“They just want to be a part of something that feels Santa Clara,” said Pincombe. 

Many of the women rushing from the class of 2024 did not have a high school graduation and are still at home for their first quarter of college, feeling like they are in high school just with different online classes. Through joining a sorority, they get to meet more people who are not just their professors on Zoom and finally feel like they are going to a university. 

“Potential new members just want to feel connected to an on campus experience and Greek life can provide a great network of students, whether it is from social and academic connections or just plain old life advice,” Pincombe said. 

With the help of their national organizations and Santa Clara Panhellenic, the five sororities were able to give bids to approximately 180 students. With lowered dues, and more and more creative ways of meeting on Zoom, it seems quarantine has not stopped sororities and their popularity in Santa Clara’s community. 

Historically, Greek life has been known to propagate classism and white supremacy through its high dues and legacies. When Black Lives Matter was trending earlier this year, each of the five sororities posted on social media in solidarity with the movement, but they have not publicly addressed how they plan on reaching the women who traditionally feel excluded. 

Pincombe admits that no matter what the personal convictions of each individual of the chapter are, or how much fundraising Panhellenic can raise, nothing can retract the privileged and elitist roots that deny minority students access to Greek Life. She explained that she hopes to create resources to introduce diversity and support into the Greek system, although didn’t provide further details on what these resources are.

As for the individual sororities themselves, they have also been taking some action. 

Kappa Alpha Theta has removed its former honoring of legacies, as they traditionally have encouraged the exclusion of groups who have not always been welcomed into their organization. They have also added a diversity chair as part of their executive team to educate and support the chapter as it continues its attempt to diversify.  

Although meeting friends on Zoom was not in the minds of any of the first-years and sophomores who rushed this year, they nonetheless have taken initiative to become a part of Greek life at Santa Clara to feel a part a collegiate community and reap the support that persists, even amid a global pandemic.