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.


Maddie Buschman

Welcome fellow Lakers!

As you embark on your journey here at Grand Valley, I encourage you to focus on your studies and explore all of the possible opportunities GVSU has to offer you. The National Panhellenic Council (NPC) is a great place to start. Home to 26 different sororities, we are proud to have nine of those unique sororities on our own campus. Within these nine chapters, we collectively have about 700 Panhellenic sisters. Every individual adds something unique to not only their chapters but also to our whole community. Our wonderful nine chapters each possess their own constantly encourage and assist our sisters to strive to improve leadership opportunities. As a community, we are constantly encouraging and assisting our sisters to strive to do better in every aspect.

Reflecting upon my Grand Valley journey, I couldn’t imagine the past three years without this community. Going through recruitment as a freshman during Covid times was unusual but a saving grace because I was able to find this fantastic community. Being a part of the Panhellenic community has given me limitless opportunities, an abundance of leadership skills, and more friendships to create hope for. I now have the privilege to lead this community alongside an amazing group of Panhellenic women from many of our chapters. I hope to grow our community with women who embody our values in hopes to create a more diverse, inclusive, hardworking, respectful, and genuine community of women. I have been given three priceless years as a Panhellenic woman, and I intend to spend my last year being able to foster that same experience for those to come after me. I can’t wait to help you find your home away from home!

Maddie Buschman

2023 Panhellenic President

Hello future Lakers!

On behalf of the Panhellenic executive board, I am so excited for you all to join our wonderful sisterhood. When becoming a member of the Panhellenic community here at GVSU, you are provided countless opportunities that can help advance your future. Going to college is a huge adjustment and a big transition, and many, including myself, may feel lost at times and may need some guidance on their next steps. However, by joining a sorority, you have so many women who will be happy to help guide you with these next steps and help create the best college experience you can have. Joining a campus organization can change your life.

Joining Greek in the fall of 2020 was one of the scariest but most exciting decisions I have ever made. As a freshman, not knowing many people, I was excited to branch out and find a new home here at Grand Valley. All nine outstanding chapters here are very welcoming with open arms to all eligible women by inviting them to join a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime. 

Friends turn into family by surrounding yourself with a community devoted to empowerment, helping each other through hard times, and becoming the best version of ourselves. When you are a sorority woman, you will find numerous women with the same values and morals and can express your true self too.

Our Panhellenic women sisters have gained so many unique experiences and memories in academics, service, leadership, friendship, and personal growth. Through recruitment, we hope to offer you all of these opportunities to leave your mark and turn Grand Valley into your new home away from home. We hope that you will leave with friendships that will last a lifetime and so many unforgettable memories.

Krista Wohler

2023 Vice President of Recruitment 

Krista Wohler

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!

Information on the formal recruitment process that will occur in Fall 2024 will be released during the Spring 2024 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.



Page last modified February 19, 2024